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Mandhiragiri Sri Velayudha Swamy Temple, Senjerimalai, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu

Senjeri Sri Velayudha Swamy Temple is a hilltop Murugan Temple and is also known as Mandhagiri Sri Velayudha Swamy Temple. Senjerimalai was known as Thencheri Malai in ancient times and it is now located in Sulur Taluk of Coimbatore District. The Temple has a beautifully laid Thar ghat road and private vehicles can be taken till the Temple premises. There are a flight of steps and Devotees coming by foot can climb and reach the Temple. Midway there are several shelters where Devotees coming by foot can take rest and reach the Temple top. At the foothill of the Temple is a Welcome Arch and on top of it is a coloured Idol of Sri Subramaniyar flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. On reaching the Temple top there is a West facing entrance through which the Devotees can enter the Temple premises. The actual Temple is East facing and Devotees can circumabmbulate and reach the Temple.

At the outset there is a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Maha Vishnu who is seen reclined on His Divine 12 headed Adhi Seshan. The Temple is unique in the sense that Sri Maha Vishnu graces His Devotees with a Shivalingam in His right hand. Then is a huge shuttered enclosure in which the Temple's Chariot or Car is safely enclosed. Next to this is a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Kala Bhairavar who is seen in a standing posture. Then is a Lotus Podium on top of which is a huge Divine Vel or Spear that is planted. This Vel is around 16 feet and close to this is the entry point for the Devotees who come by foot. Before entering the Moolasthanam there is a black Idol of an East facing Sri Vinayagar who has to be Prayed first. Then there is a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram, a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Peacock or Mayil Vaahanam facing the Moolasthanam. This Peacock Idol is seen holding a Serpent in its talons.

In the East facing Moolasthanam there is a gold plated threshold which is dazzling. There are Idols of two Dwara Balaakas on either side of the threshold are two small Idols of Sri Jayan and Sri Vijayan. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Mandhagiri Sri Velayudha Swamy or Senjeri Murugan is seen East facing and in a standing posture. He is flanked on either side by His Consorts Valli and Devasena and is seen with six faces and 12 hands. He is also known as Sri Manthrachalamurthy. In the Moolasthana Mandapam there is a South facing Sub Shrine in which a Naalvar Idol is seen along with the Urchavamoorthy Idol of Sri Velayudha Swamy and a Soolayudham. Then is another South facing Sub Shrine in which Sri Muthukumara Swamy is seen in a standing posture flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. The third South facing Sub Shrine is that of Sri Natarajar and Sri Sivagami Ambal. Sri Murugan chose this particular Hill as His abode for the following 4 reasons. 1) Kadamba Tree, 2) Dharbai (A kind of Divine Grass) 3) Gnana Theertham in the form of a small Sunai or a water body and 4) Chinnamalai where Maha Vishnu got Siva Dheekshai. It was perhaps the best place in the Earth he could find then. Since this particular Temple even precedes the Soorasamharam it is called as Aadhi Padai Veedu. It is believed that Saint Arunagirinathar praised Sri Murugan here in this Temple.

The next East facing Sub Shrine is that of Sri Kailasanathar who is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam. Facing this Shrine is a Neivedhya Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam. Around the Koshtam of Sri Kailasanathar are the Idols of Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Chandikeshwarar and Sri Durgai. Next is the Sub Shrine of Sri Periyanayagi Ambal who is seen East facing and in a standing posture. Then is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Vinayagar. The space between the Sub Shrines of Sri Kailasanathar and Sri Periyanayagi Ambal has the Idol of Sri Sathru Samhaara Moorthy and the Pooja done to Him is known as Sathru Samhaara Pooja. Devotees can circumambulate this Temple through its outer peripheral. The scenic beauty of the Temple is fascinating. There are facilities for the Devotees for Tonsuring.

The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is a Kadambha Tree and the Pushkarani or Theertham is known as Gnana Theertham. There is a Spring in this Hill which does not get dried up even in peak summer and is perennial. There is a Temple Madapalli or Temple Kitchen and a Annadha Koodam for the Devotees. The Temple has an ample paid parking facilities for cars and two wheelers. It is beleived that this Temple was originally built by King Karikaala Cholan and later on renovated by the King Third Veera Bhallala during the 13th century. Skanda Shasti, Thai Poosam are celebrated in a grand manner here.

Sathru Samhaara Poojai is a hallmark Pooja of this Temple in which the Xerox Horoscope only of the concerned person is kept along with the other Divine Articles and Prayed. The Divine Articles are as follows: Sevvarali Flowers Garland and Udhiri Poo, Red Banana - 6, Coconut - 1, Fruits, Lemon, Betel Leaves and Nuts, Virali Manjal and Poovan Pazham. The Pooja thus done is believed to remove or wipe away all the enemies and foes of such persons for whom Pooja is done.

Contact Details: Sundaramurthy Gurukkal 88839 42004, Muthukumar Gurukkal 96887 31723

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Coimbatore to Senjerimalai is 41 Kms

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Distance from Tiruppur to Senjerimalai is 39 Kms

Distance from Kodaikanal to Senjerimalai is 127 Kms

Distance from Palani to Senjerimalai is 64 Kms

Distance from Vilpatti to Senjerimalai is 134 Kms

Distance from Salem to Senjerimalai is 170 Kms

Distance from Namakkal to Senjerimalai is 136 Kms

Distance from Rasipuram to Senjerimalai is 163 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Senjerimalai is 174 Kms