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| Parvathamalai |
Parvathamalai is a part of the Javadhu hills of
the Eastern Ghats and situated 25 km from Polur in Thiruvannamalai District.
The height of the hill is about 3500 feet from mean sea level. There is a
temple for Lord Shiva temple at the top. Lord Shiva appears under the name of
Mallikarjunaswamy. It is popularly believed that Lord Shiva is worshipped by
the Devas and spiritual beings from other world and siddhars every night. The
hill is considered to be very auspicious, with powerful vibrations. People
refer to Parvathamalai as Southern Kailasam. Sri Bramarambigai was enshrined by
Sri Bhogar, one of the eighteen Tamil siddhars. The whole mountain is believed
to be protected by Vanadurga and Veerabhadra.
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| Lord Shiva Temple |
Many siddhars lived once and practiced their
mystical powers on this hill, which is covered with medicinal plants. It is
believed that Parvathamalai was formed when a piece of rock fell from the
Sanjeevini hill, carried by Sri Anjaneya, and thus the hill got its name
Sanjiva Parvatamalai. The scented herbal breeze on this hill is believed to
cure even incurable diseases. During the pournami (full moon) day, it attracts a
lot of devotees.
History
of the hill
The history of the
Parvatamalai hill can be traced from the Sangam period. It is believed that the
King Nannan would come to this hill and worship Lord Mallikarjuna. When Lord
Shiva came to the southern part of Tamil Nadu from the Himalayas, he placed his
first foot step on this hill. As in Thirukalukundram, here too one can see
three eagles circling the Pappathi hill. At midnight, the villages around the
hill can hear the sounds of melam, sangu, tharai and thappatai. Guru
Namashivayam and Guhai Namashivayam lived on Parvathamalai and attained their
youth by consuming herb called Karunochi, according to popular belief.
Kanchi Sri Sankaracharya saw the hill in the shape
of a Shiva linga and therefore never placed his foot on it the circumambulated
and worshipped it. Every month, during pournima people start the Girivalam
(circumambulation of the hill) at 7pm.
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| Girivalam |
Temples
in the Parvathamalai
There are several temples of on the hill,
including the Pachaiamman in the Pachaiamman temple; Lord Veerabhadra temple
with its herbal park; Renugambal temple situated in front of the herbal pond
known as ‘Agaya Gangai’. If one bathes in the water of this pond it is believed
that one can get cured of all body pain and fatigue; the Vana Durga temple
situated on the way to the main hill temple; the siddhar’s temple on the way;
and the Kadaparai Shiva temple, the last temple situated on the way to the hill
top temple. Those who cannot climb the hill perform their pooja here and turn
back. Before reaching the hill top temple one can find symbols of lord Shiva’s
feet.
The major festival of the temple is chitra
pournami (full moon day), Kaarthikai dipam, Shivraratri and Panguni Uttram.
Wearing white, yellow and saffron coloured dresses and worshiping the God by
offering milk is said to auspicious.
Temple
Tanks
It is believed that there is an underground
whirlpool which heals all diseases. Old people believe that there is a lotus
pond and plantain field, inhabitated by a holy cow and sages.
Biodiversity
of Parvathamalai
The Parvathamalai Forest is an undisturbed portion
of the Eastern Ghats, all of which was once densely forested. There are many
small temples in the forest area between the Parvathamalai hill and Munnurmangdam
village. This is an important protected area, the hills of which are considered
by the people to be the “Southern Himalayas”. The area is also of heritage and
historical value with its plants well known for their medicinal value.
The entire Parvathamalai is protected as a reserve
forest. There are about 152 plant species recorded in this hill. Very rare
herbal plants found on this hill include: peyviratti (Anisomeles malabarica)
karunthulasi (Ocimum sanctum), karunochi (Justicia gendarussa / Gendarussa
vulgaris), karu umathai (Datura fastuosa), karunelli (Phyllanthus reticulatus),
civanar vembu (Indigofera aspalathoides), mahavilvam (Limonia acidissima),
vellerukku (Calotropis procera), orithazh thaamarai (Lonidium suffruticosum)
and other plants. However, these plant species are characteristic of this area only.
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| Justicia gendarussa |
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| Datura Fastuosa |
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| Limonia acidissima |
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| Ocimum Sanctum |
As far as fauna are concerned, there are about 128 species of animals, of which
there are 17 species of mammals, 22 species of reptiles and 89 species of
birds. Some of the animal species are IUCN-categorized animals, including the
Star tortoise, the Orange-breasted green pigeon and Slender Loris that belong
to the rare animal species and the Barheaded goose, Black buck and Civet cat
that belong to the threatened and endangered category.
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| Bar Headed Goose |
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| Orange-Breasted green Pigeon |
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| Civet Cat |
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| Star Tortoise |
Conclusion
A variety of factors threaten the sacred mountain
environment. The forest stretches leading to the temples are degraded due to
the disposal of polythene materials (bags, cups, etc) by devotees and due to
the clearing of vegetation by the pilgrims to keep away the poisonous snakes
from the path.
http://www.cpreecenvis.nic.in/Database/Sacred_mountains_849.aspx
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