Viralimalai Murugan Temple

Travel for 28 km from Trichy or 43 km from Pudukkottai, to reach the famous Viralimalai Murugan Temple. The presiding deity is Lord Murugan, also popular as Subrahmanya.

The temple is thought to be built in 9th century, by Aditya Chola. The temple makes it place on the top of the rocky Viralimalai hill. One need to climb some 207 stairs to reach the temple. You while come across the beautiful Mandapas or the resting halls on your way to the top.

Apart from having the religious importance, the temple is also admirable in terms of its beauty and surrounding. The hill top gives the scenic view of the surrounding and the thick vegetation covered slopes makes the journey more pleasant. You can frequently spot peacocks making their way and flocking around.

The pillars of the temple are beautifully carved. You can find sculptures of various gods and saints encored on the rocky pillars. Kashyapa rishi, Narada Muni, Arumugan and Arunagirinathar are the famous ones to be noted easily.

The idol of the presiding deity is admirable. One can see the Lord in the form of Arulmugan, with six-faces and twelve hands seating on the peacock and Valli and Devayani standing on either sides.

Nearby places- On your way to the temple you can visit several other places like Saravana Poigai at the foot of the hills, a shrine for the goddess Maikannudaiyal on the way to the hill, small cave temple of Meenakshi Sundreshwarar and a Mandapam known as Sandana Kottam near the temple.

Festivals- The temple commences massive gatherings during the festivals of Taippucam, Pankuni Uttiram, Kanda Sasthi and Adikrittikai.

Timings: 6 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM