Sri Nakshathiragiri Murugan Temple was formerly known as Sri Swayambhu Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple. This Nakshathra Murugan is a hilltop Temple like many other Murugan Temples. It is located in a village called Vilvarani in Polur Taluk of Thiruvannamalai District. There are two South facing Welcome Arches leading to the Temple. At the foothill of the Temple there are three Sub Shrines which are all East facing. The first East facing Sub Shrine is that of Sri Baktha Anjaneya Swamy and there is a coloured stucco Idol atop this Sub Shrine in which Sri Anjaneya Swamy could be seen. In this Sub Shrine the Idol of Sri Anjaneya Swamy is seen East facing and in a standing posture. The second Sub Shrine is that of Sri Selva Vinayagar and atop His Sub Shrine is a stucco Idol in which He is seen sitting on a Moonjur Vaahanam. In this East facing Sub Shrine Sri Selva Vinayagar is seen in a sitting posture and facing His Idol is a small Moonjur Vaahanam. The third East facing Sub Shrine is the Navagraha Sannadhi. All the Navagraha Idols are placed on a podium which resembles a budding Lotus. There are two ways to reach the Temple top. Devotees can choose to walk up the hill through the steps which are around 200. Midway along these steps is a lovely coloured multi pillared Gopuram and both sides of this Gopuram has resplendent looking Idols which are gorgeously coloured. Close to this is a Sub Shrine of Sri Idumban which is East facing. After climbing several of these steps there is a huge coloured Idol of Sri Arumuga Swamy which is East facing and sparkling to look at. Around this coloured Idol of Sri Arumugam are several other Idol including that of Ramalinga Vallalar. As Devotees go still up further there is a huge West facing golden coloured Idol of Sri Sivasubramaniyar or Sri Murugan. Many Devotees refer this Idol as Malaysia Murugan. This Idol looks awesome and massive and is visible to the Devotees even from a distance.

Devotees choosing to go by vehicles can opt for the motorable ghat road. Limited number of cars and two wheelers could be parked there. Beyond this point it is mandatory for all Devotees to climb around 50 to 60 steps to reach the Temple top. Atop the Temple there is a four tiered West facing Rajagopuram on which a red coloured Vel or Spear has been designed. Close to the Rajagopuram is an South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Siddhi Vinayagar. There is a small Moonjur Vaahanam kept within His Sub Shrine. Devotees entering through the West facing Rajagopuram have to circumambulate and reach the Moolasthanam. There is a Vilakku Thoon, a small Neivedhya Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and a Mayil or Peacock Vaahanam looking towards the Moolasthanam through a small gaping hole. The Gopuram here has an East facing golden coloured Idol of Sri Murugan who is flanked by Sri Valli and Sri Devasena. Devotees have to enter the multi pillared Moolasthanam through the South entrance. At the threshold of the Moolasthanam is a lovely gold plated Image of Gajalakshmi. In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum the Swayambhu Sivasubramaniyam could be seen in a Linga Roopam. To the rear of this is Sri Murugan who is flanked by Valli and Devasena atop whom is the Naagabharanam. Devotees having a glimpse of the Moolavar are awestruck on seeing the splendid Idols. Around the Moolavar Koshtam are the Idols of Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Brahmma and Sri Durgai. Parellel to the Moolasthanam is another East facing Sub Shrine in which Sri Bala Dhandayudhapani is seen alone and facing this Sub Shrine is a Mayil Vaahanam and a Neivedhya Peedam. Around the Koshtam of this Sannadhi is a Vinayagar Idol and a Chandikeshwarar who is unusually seen here as North facing and the reason for this attributed as paucity of space. The outer peripheral of the Temple though small, has a multi pillared Mandapam in which there is an East facing Sri Kasi Viswanathar who is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam and facing Him is a Nandhi Vaahanam. Within the same Sub Shrine is a South facing Idol of Sri Visalakshi Ambal who is seen in a standing posture. Facing the Ambals Idol is a small Simha Vaahanam. To the anterior of this Sub Shrine is a North facing Sub Shrine of Naalvar in which the Idols of Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, Manikavasagar and Thirugnana Sammandhar. Likewise the outer peripheral has an East facing Urchavar Mandapam and another East facing area the small Temple Wooden Chariot is safely kept within a glass panel. The outer peripheral has a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Kaala Bhairavar. A West facing Yaaga Saalai and a North facing Temple Kitchen or Madapalli is also seen in the outer peripheral of the Temple.

