Arulmigu Nadhagiri Murugan Temple is situated on the sacred Athuvanakkad Hill, near Rayagiri Nagar, directly east of Sivagiri town in Tenkasi District (earlier Tirunelveli District), Tamil Nadu. Surrounded by hills, caves, natural springs, and green rice terraces, this temple offers a serene and spiritually powerful environment.
Nadhagiri Murugan Temple is considered a very ancient temple, believed to be several thousand years old. Its antiquity is evident from its strong association with Siddhas, ancient sages, and the hymns of Arunagirinathar. The hill itself is revered as one among the sacred Ashtagiris, indicating its importance from ancient times. It is believed that 18 Siddhas, including Pambatti Siddhar, performed intense penance on this mountain. The hill was also worshipped by Agastya Muni, as well as by the Moon and the Sun, further highlighting its spiritual greatness.
The presiding deity is Lord Murugan, worshipped here as Nadhagiri Murugan. He is revered as the Lord of sacred mountains and divine secrets. Arunagirinathar praises this Murugan as “the Lord of the Four Mysteries”, highlighting the spiritual depth of this shrine.
The temple follows traditional hill-temple architecture, where the natural surroundings themselves form the sanctum. The shrines are built around natural rock caves and hill formations, with simple stone structures that blend harmoniously with the surroundings. In addition to Lord Murugan, there are shrines for Lord Vinayaka, Lord Shiva (as Shankaralinga Peruman), and Gomathi Ambika. Here, the entire hill is worshipped as a living temple.
Pulithevan, the ruler of Nelkattumseval Palayakkaram, constructed a long cave shrine to worship Gomathi Ambika, Shankaralinga Peruman, and Nadhagiri Murugan. It is also believed that when the Tirumala of Karpaga Nachiyar at nearby Puliangudi burst open, the divine idol of Nadhagiri Murugan emerged. Umayappadeva carried the idol on his head and consecrated it at this hill.
According to legend, Senthan, the son of Indra (Devendra), was troubled by demons and wandered in fear. Lord Shiva appeared before him and instructed him to perform penance at Nadhagiri. Senthan came to this hill and performed severe penance. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Murugan, after destroying the demons, appeared here and blessed him. Along with Murugan, great sages like Agastya, Hanuman, Vasishta, Vishwamitra, and Vamadeva also gave darshan at this sacred hill.
After witnessing the divine darshan of Lord Murugan, the sages chanted “Om Namah Shivaya”. The powerful chant echoed all the way to Mount Kailasa. Because of this divine resonance (Naadam), the hill came to be known as Nadhagiri.
Nadhagiri is regarded as one among the Ashtagiris (Eight Sacred Mountains), which include the Himalayas, Vindhya Mountains, Nilgiris, Chathuragiri, Sivagiri, Rayagiri, and Nadhagiri. This status greatly enhances the spiritual importance of the temple.
A holy spring flows on the hill where the Sapta Kannikas are believed to have bathed. Drinking this water is said to cure even incurable diseases. Beneath the spring lies a pedestal of Lord Vinayaka. Turmeric, turmeric powder, and lemon are naturally found in the water. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Nanni (a local folk goddess)
walked through the parted waters to worship Vinayaka, and later, Goddess Nanni attained Jeeva Samadhi here.
One of the most astonishing miracles of Nadhagiri continues even today. A snake and a deer (sometimes described as a mongoose or lynx in local tradition) come together peacefully inside a cave and drink milk and eat fruits, especially on Fridays. This miracle symbolizes the divine teaching that enmity disappears in the presence of God. Devotees offer milk and fruits here with deep faith after having darshan of Lord Murugan.
The temple witnesses large gatherings of devotees during Karthigai month, Amavasya, Pournami, every Friday, Thaipusam, Masi Magam, Panguni Uthiram, and Mahashivaratri. These days are considered highly auspicious for worship at Nadhagiri.
