Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple

Pachaimalai Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple (Pachaimalai Balamurugan Temple) is one of the two major hill temples (other being Pavalamalai) located in Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Tamil God Murugan. The temple constructed in the Tamil style of architecture, is located on top of a small hillock in the outskirts of the town of Gobichettipalayam.
Meaning of Name.
Pachaimalai means Green hill. It is believed that the presence of a water-spring directly below the sanctum sanctorum gives the hill/ temple its name. During the drought years of 2001 – 2005, when the wells went dry in the areas around the hill, water was still available on top of the hill.
History.
Once upon a time, Saint Durvasar visited the Shiva Temple at Kunnathur on his sojourn to Kongu Nadu. His mystic powers revealed him that Modachur (near Gobichettipalayam) was the most suitable place for undertaking a penance on Lord Shiva. On reaching Modachur, he invokes Lord Shiva and goes into deep meditation. However, he longs for the dharshan of Lord Murugan. On Lord Shiva's advise, he reaches a small hillock, Pachaimalai. He worships Sri Murugan as Dhandayuthapani and installs his statue facing towards the west. 
As years rolled by, the temple at Pachaimalai was forgotten and was in a dilipidated state. In 1954, Amarar. P. K. Kuppusamy Gounder is said to have a seen a divine light emanating from the Sanctum Sanctorum of the shrine. He endeavoured to start regular poojas and codified the practices/events at the temple. The temple was slowly but completely rebuilt by 1980 due to his untiring efforts.
Architecture.
The temple has a five-storey main Gopuram built according to the Dravidian architecture. The main deity is Balamurugan, the child form of Lord Murugan. The main deity faces west similar to Palani Dhandayuthapani temple. The temple also has a 40 feet statue of Lord Senthilandavar, which is visible from the town of Gobichettipalayam. It is one of the largest Murugan statues in the state. The temple also has shrines dedicated to various gods and goddesses including Vidya Ganapathy, Maragatheeswarar and His consort Maragathavalli, Kalyana Subramanyar with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Maragatha Venkatesa Perumal with His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Dakshinamurthi, Bhairavar and the Navagraham. The speciality of Navagrahangal at Pachaimalai is that they can be seen with their consorts seated on their respective mounts. This is very rare.
Moolavar - Balamurugan.
The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Balamurugan, in the form of Bala Dhandayuthapani, just as at Palani. The Deity faces towards west. Swarnabandanam - the gold plate covering the pedastal has been done for Moolavar.
Lord Shanmugar.
Pachaimalai is renowned for Lord Shanmugar , who is the manifestation of Lord Murugan with six faces. The poojai for Shanmugar at Pachaimalai is similar to those at Thiruchendur. Every month during the days of Visakam, Shasti and Kiruthigai, Abihekam and special Shanmugarchanai is performed for the Deity. During Skandha Shasti, Shanmugarchanai is done for six days consecutively. During the annual Bhramotsava which falls in the month of Panguni, one can witness Lord Shanmuga in three attires. In the first one, Lord Shanmuga and his consorts are adorned completely in White conveying that he is Brahma, the Creator, the second, Red attire conveys that he is Shiva, the Destroyer. On the day of Panguni Uthiram, he is clad in Green, symbolizing that he is Vishnu, the Protector. Devotees offer green flowers, clothes and rose water to the Deity on that day.
Lord Kalyana Subramanya.
At Pachaimalai,Sri Kalyana Subramanya presides over the chariot festival held on Panguni Uthiram, every year. Kalyana Urchavam or the marriage ceremony is performed for Lord Subramanya during Panguni Uthiram, Thai Poosam and Kandar Shasti. He also goes on fast for seven days during Kandar Shasti and Soorasamharam( சூரசம்ஹாரம்) is enacted by him in Gobichettipalayam town. It is believed that the statue of the Subramanya is older than 600 years.
Kadamba Tree.
The Kadamba Tree is revered as the Sthala Viruksham at Pachaimalai. It is very rare to find this tree. It is considered very auspicious for Lord Murugan. The name "Kadamban" for Lord Murugan is derived from the name of this tree. Its flower has a beautiful and a characteristic fragrance. It flowers only during the month of Chitirai.
Schedule and Pujai.
The temple is open on all days from 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM. There are 7 timely poojas scheduled daily. The late evening 7 PM pooja is considered auspicious. Every Tuesday, New Moon day (Amavasai), Sankatahara Chathurthi, Pradhosham, Full Moon day (Pournami), Theipirai Bhairavar Ashtami, Shashti and Kiruthigai are celebrated with special poojas. The temple has a golden peacock and a golden chariot in which the Deity is taken in a procession at 7 PM in the evening. Arulmigu Dhandapani is taken to the golden chariot in his mount 'golden peacock' in complete golden attire.
Fairs and Festivals.