The fabled History behind the Temple is that Sri Murugan who was afflicted with Brahmmahathi Dosham came to the Banks of River Cheyyar and installed Sri Saptha Karaikandeeswarar and Sri Kailasanathar and Prayed to them for 48 days which is counted as one Mandalam. Around 1200 years ago there lived Archaga who never failed to go to Thiruttani Murugan Temple every year. One such year he was unable to and lamented for it. That time a Dream appeared for him and following the advice of the Dream he followed a Serpant or a Naagam which led him to a place where the Swayambhu Murugan was found as a Linga Roopam. Accordingly this Linga Roopa Murugan was installed atop the hill and later came to be known as Sri Swayambhu Siva Subramaniyar. It is a Divine Abode of Sri Murugan and it is believed that all the 27 Stars or Nakshatrams had come and Prayed to Sri Murugan here after which He is called as Sri Nakshatra Murugan. The fame and name of the Temple has started spreading far and wide. Therefore Devotees from, Cities, Towns, Villages and Hamlets keep coming here to have a glimpse of this Omnipotent Sri Nakshatra Murugan. The Pushkarani of this Temple is known as Chandra Theertham and there is a huge coloured Idol of a Nandhi Vaahanam and a Siva Sarpam close to the Banks of the Pushkarani. At the foothill of the Temple there is an old closed Mandapam in which the articles of the Temple is stored. The Temple authorities have a tin sheet Mandapam for Devotees to Tonsure their Heads. There is a huge Temple Chariot which is safely secured in a tin sheet enclosure. There are various Shops at the base of the Temple selling Various types of Pooja Articles. Shasti, Thiru Karthigai, Thai Poosam, Aadi Kiruthigai, Panguni Uthiram are some of the Festivals celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 98656 06828, 99948 84878 and Ajith Kumar Flower Shop 86676 00326

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM

Distance from R.Kunnathur to Vilvarani is 17 Kms

Distance from Polur to Vilvarani is 13 Kms

Distance from Thiruvannamali or Tiruvannamalai to Vilvarani is 36 Kms

Distance from Anakavur to Vilvarani is 77 Kms

Distance from Cheyyur to Vilvarani is 117 Kms

Distance from Thiruporur to Vilvarani is 149 Kms

Distance from Kumaran Kundram, Chrompet to Vilvarani is 162 Kms

Distance from Thiruttani to Vilvarani is 117 Kms

Distance from Perumbedu to Vilvarani is 192 Kms

Distance from Siruvapuri to Vilvarani is 179 Kms

Distance from Andarkuppam to Vilvarani is 179 Kms

Distance from Nadupalani to Vilvarani is 103 Kms

Distance from Perumber Kandigai to Vilvarani is 95 Kms

Distance from Vallakkottai to Vilvarani is 128 Kms

Distance from Kailasagiri, Oomarabad to Vilvarani is 102 Kms

Distance from Theerthagiri to Vilvarani is 70 Kms

Distance from Ratnagiri, Kilminnal to Vilvarani is 74 Kms

Distance from Mailam to Vilvarani is 88 Kms

Distance from Arunkundram to Vilvarani is 62 Kms

Distance from Senneerkuppam to Vilvarani is 152 Kms

Distance from Palani to Vilvarani is 314 Kms

Distance from Thiruparankundram to Vilvarani is 340 Kms

Distance from Thiruchendur to Vilvarani is 505 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Vilvarani is 333 Kms

Distance from Swamimalai to Vilvarani is 193 Kms

Distance from Pazhamudhircholai to Vilvarani is 322 Kms

Distance from Marudhamalai to Vilvarani is 316 Kms

Distance from Peruvayal to Vilvarani is 373 Kms

Distance from Viralimalai to Vilvarani is 237 Kms

Distance from Panpoli to Vilvarani is 486 Kms

Distance from Mohanur to Vilvarani is 213 Kms

Distance from Vennaimalai to Vilvarani is 225 Kms

Distance from Sunguvarchatram to Vilvarani is 121 Kms

Distance from Kundrakudi to Vilvarani is 294 Kms

Distance from Erakaram to Vilvarani is 188 Kms

Distance from Thangamapuripattinam, Mettur Dam to Vilvarani is 175 Kms

Distance from Uthiramerur to Vilvarani is 92 Kms

Distance from Periya Thadagam to Vilvarani is 318 Kms

Distance from Kovilpatti to Vilvarani is 429 Kms

Distance from Muthugapatty to Vilvarani is 188 Kms

Distance from Jamunamaruthur to Vilvarani is 48 Kms

Distance from Ettukudi to Vilvarani is 254 Kms

Distance from Enkann or Engan to Vilvarani is 219 Kms

Distance from Sikkal to Vilvarani is 246 Kms

Distance from Thindal to Vilvarani is 213 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Vilvarani is 170 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Thiruvannamalai or Tiruvannamalai R.S.

For any Suggestions in the Website: T.Ragavachari 98411 40126