Theertha Thotti Murugan Temple

Theertha Thotti Murugan Temple

Theertha Thotti Murugan Temple is around 19 km from Theni and just 2 km from Periyakulam in the state of Tamilnadu.This temple is around 1000 years old temple is a popular pilgrimage centre as the Lord Subramaniar Temple is situated there.

Theertha Thotti means sacred water tub. It is a natural spring surrounded by neem and bright trees. Amidst these trees is a tank called Theertha Thotti. This tank is a natural spring that has never gone dry and is considered holy. The tank has an inner mandapam and a staircase that goes down.

The walls of the Theertha Thotti are engraved with figurines of Saptha Kannikas or the seven virgins worshipping Lord Murugan and Vinayaka.

Virupakshi Arumuga Naynar is the Moolavar and Subramaniar is the Urchavar of this temple.

The Saptha Kannikas on their mission to kill a demon killed a sage by mistake. For relief from the dosha they incurred, they created a spring here and worshipped Lord Muruga who granted them the relief they required.The Theertha-the sacred spring alone existed then. A Muruga devotee was returning after a visit to Palani, a famous Lord Muruga but could not proceed further from Virupakshi due to some riots in the place. As he did not want to stay anywhere until he returned home, he prayed to Lord Muruga to show him a way. A young boy came there, gave the traveler a Vel without a sharp edge, and advised him to proceed as the Vel guided him. He had a bath in the Theertha Thotti at Virupakshi, left the Vel on the bank, and reached home. People of the place worshipped this Vel as Lord Muruga.

Those facing adverse aspects of serpent planets, Mars (Sevvai) bathe in the Theertha and pray to Lord Muruga for relief.