Theerthamalai Temple, Tamil Nadu

Theerthamalai is Lord Shiva Temple along with his consort Devi Vadivaambigai, located at Dharmapuri Dist, Tamil Nadu. The name Theertha means holy water malai means hill in Tamil. (Hill with Holy Water). Theerthamalai is a village situated about 16 km (about 9.9 mi) northeast of Harur. This temple also called as Theerthagireeswar (Theertha+Giri+Eswar)
Temple is located at the top of a hillock about 1 km (about 0.6 mi) up the steep slope of the hillock, derives its name from the five springs in the temple. Lord Theerthagireeswar (Shiva) is the main deity. Temple was built in the 7th century, having many contributions being made by the Chola and Pandya Kings. Several inscriptions can be found in Theerthagireeswarar Temple.

There is a deep connection of this temple with Ramayana. When Sri Ram killed Ravana – to nullify his Brahma Hatya Pataka Dosha on him he did Abhisheka to Lord Shiva.

Rama Theertham

Unfortunately Sri Hanuman could not reach the temple on time with Ganga water, Thus, Sri Rama shot an arrow on a hill stone creating the Rama Theertha and completed the Pooja. Rama Theertha is a tiny water fall spring about 9 meters high. The force will be same thru out the year even in hot summer, and no one could identify the source of the tiny water fall coming from hill stone.

Once Hanuman came to know the Pooja was completed, he threw the vessel containing Ganga water which fell away of 11 kms approx. from the Temple towards North direction of the Hill, which fell on to the banks of South Pennar river and formed a spring from it which is now called as Hanumantha Theertham. During summer even the river is dry there will be sweet water in the spring.

Here the tradition is, as per Sri Rama’s boon to Sri Hanuman that people take the first dip in Hanumantha Theertha and have Darshan of Sri Hanuman and then at Rama Theertha at hill top temple to relief from doshas

Hanumantha Theertham Entrance

The other Theertham, all of which have their origin in different parts of the rocky surface, are the Agasthya Theertham, Agni Theertham, Kumara Theertham and Gouri Theertham, along with Hanumantha Theertham.
There is another spring known as Vashista Theertham higher up in the hill. Close by are the wonderful granite pieces of Saptha Kanayakas. The beauty of these sculptures is that they can be viewed only through a narrow crevice in the rock. Lord Siddi Vinayaka adores the Temple. Vayu Theertham and Varuna Theertham are on the western side of the hill.
Indira Theertham is on the eastern side of the hill. Hanuman and Yama Theerthams are on the North and South respectively. Vashista Theertha is at the top of the hill. This is a divine hill surrounded by Holy Theerthas.
According to Sattology, Kumara Theertham was created for Abhisheka to Lord Muruga when He was crowned as the Supreme Commander (Senapathi of Gods) of the forces of the Devas. At least spilling the drops blesses the devotee with knowledge and wisdom.
Gowri Theertham was created for Parvathy Matha. She worshiped Lord with this Theertha and got His hand in wedding and became Ardha Naareshwara. Devotees worship Lord and Mother with this Theertha for happy wedding boons.
Agasthya Theertha is blessing of Lord Shiva to cure the ulcer troubles. It is said that the Theertha contains copper and herbal properties. Devotees consume this Theertha and also use for cooking for relief from gastric problems and also cures stomach pain.
Agni Theertham relieved Agni himself of the sins he earned due to passionate love of women. This balances the heat in the body and is a wonderful medicine for cold attacks, tuberculosis etc.
The architecture of the temple dates 1000 years ago. Renovations were done in the year 1014 during the reign of Raja Raja Kulothunga Chola. Rishi/Sage Arunagirinathar had sung the glory of the temple in his Thirupugazh hymns. Hence, Waters from the Theerthamalai proved to have a lot of medicinal values too.

List of Theerthams surrounding the hill temple: