திருமலை முத்துக்குமாரசுவாமி திருக்கோவில் / Thirumalai Muthukumaraswamy Temple

Thirumalai Kovil is a Murugan temple located in Panpoli, Sengottai, in the Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu, South India. Situated about 100 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the temple is perched on a small hill surrounded by the Western Ghats near the Kerala border. The presiding deity in this temple is known as 'Thirumalai Muthu Kumaraswamy' or 'Thirumalai Murugan'. It is considered to be the Nakshatra temple for individuals born under the Vishaka star. The local population in this region often bears the name 'Thirumalai' due to the influence of the temple's deity. Additionally, there is a separate shrine dedicated to the goddess 'Thirumalai Kaali Amman' within the temple complex. Previously, devotees had to reach the temple by foot as it was the only means of access. The temple is renowned for its considerable number of steps, totalling 624. Surrounded by coconut plantations and small villages, the temple is situated in a place called Panpozhi, approximately 100 km away from Thiruvananthapuram. The closest town is Tenkasi, which is situated 20 km from the temple. Prominent devotional and spiritual poets, such as Arunagirinathar and Achanputhur Subbaiah, have composed numerous poems praising the deity 'Thirumalai Kumaraswamy Murugan'. Arunagirinathar, in particular, wrote the Thiruppugal in admiration of Thirumalai Murugan. Kavirasapandarathiaya and Thandapaniswamigal are other renowned poets who have sung in favour of Thirumalai Kumaran in their poetic works, such as "Thirumalai Kumaran Pillai Thamil". Notable compositions include Thirumalai Murugan Kuravanji, Thirumalai Murugan Nondinadagam, and Thirumalai Karuppan Kathal. Works like Thirumalai Murugan Anthathi, Thirumalai Kumara Swamy Alankarapirabantham, and Thirumanimalai Thiruthalattu further celebrate Thirumalai Kumaran's fame. The temple commemorates various festivals throughout the year, including the Step festival during the first of Tamil Chithirai in April, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Karthikai float festival in November-December, and Thai Poosam in January-February. This article elaborates on the facts of the temple.