Chaturagiri is in Tamil Nadu,India and is a mysterious Hill, where a Shiva Temple nestles among verdant forest.
Even in this modern age, it is a difficult terrain to travel.
There have been credible reports of paranormal activity in this Hill,
Of one being able to feel the Siddhas presence, following Pilgrims,floating in the air,mysterious sounds reminding one of chanting mantras,
Sathuragiri is home to many Siddhas.
Many Siddhas, both formless and with form, perform their penance in Sathuragiri
It takes about two days to trek the Hill, can be done in day but it is tedious.
Cave of Gorakka, a Siddha is here.
There are also the footmarks of a Cow in Hill, presumed to be made by the Divine Cow, Kamadhenu.
Legend:
The divine place Sathuragiri is surrounded by four hills, hence its name Sathuragiri or Chathuragiri.
It is said that the name Sathuragiri is derived from the Sanskrit word Chathur meaning FOUR.
Surrounding Hills form the Shape of a square, Chaturam in Tamil means Square.
Other names for Chaturagiri.
Mahalingagiri, Menugiri/Merugiri, Kailasagiri, Indiragiri, Sarvalogagiri, Suriyagiri, Brahmagiri, Siddhagiri, Yamagiri/Yemagiri, Sivagiri, Sakthigiri,
Udayagiri, Sanjivigiri/Sathuragiri.(Siva Puran)Sathuragiri
Legend:
Footmark (hoof-marks) of the divine/celestial/Indira Loga cow “Kamadhenu”.
Once upon a time, a devotee was on his way to Sathuragiri. In those days only a few people used to go to the hills, as it was thick forest with lots of wild animals. Since being new to the hills he soon got lost in the thickly populated mountains. Seeing this the Lord asks Kamadhenu, the divine cow to help his devotee and bring him back to the correct path. Kamadhenu immediately appeared before the devotee and lead him to the correct path. After bringing the devotee to the correct path, Kamadhenu, being a divine cow, had to travel back to its heavenly abode. In the process, of starting to fly, Kamadhenu gave pressure to her legs and the pressure was so immense that her hoofs left an indelible mark, that can be seen even today.
Gorakunda (Goraknathar Cave)
Goraknathar is one of the foremost important Indian Siddha. He is part of the 18 siddha tradition of South India. He is also one amongst the Nava Nath Siddha tradition of North India. He is also closely associated with Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism. He attained Siddha by mastering sound. The main siddha of Sathuragiri is Goraknathar. Goraknathar created thousands of new siddha medicines like Kayakalpa etc to attain immortality. Every 10th in the Tamil Calendar he appears in light form to his devotees at this place. On every no moon day Sri Kalimuthu Ashram offers a lingam made of Thinai Maavu and the same is worshipped.
How to reach.
By Air. Madurai.
Nearest Railway Station. Srivilliputtur,,Madurai,Virudhunagar,Theni
Bus station.Srivilliputtur,Madurai,Virudhunagar,Theni.
At the foothills (Vathirairuppu)
1. Vinayagar/Ganesha
2. RajaKali Amma
3. Paechi Amma
4. Karuppasamy
Of these, Paechi Amma and Karuppasamy were installed by Siddhars for guarding the southern side of the Hill.
On the way to Sathuragiri (after foothills till Sundara Mahalingam):
1. Two sanctums of Sivalingams inside two separate caves at Kora Kunda (Gorakkar Cave)
2. Two Lingams in a single sanctum called “Irattai Lingam” or Sankaran Narayan Lingams (Legend given below)
3. Vana Durgai Amma
4. Pilavadi Karuppasamy
Pilavadi Karuppasamy & Kali, are the guardian angels/gods of the Sathuragiri Hills. Vana Durgai Amma is the guardian of Sundaramahalingam temple.
They safe guard the area from evil forces. The pradistai of these three guardian angels/gods were done by the Siddhas of Sathuragiri hill.
Sathuragiri plays host to three temples. They are Sundara Mahalingam temple, Santhana Mahalingam temple and Anandavalli Amma temple.
Sundara Mahalingam Temple:
1. Sundara Murthy Swamigal Sanctum at the entrance of the temple .
2. Lord Sundara Mahalingam Temple (100 metres from Sundara Murthy Swamigal Sanctum)..
Santhana Mahalingam Temple:
1. At Santhana Mahalingam Temple, separate sanctums for 18 Siddhars, Lord Ganesha,
Lord Muruga, Navagrahas, Santhana Mahadevi (Sakthi), and Santhana Mahalingam (Sivam) are available. Satta Muni Cave can also be found nearby. (Legend given below)
.
Anandavalli Amma temple:
1. Anandavalli Amma’s temple mandapam can be found behind Sundara Mahalingam temple. Anandavalli Amma is formless.
Only during Navarathiri she takes a form (Legend given below).
Puja Timings:
At Sundara Mahalingam temple the daily pooja starts by 6 ‘o’ clock in the morning.
At Santhana MahalingamTemple the daily pooja starts by 3 ‘o’ clock in the morning.
The two jama poojas are performed before sunrise. At both the temples Ardha Jama Poojas are finished before 18.00 hrs and closed. On full moon and new moon days, the puja schedule changes according to the visit of pilgrims.
- Post Monsoon season is advisable for visiting Chaturagiri,
- Sri Kalimuthu Swamigal Madam or Kanji Madam (Mob no: 93610 11741) provides place for people to stay. Check the Mobile number.
- Barest facilities available.
- Round the clock Anna dhaanam is served at the Kanji Madam Ashram near Sundara Mahalingam temple.
- Travel light, carry breakfast/lunch, water bottle, snacks, torch-light, batteries, charger and a few clothing, bedding, toiletries etc.
- Head load carriers are available for carrying luggage
- Doli available..
- There are no wash rooms on the way, as it is a forest area.
- Do not travel alone. travel with a guide.
- Ammavasya and Pournami days would be crowded.
- The darshan timings for Sundara Mahalingam starts at 6 am and ends at 6 pm.
- Sandhana Mahalingam starts at 3 am
Citation.
Images.
http://hill-temples.blogspot.in/2009/03/sathuragiri-mahalingam-temple.html
Related articles
- Sathuragiri – The Land of Myth (exploredinesh.wordpress.com)
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