Panguni Uthiram.
The Brahmotsavam festival of the temple is celebrated in month of Panguni. Lord Kalyana Subramanyar is taken in a procession around the hill on the first six days in different mounts like Bootha Vahanam, Yaanai Vahanam (Elephant), Rishaba Vahanam (Ox), Annapatchi Vahanam (Swan) and Attukidai Vahanam (Goat). On the sixth day, Thiru Kalyana Utsavam is performed and the Sri Subramanyar graces the Wooden Chariot. On Panguni Uthiram day, the temple is thronged by thousands of devotees who carry 'Kavadi' and perform abishekam. The massive temple chariot is run on the same evening. Annadhanam is done to feed the thousands of devotees who visit the temple throughout the day.
Skandha Shasti Soorasamharam.
The Skanda Shasti Soorasamharam festival is enacted in the town of Gobichettipalayam. The Deity, mounted on an elephant, presides over the function to defeat and give salvation to Soorapadman, the personification of Ego. This is a symbolic celebration of the victory of the good over evil. The Deity and devotees undertake "Kandar Shasti Viratham", which is essentially fasting for 7 days. The fast is broken on the day after Kandar Shasti, after the Thirukalyana Utsavam.
Thai Poosam.
During the first half of the day, Kavadi abishekam is performed continuously. During the later part of the day, the presiding Deity of the temple graces in Thanga Kavasam - the golden Kavacha.
Vaikaasi Visaagam 'Lacharchanai'.
The annual Lacharchanai is conducted during Vaikasi Visakam, for three days. On the final day, Shatru Samhara Homam and a grand abishekam is done for the Deity. 
Special Practices.
Shatru Samhara Thirisadai Archanai.
Shatru Samhara Thirisadai Archanai invokes Lord Subramanya using the six syllables of Sa-Ra-Va-Na-Bha-Va in different arrangaments and glorifies Him.
It is done at Pachaimalai every Tuesday morning. The specialty is that, unlike other places, Devotees are encouraged to recite the mantras along with the acharyas. One can hear a multitude of voices at the same time which gives a sense of peace to the mind. One should be prepared to come early by eight’o clock, to participate in the full archanai. Don’t be surprised if you find a huge crowd.
The participation in this archanai will lead to the destruction of evil and enemies. It is also considered to bestow the boon of marriage and children.
Shatru Samhara Homam.
Shatru Shamkara Homam is the yagna invoking Lord Subramanya to free oneself from evils within oneself like anger, ego, jealousy and arrogance . It also cures the ill effects pilli soonya (black magic). Shatru Shamkara Homam is done in a grand manner at Pachaimalai during Vaikasi Visagam(birth star of Muruga). It is done for six days consecutively during Skandha Shasti and Panguni Uthiram. It involves six sivacharyas who perform the Shatrusamhara thirisadai Archanai which is followed by the yagna. 
Thaarabishekam.
Thaarabishekam is a vedic ceremony in which milk is made to drip slowly on the Deity, through a Tharai or a Vessel, accompanied by the recitation of Rudram eleven times, invoking Shiva as Rudra and Parabrama.
Thaaraabishekam is done simultaneously for Sri Balamurugan (the presiding Deity) and Sri Maragatheeshwarar. It is done regularly during Agni Natchatiram, the hottest period of the year.
Thei Pirai Ashtami Bhairava Pooja.
On every Thei Pirai Ashtami, special poojas and homam are conducted for Kala Bhairava. The rituals begin in the evening with the ‘Maha Kala Bhairava Homam’. It is believed that participation in this homa will protect us from evil and black deeds. The homam or the yagna is followed by special abisheka( ritual bathing) for Kala Bhairava. ‘Punuku’, a kind of natural scent is offered to the deity. You can also find hundreds of deities offering eleven ‘Ellu Deepam’ , considered sacred to Lord Bhairava. At the end, ‘Bitter gourd Rice’ and ‘Vada’ is given as Prasadam. This Pooja attracts hundreds of devotees every month.
Annadhaanam.
Pachaimalai is renowned for Annadhaanam - the act of feeding the devotees. The golden chariot procession and every other ceremony at the temple is usually followed by Annadhanam. This temple is covered under the 'Annadhaanam Scheme' of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Every afternoon, fifty people are being fed with sumptuous meal at the temple under the scheme.
Similarities between Palani and Pachaimalai.
Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple has the following similarities with Palani Murugan temple.
How to reach.
Pachaimalai is situated near Pudupalayam in the outskirts of Gobichettipalayam. To get there by road, reach Gobichettipalayam and travel further 1 km to reach Pachaimalai. The temple is located on top of a hillock which can be accessed by road or by foot from the base of the hill. By rail, reach Erode (40 km) and then travel by road via Gobichettipalayam. The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 85 km away.