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Parvathamalai

By
Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran
About the Author:
Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer.
He regularly contributes articles on Management, Business, Ancient
Temples and Temple Architecture to many leading Dailies and
Magazines. His articles for the young is very popular in The Young
World section of THE HINDU.
He was associated in the production of two Documentary films on
Nava Tirupathi Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple in Tamilnadu.
His books on Hindu Saints, and Temples of Pilgrimage centers have
been well received in the religious circle. His book Guide to
Chennai a comprehensive Guide is popular amongst tourists
visiting the city.

Acknowledgement:
Google for the pictures and several authors for the information of the
temple.
Called South Kailash, Parvathamalai is close to Thenmadhimangalam,
(15 km from Polur and 37 km from Tiruvannamalai) in Tamilnadu.
Parvatham means mountain and Parvatha Malai as it is called,
connotes Hill of Hills or Queen of Hills. Parvathamalai presents
eight different shapes from eight directions around the hill
Reaching the top of Parvathamalai is an arduous task. It is a vertical
mountain over 4,000 feet in height that has iron rod steps, track steps,
ladder steps, and sky steps not found at other such sacred mountains.

The Kadapaarai Pathai

section of the climb up of the hill, is considered to be the toughest part
of the trek. This part which is punctuated by iron rods drilled into the
rocks and chains to assist during the sharp ascent is only wide enough
to accommodate one-way traffic. Thus one has to raise ones voice
from the bottom of this section and wait for acknowledgement from
the other end before starting to climb the Kadapaarai Pathai section.
 Unlike other hills,
Parvatha Malai Cliff presents a wonderful sight when viewed from
different angles. It portrays eight different shapes from eight
directions around the hill. The view from the top of the hill is splendid
and one can have a panoramic view of the landscape below (when
there are no clouds) for up to even 50 kms.

The sight of the rising and

setting sun from the hilltop is a rare one to enjoy more than that at
Kanyakumari.
One has to trek through 6 small hills to reach the top of Parvatha
Malai, which is the seventh. It is said to be synonymous to the 6
Chakras in the human subtle body. The Mooladhara chakra or
Kundalini climbs up and after crossing six other Chackras, joins with
the seventh Sadasivam or Sahasradhara chakra.
About 3/4 of the hill route is through thick forest via treaded foot path
where on both sides one can enjoy the smell of Himalayas rare
herbs. There are no wild animals or any poisonous insects on the way
and people of any age can climb up the hill with will power. So far
in the history of Parvatha Malai, there is no record of any visitors or
devotees falling down and meeting with death.

The history of Parvathamalai is interconnected with that of the famed

Sri Mallikarjunar Temple at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.

The encompassing legend goes as under:

Sage Siladha performed severe penance on Lord Shiva seeking a

boon to have children. Two sons were born to him, Nandhi and
Parvathan. One day Sanakadhi Rishi called on the sage and said that
Nandhi would live on earth only for a short while. As a result of this
prophecy Siladha fell into grief. Nandhi assured his father by saying
that he would win over death by his penance on Lord Shiva.

Pleased with Nandhis penance, Lord Shiva appeared and made the
young child His vahana (vehicle) and passed the order that devotees
should come to Him only after being allowed by Nandhi. Nandhis
place of penance at the foot of the hills at Sri Mallikarjunar Temple at
Srisailam is also known as Nandiyal. His brother Parvathan also
performed penance on Lord Siva and became the hill Parvatha Hill
Parvathamalai.

One of the legends associated with Parvathamalai states that when

Lord Hanuman carried Sanjeevini hill to revive Laxman a piece of
Sanjeevenimalai fell at this spot. For this reason this particular area is
famous for various herbs and shrubs which can cure the deadliest
diseases. It is not just herbs that can cure disease but it is thought that
the breeze alone from the Hill wafting through the plants and
shrubbery is enough to help cure illnesses.
There is a legend at Parvathamalai associated with the two saints
Guru Namasivayam and Guhai Namasivayamwho were to later
reside on caves on Arunachala Hill. However when Guru
Namasivayam and Guhai Namasivayam stayed on Parvathamalai,
they accidentally cooked and ate an unknown herbal leaf (known as
Karunochi Siddha Medicine) and regained their youth forever.

Another legend associated with this sacred site recounts that when
Lord Siva returned from the Himalayas to South India, He stepped on
Parvathamalai on His way to Arunachala.
At the summit of the Hill is the Mouna Guruswamy Ashram It is said
that 2000 years ago great yogis (Siddhas) constructed a Temple at the
top of the hill for doing meditation. However a record (Malai Padu
Kadaam) shows that King Maa Mannan who was ruling that area,
during the year 300 A.D used to visit a Temple (at this site) frequently
and worship Lord Shiva and the Goddess.
 At night times Jyothi (brightness)
can be witnessed on the cheeks of Goddess Brahmarambika. This is a
rare phenomenon which is not witnessed in other temple. When the
devotee recedes back from the deity, (sanctum sanatorium), the size
of the deity appears to increase in size instead of diminishing and is
seen as if the deity steps up forward and approaches towards the
devotee. One has to see it to believe it!
While worshipping when camphor is lit up before Lord Malligarjun
and viewed from a distance, the images of serpent, trident and drum
appears in the camphor light. When a devotee Chants OM mantra
sincerely 108 times before the Lord Malligarjun in the Sanctum
sanatorium, he or she can clearly hear the Silent whisper of OM
mantra from behind.

It is believed that several Siddhars still live in small natural caves all
along Parvatha Mallai hill and they give dharshan to few lucky
devotees. Since they move in subtle bodies it will be difficult to
have their dharshan with the naked eye. Only with the power of the
third eye (Gnanakkan) any sincere devotee can at times witness the
presence of Siddhars. These Siddhars often take on mortal (gross)
bodies to facilitate viewing them e.g., in the form of vegetation, birds,
animals and very rarely in human form. Though unable to see them in
physical form sometimes devotees spot them out on the hills by the
smell of fragrance like camphor, agarpathi, or sambrani which the
Siddhars carry around them. At times, it is a rare sight to have
dharshan of three kites (kazhugus) making rounds over the cliff of
Parvatha Malai, as is witnessed over Thirukkazhukundrum temple
hilltop. These kazhugus are believed to be Siddhars giving
dharshan to the devotees taking on the form of birds. Some times
Siddhars also give dharshan to sincere devotees in the form of honey
bee, bairavar (dog), and guides them the path while trekking up the
hill or or stepping down.

It is believed that these Siddhars visit the temple on the top of

Parvatha Malai at midnight to worship the presiding deities there.
Though no one can or have seen them in physical bodies, villagers
around the Parvatha Malai down below say that they can clearly
hear the sound of ringing bells, blowing conch, drums beating,
exactly at mid night when the pujas are performed by Siddhars.
This sacred place as it is under 30 kms from Arunachala is also
infused with Arunachalas radiating spiritual power.
This is a place vested with a lot of spiritual power. Kanchi Sri
Sankaracharya saw the hill in the shape of Shiva lingam. He saw the
hill as God and doesn't want to keep his foot on the hill and just went
around the hill worshiping it.
Increasingly as the fame of Parvathamalai spreads, many devotees
and pilgrims visit and climb the hill to worship at the Temple on the
summit in order that they may attain bliss and enlightenment. Food
packs, drinking water, torchlight and woollen shawl also have to be
taken with them.

The place attracts trekking enthusiasts from all over the country