Ramalingampatti Sri Pathala Sembu Murugan Temple, Dindigul

Introduction

Ramalingampatti Sri Pathala Sembu Murugan Temple is in Bhogar Nagar, Ramalingapatti, Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu. It enshrines the deity, Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and the sibling of the elephant-headed deity, Ganesha. As the presiding deity here, he has the name Pathala Sembu Murugan. The shrine is surrounded by mountains like the Western Ghats and Devarmalai and is near the Murugan temple in the Palani hills.  

Legend of Pathala Sembu Murugan Temple

Murugan is the patron deity of Tamils. A Tamil saying goes, “Kundirukkum idamellam Kumaran", which means that Kumaran/Murugan is usually found in hilly places, which are above the ground. But in this temple, Murugan graces his devotees in Patalam meaning ‘under the ground’. The temple is in an underground cave. The deity here supposedly grants many boons to his devotees, and hence, the temple is quite popular among devotees of Murugan. According to legend, Siddhar Bogar created the statue of Balakumaran in Palani using Navapashanam to ensure the good health of the devotees. Bhogar was the disciple of Sage Agastya. Bhogar had a disciple named Thirukovilur Siddhar, who many people believe was an avatar of Bhogar. It was Thirukovilur Siddhar who installed the idol of Murugan in this temple and worshipped him here.  

The temple is a renowned Parihara Sthalam, where people can perform remedies to mitigate the negative effects of the planets in their horoscopes. Thirukovilur Siddhar made a one-and-a-half-foot-high idol of Muruga using a mixture of 5 metals - gold, silver, copper, iron, and lead. It was worshipped in the underground cave and was given daily Abishekam to make the body strong.

A few hundred years after the Siddhar’s time, Gandhamaran, who was a descendant of Bhaskara Sethupathi, the ruler of the Ramanathapuram principality, realized the glory of the idol and took the initiative to perform Poojas at the temple. Later, many devotees came together to build a new temple and performed Kumbabishekam.

Special Features of Pathala Sembu Murugan Temple

The temple is believed to be 1000 years old. It is an east-facing temple, and at the front, one can see the guardian deity Sangi Karuppasamy standing majestically. The idol is 15 feet tall. Selva Vinayagar graces devotees in the front hall. In the Artha Mandapam, Kalabhairava graces the east. From here, a path of 18 steps leads to the sanctum sanctorum, which is 16 feet under the ground. Near the temple, one can worship Easan (Shiva) as Jalakandeswarar. On Pradosham days, special ablutions and poojas take place. Special Poojas for Muruga are held daily.

The temple has a goshala or cow shed where cows are given shelter. Devotees also perform Go Daan (cow donation) at the temple to remove bad karma.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Pathala Sembu Murugan Temple

The vibhuti given as Prasad at the temple is believed to have divine qualities. Worshipping at the temple is believed to alleviate the adverse effects of planets like Guru, Shukra, Shani, Surya, and Ketu. Hence, this temple is famous as a Sarva Dosha Nivarthi Sthalam, where all planetary Doshas can be remedied. Devotees are also given Karungali mala (necklace) and Karungali vel which have been blessed by the deity. These can supposedly remedy the negative effects of Kuja (Mars).

People who seek a better position at work and favors from government authorities visit the temple and make offerings for the same.

Devotees visit the temple and pray for progeny, blessings, prosperity, and courage. They also offer vastras (garments) and ornaments to the deity.

Festivals

Purattasi Brahmotsavam, Skanda Shasti, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Magham, Vaikasi Visakam, Thiru Karthikai, Vaikunta Ekadashi and Sravana Deepam are some of the festivals celebrated here.

The temple opens at 6 am and closes at 8 pm.