Siruvaapuri

After conducting a second batch of the programme on Change Management and Leadership, I visited the nearby temple of Murugan at Siruvaapuri also called Siruvaayoor.

You have to take a left a little before Gummidipoondi and drive about 5 kilo metres from the main Chennai-Kolkata High Road to reach the Temple. The temple has become quite popular recently and has been well renovated and maintained.

The idol of Muruga is majestic and well carved. The Peacock and many other idols here are made of Maragatha Kal (Green Granite Stone).

The bronze idol of Valli Manavala Peruman iss great with Muruga and Valli depicted as facing each other, the God holding Valli's hand in his.

The Temple is famous because of two reasons.

• It is belived that people who place small stones in the shape of a house behind the Aadhi Moolavar Temple will build one in a short while. This was confirmed from personal experience by a senior executive of Greaves Cotton who accompanied me to the Temple.
• There was a woman in this village called Murugammai who constantly chanted the name of the Lord Muruga. Her husband enraged at this cut off her hand. In stead of crying out in pain she merely uttered the name Muruga and entreated the Lord to stop her sufferiung. It is told the the Lord appeared before her and made her hand whole again.
• Nakkeerar had a vision of Murugan on a Peacock here. There are 4 Thirupughazh stanzas on Siruvaapuri.
• The name takes its origin from the fact that Lava and Kusa, the Sons of Rama, had stayed here. This is also claimed to be the place where they, armed with mere bows and arrows, fought the army of Rama which had elephants, horses and warriors in it. As they were skilled in archery this place was called Siruvar(boys)-Ambu(Arrow)-Edu(Take). Which became Chinnambedu and then Siruvaapuri. This could also be the famed Kusalavapuri where the brothers ruled.

A small yet satisfying temple. As it was Friday there was not much of a crowd.