Sri Gnanamalai Subramaniyaswamy Temple Govindacherikuppam, Vellore

SRI GNANAMALAI SUBRAMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE

Govindacherikuppam, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India

God

The main deity of this temple is Lord Subramanya swamy and also known as Gnanapandithan. He faces East direction in this temple.

Goddess

Valli and Devayanai are consorts of Lord Subramanya swamy.

Interesting Facts

The hill itself is profuse with Veppalai (Kutchappalai) trees which are known to have medicinal properties.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37 °C during the day and 25 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (30 °C during day and 21°C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at Temple.
Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the Temple.

Smoking & Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Temple Premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Kaveripakkam Bus Stand	13.3 KM	04177-254112
Thalangai Railway Station	13.1 KM	139
Vellore Airport	52 KM	91-416-291201

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Thalangai Railway Station	13.1 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Vellore Airport	52 KM	91-416-291201

Architecture

By worshipping the Lord as Jnana Panditan, one obtains jnana. The temple faces East direction and Built in Pallava style of architetcutre. The Temple has a architect plan for gopuram in 2018. Present there is no Gopuram and the temple has a Dhwaja Stambham. The inscription found on a rock above an eternal spring says that Kalingarayan (1322-1340), son of Sambuvaraya Pazhayariayar sculpted steps on the hillock to reach the temple of Sri Gnana Panditaswami. In 1998 some local people along with Archeological Department officials discovered a worn stone inscription. A small mandapam for the devotees in front of the sannidi with Tall Pillars. In the first pillar outside sannidhi, there is a sculpture of Paalai Sidhar. There will also be two small stone mandapams for pilgrims to rest on the way up and one at the foot of the hill as well. The renovation committee has built a hall around the foot print for devotees to meditate. Near the temple ther is a small natural water source from which water is brought for temple abulations.

Religious Significance

After Lord Muruga’s wedding to Valli both of them are believed to have spent time here at Murugan Gnanamalai frolicking and the footprints found here are said to have been made by them. Arunagirinathar came to Jnanamalai and recalled his experience of being hated by his wife, own family members and local folks, decides to end his life and at that time Murugan shows his lotus feet and bless him. This internal evidence of the saint's life is found only in the Tiruppugazh of Jnana Malai.

History

In the 18th year of King Sambuvarayar's rule, his son Prince Kaligarayan established steps to reach Jnanamalai of this village. Campuravayars Raja Narayanan-I and Raja Jarayanan-II. Sri Krishnan is well supported in this cause by philanthropists who have come forward to lay steps to reach the Hill and built a guest house at the foot of the Hill. Jnanasramam trust, proper steps have been built to the hilltop. Saint Arunagirinathar had visited this temple during 15th century and has sung songs praising the lord Muruga. RadhaKrishnan, tiruppugazh scholar and Murugan researcher. The author of several books on the subject, he thinks the ‘discovery’ of Gnanamalai, its development and consecration mark a milestone in his journey. On learning about an inscription on a rock of Gnanamalai, V. Muralidharan of Tiruvannamalai visited the spot. He came back with details, which made Krishnan go there for investigation Convinced that this was the hill Arunagirinathar mentioned in the hymn, he set about the task of making it known to the public. The temple was Built by Pallava Kings and this temple built from 14th century recent renovation is done in 2000.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	06:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757