Significance: The ancient Subramanyar
temple at Vallimalai is associated with colorful legends and it has been
revered by the Tiruppukazh hymns of Arunagiri Nathar. Vallimalai
is located near Vellore, 16 km north of the Shivastalam Tiruvallam,
on the Chennai Bangalore highway.
Legend has it that this is the
site at which Valli was born and married Murugan. A similar legend holds at the Velimalai (Kumaran Koyil) temple near Kanyakumari. Valli
is depicted in the form of a playful maiden here. The natural springs on the hill are said
to be associated with Valli.
This rock cut hill temple is built on top of a
small hill accessed through a flight of 300 steps. Much of the temple is within a cave.
The cave temple is in three levels successively increasing in elevation.There are also
shrines to Vinayakar and Kasi Viswanathar here. The construction in this temple is
attributed to the Pallava rulers and to the Madurai Nayak
rulers.
Festivals: The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the
month of Maasi. Padi Utsavam is celebrated on Tamil new years day in the
month of April, and the asterism of Kartikai in the month of Aadi is also
celebrated here.emple