Ilanji and Ayikudi - Twin Murugan temples around Tenkasi

Through this post, I introduce you to a couple of famous Murugan temples around Tenkasi, located in South Tamil Nadu. One is Ilanji and the other is Ayikudi. These are not extensive temples, being quite small in land area. Nevertheless, they carry their own charm and should not be missed, if you visit Tenkasi or the falls at Courtallam.

REACHING THERE: Both the temples are located around Tenkasi. If you are coming from Tirunelveli or Courtallam, you could visit Ilanji first, then visit the famous Tenkasi Viswanathar temple and could then proceed to Ayikudi. The nearest major town is Tenkasi which also has a rail head. Both the temples are located within 10 Kms range from Tenkasi, but in different directions. So, the best way to combine them is to visit in the order mentioned earlier.

ILANJI KUMARAN TEMPLE: Lord Muruga is known here in the name of Thiruvilanji Kumarar. The temple is located amidst a lush green locale and a mere visit to the temple surrounding is so pleasing. The temple is also rich in historical significance. It is believed that Courtaleeswar temple used to be a vaishnavite temple. Sage Agasthiyar was not allowed to enter the temple as he was a strong devotee of Shiva. The sage is said to have come to Ilanji and performed a penance. Lord Muruga, being the reigning god of the region, appeared before the sage and had asked him to visit the temple the following day, dressed as a vaishnavite.

It is also believed that Sage Agasthiyar also made two lingas out of white sand available in the region, which were then converged into one. This linga is found within the Ilanji Kumaran temple premise under the name Iruvulaga Nayagar (Lord of Two worlds, referring to the combination of two lingas). Since the linga is made out of sand, no abhishekams are performed to the linga. Lordess Parvati is known here as Iruvulaga Eeserkiniyal.

As you move around the temple premise, you can observe several tall trees and wonderful greenery, making it a great visual treat for your eyes. There are also shrines here for Kanni Vinayakar, Suriyan (Sun God) and Suradevar (God who is said to cure people with fever; suram in tamil stands for fever). Major lords of near-by temples like Courtaleswar, Tenkasi Viswanathar and Kuzhalvai Mozhi Ammal also have a shrine at Ilanji. Sage Agasthiyar also has a shrine here. The stala Vriksham (primary tree of existence) is Magizha maram.

AYIKUDI BALASUBRAMANYA TEMPLE: Here, Lord Muruga is known as Balasubramaniar. Here, you find a relatively small idol of Muruga in his younger days and hence aptly titled Bala Subramaniar. The temple architecture is very unlike a typical Murugan temple with the standard Tamil Nadu style of temple tower. Instead, it carries a Kerala style of architecture and even the temple practices have a Kerala touch to it. This is not surprising given its close proximity with the state.

Interestingly, there are five stala Vrikshams for this temple: Arasa maram, Vembu maram (neem), Kariveppilai maram, Madhalai maram and Maavilangu maram. Also, there is a small river besides the temple. The river is called Hanuman Nadhi. It is believed that Hanuman rested here for sometime before his journey to Lanka. Hence, the name for the river.

ADDITIONAL NEAR-BY VISITS: As mentioned earlier, when you visit these two Murugan temples, you pass through Tenkasi and the Viswanathar temple here should not be missed. The massive tower at the entrance is a great spectacle. Interestingly, apart from the exterior and interior sides of the tower being adorned with sculptures, even the sides of the temple tower here bear amazing work of art and one should definitely spend some time enjoying the beauty. The Tenkasi temple is reasonably huge in size with separate shrines for Kasi Viswanathar, Lordess Parvathi (known here as Ulagammai Nachiaar) and Lord Subramanya.

SCHEDULING YOUR TRIP: The best way to schedule your trip to Ilanji and Ayikudi is to connect it with other popular and interesting places around. This includes Tenkasi Viswanathar Temple, Courtallam Falls, Courtaleeswar temple and Chitra Sabhai. You could get greater insight about Courtallam and Chitra Sabhai from my old post:

http://travelwithguru.blogspot.com/2010/01/chitra-sabhai-dance-floor-of-lord-shiva.html