Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple

Introduction to Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple

Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple is a sacred hill temple in Vathirayiruppu village (Watrap), near Srivilliputhur, Tamilnadu. People also call it Sivan Malai since Shiva supposedly lives in the hills. There are two temples at the top of the hill, Sri Sundara Mahalingam Temple and Sri Santhana Mahalingam Temple. Sathuragiri Hill is one of the most popular and mystical places in south India that attracts devotees and nature lovers. "Siddhargal Boomi" is another name for it.

The name "Sathuragiri" is derived from the Sanskrit. "Chathur" means 'four,' and "Giri" means 'hills'; supposedly, this is where all four Vedas meet and are unified. It is also said that the hills are square (Chathuram) in shape, hence the name Sathuragiri.

Legend of Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple

The legend of the Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple is interesting. According to it, Shiva once disguised himself as a devotee and came to this temple. When Shiva started speaking to the priest, he informed Shiva that the temple and the surrounding area belonged to the landlord. But Shiva claimed that the temple and surrounding area belonged to him. To prove it, Shiva asked the priest to take the extent of land that he needed. The priest replied that he would blow the conch. The land to which extent the sound could be heard would become a part of the temple. The sound traveled to a large extent. The disguised Shiva disappeared from the place when the priest looked for him. Since the genuineness of the priest pleased Shiva, he appeared before the priest and granted him that extent of land.

It is believed that the Sathuragiri Hill was the abode of Athiri Maharishi and his wife, Anusuya Devi.

The Architecture of Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple

There are many shrines on the way to the Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple. Devotees worship Ganesha, Rajakali Amman, Pechi Amman, and Karuppa Swami at the foothills of Sathuragiri Hills, Vathirairuppu (Watrap). Of these, Siddhars installed Pechi Amman and Karuppa Swami to guard the southern side of the hill.

Sundara Mahalingam Temple lies at the summit, where a Swayambu Lingam is inclined 40 degrees to the left. It is called Anidai Lingam, which means the Siddhas worship it.

Anandavalli Amman is formless. Her temple is behind Sundara Mahalingam temple. She takes form only during Navaratri. Two festivals are celebrated to honor Anandavalli Amman. The first falls in Purattasi, and the second falls during Navaratri.

Devotees have to make an upward trek for 15 minutes to reach Santhana Mahalingam Temple. It enshrines sanctums for 18 Siddhars, Ganesha, Muruga, Navagrahas, Santhana Mahadevi (Shakti), and Santhana Mahalingam (Shivan). Devotees worship this Sandalwood Lingam to attain Moksha. Satta Muni Cave is near the temple.

Two separate caves at Kora Kunda (Gorakkar Cave) enshrine two Shiva Lingams. Devotees can see two Shiva Lingams in a single sanctum called "Irattai Lingam" or Sankaran Narayan Lingams. Pilavadi Karuppa Swami and Kali are the guardian deities of the Sathuragiri Hills. Vana Durga is the guardian of Sundara Mahalingam temple. All of them protect the area from evil forces. The Siddhas of Sathuragiri Hill performed the consecration of these three guardian deities. Sathuragiri accommodates three temples: Sundara Mahalingam Temple, Santhana Mahalingam Temple, and Anandavalli Amma Temple.

The Akasha Ganga River flows from above the Santhana Mahalingam Temple, which separates the two temples into two sides of the banks. The distance between these two temples can be covered in 15 minutes.

Atthiootru, Maangani Ootru (Maavuthu), Arjunaa River, and Naval Ootru are the sacred Theerthams one can see when hiking up.

From the main Sundara Mahalingam temple to the top of the hill, devotees can visit the shrines of Vana Durga, Oonjal Karuppa Swamy, Korakkar Scripture Rock, Vellai Ganapathi, Nadu Kattu Ganapathi, Naga Kanni Kaavu, Ganesa at Thavasi Cave, Periya Mahalingam and Gorakunda (Goraknathar Cave). Goraknathar is the main Siddha of Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple. He discovered and developed numerous Siddha medicines like Kaya Kalpa for immortality. It is said that every 10th day of the month in the Tamil calendar, he appears in the form of light to his devotees here. Sri Kalimuthu Ashram offers Thinai flour as Prasadam to the devotees on every Amavasya.
The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE) manages the Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple.

Trekking in Sathuragiri Hills is a popular activity; it covers over 8 Km. The trail to the apex starts at Thanipaarai (base of the hill). Devotees are offered Annadaanam at Ashrams, and they can get essential items. The elderly and physically disabled persons can visit the Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple by hiring Dolis (human carriers) from the base of the hill.

Festivals in the Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple

The Sathuragiri Hills Shiva Temple celebrates various Hindu festivals such as Chithirai festival, Vaikasi Visakam, Aani Thirumanjanam, Aadi Tirupadi Pooja, Margazi Thiruvathirai, Maha Shivratri, Aadi Amavasai, Thai Amavasai and Pradosham (bi-monthly).