Sri Baladandayuthapani Temple (ஸ்ரீ பலடண்டயுதபணி கோயில்) Elk Hills, Udhagamandalam

Sri Baladandayuthapani Temple ,Elk Hills,Udhagamandalam

Moolavar : Baladandathuthapani, Jalakandeswarar
Urchavar : –
Amman / Thayar : Jalagandeeswari
Thala Virutcham : Shenbaga tree
Theertham : Neelanarayana theertham
Agamam / Pooja : –
Old year : 500 years old
Historical Name : Maankundram
City : Elk Hills
District : Udhagamandalam
State : Tamil Nadu

Festival:

5 day Thaipoosam festival in January-February, Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June and days related to Muruga worship are the festivals celebrated in the temple besides Deepavali, Pongal and new year days, drawing huge crowds.

Temple’s Speciality:

A rock touching the sanctum sanctorum of the Badugar temple looks as Perumal in a reclining position.

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Address:

Sri Baladandapani Swami Temple, Elk Hills, Nilgiris.

General Information:

A rock behind the sanctum of the Badugar temple is naturally long looking as if Perumal in a reclining form.

Prayers:

Worshipping Lord Muruga benefits the devotee with happy wed lock, child boon and all family welfare. Going uphill to the temple through the natural healthy breeze in the serene environment cures the devotee from blood pressure, breathing difficulties, joint pains and other physical problems.

Thanks giving:

Ear boring, tonsuring, carrying Kavadi and milk pots, observing Krthika fasting, poor feeding, contributing to temple maintenance and renovations are the prayer commitments followed by devotees.

Greatness Of Temple:

Lord Muruga is the deity of the hills and places adjacent to it known as Kurinji region in Tamil literatures. Nilgiris happen to be a natural hill region and His worship in this hilly region is but a natural tradition. A rock behind the sanctum of the Badugar temple is naturally long looking as if Perumal in a reclining form. The temple is at a height of 7,500 feet.

Temple History:

A couple once went to Palani seeking child boon. After realizing their wish, they could not go to Palani for some reason or other. Lord Muruga appeared in their dream and asked them to raise a temple for Him in this hill. The couple was happy, raised the temple and worshipped Him as their prayer commitment. It later became famous in the region. As the Elk family deers were large in number in the area, the place came to be known as Elk Hills.