Panpoli Murugan Temple

It is one of the Scenic Murugan Temples situated at the height of 400 ft in an Om-shaped mountain in the western ghats, 3 km away from the village Panpoli (Paimpozhil). The word THIRU means beauty and the goddess Lakshmi resides there. The Tamil Lord Murugan on this hill is known as Thirumalai Kumaraswamy because he is in kumara paruvam (in adolescence age) Arulmigu Thirumalaikumaraswamy Temple is very famous for visakam starrers. This is the only temple available in Tamilnadu for Visakam Starrers Prayer.

There are two ways for devotees to reach the temple one is by walking. The temple is also famous for its large number of steps(624). Recently, a road was constructed which enables people to go by two and four-wheelers until the temple at the top.

Panpoli Murugan Temple History

King of Pandalam, chokkampatti chieftain, Sivagami Paradesiyar, made yeomen service to this temple. Sivagami Paradesiyar by her own efforts recovered a huge area of nanjai, punjai lands through the court from the encroachments and handed over them to his Temple.

Literary Background

Saint Arunagirinathar composed Thiruppugal in praise of Thirumalai Murugan with sweet music. Thandapani Swamigal, Kavirasa pandarathiaya noted poets also in their poetic diction sung in favour of Thirumalaikumaran. These are all found in poems like Thirumalai Kumaran pillai tamil. ThirumalaiMurugan Kuravanji, Thirumalai murugan Nondinadagam, Thirumalai karuppan Kathal. There are also works like ThirumalaiMurugan anthathi, Thirumalaikumaraswamy Alankara pirabantham, Thirumanimalai Thiruthalattu speak Thirumalaikumaranrsquos Fame.

Mythological History

Once upon a time Swamy Thirumalaimurugan appeared one Poovan Pattar`s dream who was an Archagar of Thirumalai Kaliamman Temple and Swamy Thirumalaimurugan asked Poovan Pattar to find out the idol (Stone Vickragam) of Swamy Thirumalai Murugan which is under the Bamboo bush, situated at Kottaithiradu on the way to Achankoil and ants would show the way to locate the idol. Swamy Thirumalai Murugan also appeared in the dream of the then Kerala King of Pandalam and showed the same dream.

The king and pattar went to Kottaithiradu (Situated near Panpoli village of Shenkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District) in order to find out the statue as stated in their dream. Ants paved the path and showed the place where Lord Thirumalai Murugan’s statue was found. The same was brought and installed in the sanctum sanctorum of this present Temple. It would have happened around 600 years back

Temple Amenities

Access to Panpoli Temple

• Stone Steps

  625 steps to the hilltop, Traditional path, usually taken barefoot by devotees.

•  Vehicle Access

A paved road allows cars and buses to reach the hilltop directly.

Tonsure Facility

• Available for devotees as part of religious offerings.

• Dedicated area maintained for hair tonsuring.

Vehicle Parking 

• Vehicles can go up via ghat road (no need to climb steps).

• Parking fee: ₹50 for cars.

• Large parking area at hilltop.

Information Center

• No separate tourist information centre.

•  Inquiries handled by the temple office (Tamil Nadu HR&CE).

•  Info available: temple timings, puja schedule, routes, steps/road access, festivals, accommodation.

• Guidance from staff/volunteers near entrance and steps.

Panpoli Murugan Temple Pooja Timings

Panpoli Murugan Temple 2025 Festivals