Temples Near Tiruvannamalai: Vilvarani Nakshatra Murugan Temple - History, Timings & How to Reach

About Vilvarani Nakshatra Hill Murugan Temple

Sri Sivasubramania Swamy Temple at Vilvarani, also known as Nakshatragiri or Nakshatra Hill, is a renowned Murugan temple in the Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is believed to be around 1,200 years old and is regarded as a sacred place of worship for all 27 Nakshatras.

Lord Murugan, along with Valli and Deivanai, is worshipped here. One of the distinctive features of the temple is the presence of Lord Murugan in a Swayambhu form. The sanctum is traditionally associated with the combined presence of Lord Shiva and Lord Subramania, with the deity depicted with a Naga ornament.

The temple is also traditionally regarded as a place where the 27 Nakshatras and the sacred serpent worship Lord Murugan. Devotees therefore consider Vilvarani Nakshatragiri an important spiritual and parihara sthalam associated with the 27 Nakshatras.

Spiritual Significance of the Temple

According to the temple`s traditional history, Lord Murugan worshipped Lord Shiva at several places in the region. Fourteen Shiva temples are associated with this tradition, with seven temples located on each side of the Cheyyar River.

It is believed that Lord Murugan established and worshipped Lord Shiva at places including Kanchi, Kadaladi, Mambakkam, Mathimangalam, Elathur, Guruvimalai and Poondi on one side, and Vasudevanpattu, Oranthavadi, Narthampoondi, Nellimedu, Mottupaalayam, Pazhankovil and Mandakolathur on the other.

These 14 temples are traditionally associated with the worship performed by Lord Murugan.

How the Temple Was Discovered

According to the traditional account, two Sivacharyas used to worship at several Shiva temples in the region. They also regularly travelled to Tiruttani to worship Lord Murugan on Krithika star days.

One year, they were unable to travel to Tiruttani for the Aadi Krithika festival. They were deeply disappointed.

That night, Lord Murugan is believed to have appeared in both of their dreams. He told them not to feel sad about being unable to visit Tiruttani and revealed that He was present at Nakshatragiri Hill in a Swayambhu form associated with Shiva and Subramania.

He is said to have told them that the 27 Nakshatras and the Naga worshipped Him there continuously. He then instructed them to reach the hill from the Chandrapushkarani spring at its foothills, where a Naga would guide them.

The two priests woke up and set out during Brahma Muhurta. They followed the Naga to the place indicated on Nakshatragiri Hill. There, they are said to have found Lord Murugan manifesting in a Swayambhu form among the vegetation.

Another traditional account states that the priests found a Swayambhu Linga protected by a snake. The snake is believed to have transformed into a statue resembling an umbrella over the deity. The priests then erecected a small shelter and began performing worship.

Over time, an idol of Lord Murugan with His consorts Valli and Deivanai was installed. The idol was designed with the Naga positioned above the Lord`s head, symbolising the traditional account of the serpent providing shade to Lord Murugan.

Temple Festivals

Several festivals and special observances are celebrated at the temple throughout the year. Important occasions include:

- Chithirai Tamil New Year Pal Kudam Abhishekam

- Aadi Krithika festival

- Kanda Sashti festival

- Karthigai Deepam

- Thai Krithika

- Panguni Uthiram Brahmotsavam

- Monthly Krithika celebrations

The Aadi Krithika festival is considered particularly important. The temple also celebrates a 10-day Panguni Uthiram festival, during which Lord Murugan is traditionally taken down from the hills on the fifth day. The temple car festival is held on the seventh day.

Devotees also traditionally perform a circumambulation of Nakshatragiri Hill on Krithika days.

Temple Timings

According to the available temple information, the temple is open for devotees during the following hours:

Some sources mention slightly different timings. Devotees are advised to verify the day`s opening and closing hours before planning their visit.

Worship and Traditional Beliefs

The temple is traditionally associated with prayers for relief from the adverse effects of Rahu and Ketu. Devotees also visit the temple seeking relief from various Nakshatra-related concerns.

On Krithika days, devotees traditionally perform honey abhishekam for Lord Murugan, offer food, adorn the deity with red oleander garlands and participate in annadhanam.

According to traditional belief, such worship may provide relief from Naga Dosha, Putra Dosha and marriage-related doshas and bring positive changes in life.

It is also believed that performing milk abhishekam, offering red flowers and presenting pomegranate fruits can help devotees seek relief from Nakshatra-related concerns and receive divine blessings.

Devotees offer abhishekam and vastras as part of their ththanksgiving.

Temple`s Unique Feature

The temple has a distinctive association with the belief that Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan represent one divine reality.

Generally, a Linga is associated with Lord Shiva. At this temple, however, Lord Subramania is worshipped in Linga form. This is traditionally understood as symbolising the unity of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.

The temple`s traditional account also compares the different qualities of fire with different divine forms: fire represents Lord Shiva, its heat represents Goddess Uma, its colour represents Lord Ganesha, and its light represents Lord Murugan. The worship of Murugan in the form of a Shivalinga is therefore regarded as a symbolic expression of the inseparable nature of Shiva and Murugan.

It is also traditionally believed that the 27 Nakshatras and the Krittika maidens visit the temple on Krithika days to worship Lord Murugan.

Location and How to Reach

Vilvarani Nakshatra Hill Murugan Temple is located in Vilvarani in the Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu.

From Tiruvannamalai, the temple can be reached via Kalasapakkam and is approximately 34 km away.

Visitors travelling from Vellore can get down at Polur and travel approximately 16 km to reach the temple.

Bus and auto-rickshaw facilities are available for travelling to the area.

Temple Details

The temple is regarded as a spiritually significant Murugan shrine, particularly for devotees interested in Nakshatra worship and traditional parihara practices.