Arulmigu Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai (Solaimalai)
Solaimalai, Alagar hills, above Alagar Kovil, Madurai district (approx. 25 km north-east of Madurai) · Lord Murugan with Valli and Deivanai; a separate shrine to his Vel (Aadhi Vel)
The sixth abode: a forest temple in the Alagar hills where Murugan tested the poet Avvaiyar with 'hot' fruit.
Pazhamudircholai ('the grove where fruits fall') is the last of Murugan's six abodes, in the wooded Alagar hills about 4 km above the Vishnu temple of Alagar Kovil, north-east of Madurai. It is the only one of the six where Murugan stands with both his consorts, Valli and Deivanai, and it has a separate shrine for his Vel, which was originally the only object worshipped here. The present temple is modern (the HR&CE listing dates it to the 21st century) but the place is praised in Sangam and post-Sangam literature.
Timings
- Temple open: 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Festivals: Timings change on festival days. Check official site
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
- Special Darshan – ₹10 per person
- Speed Darshan – ₹100 per person
Sevas and costs
- Alangara Abishegam – ₹1,000 (Entry 7:00 – 8:00 AM)
- Golden Kavasam – ₹1,000 (Kala pooja at 6:00 AM)
- Nithiyapadi Pooja – ₹500 (10:30 AM (Kalasandhi II), 12:30 PM (Uchikalam) or 6:30 PM (Sayaratchai II))
- Golden Chariot Procession – ₹2,000 (Daily, 6:00 PM (report by 4:00–4:30 PM))
- Velli Oonjal (silver cradle) – ₹300 (During temple hours)
- Archanai – ₹10 (During temple hours)
- Vel Balabhishekam – Check official site (Tuesdays, at the Kalasandhi pooja)
How to book darshan
Abhishekam, golden kavasam, nithyapadi pooja, golden chariot, cradle, darshan tickets and postal prasadam are on the HR&CE portal.
Dress code
Traditional dress for ticketed services: dhoti or trousers with shirt for men; saree or churidar with dupatta for women.
Best time to visit
October to March, in the morning. Tuesdays are busy for the Vel abhishekam.
How to reach
- air: Madurai Airport, approx. 35 km.
- rail: Madurai Junction, approx. 25 km.
- road: Buses from Madurai to Alagar Kovil (approx. 21 km, about 45 minutes); from Alagar Kovil, go up the ghat road (approx. 4 km) to Solaimalai by your own vehicle or local transport (check availability).
Festivals
- Skanda Sashti – Aippasi (Oct–Nov); Soorasamharam about 15 Nov 2026
- Vaikasi Visakam – May–June
- Panguni Uthiram – Mar–Apr
- Aadi Krithigai – Jul–Aug
- Thaipusam – Jan–Feb; 22 January 2027
- Vasantha Utsavam – Check official site
- Karthigai Deepam and Karthigai Mondays – Nov–Dec