Introduction
Sri Shiva Bala Siddhar
was the main person towards the formation of the Mailam Murugan Temple, which
is situated in Villupuram District. Bala Siddhar in his previous birth was
served as one of the Chief Divine Guard of Lord Shiva’s holy abode, the
Kailasa. In order to promote Shaivism and in order to spread the Shiva Bhakti
amongst the people, Lord Shiva had made a divine play by cursing him to be born
as a pure hearted Shaivite Saint in the earth.
Sri Shiva Bala Siddhar
was born before few centuries ago at a village in the present day Villupuram
District. From his birth itself, he was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, and
even at the time of crying for milk, he used to raise the voice of “S H I V A” only. After completing his basic
education, he served for some time, as a priest in the nearest Shiva Temple,
and discharged his duties in a wonderful manner. When his parents were decided to perform marriage to him, he
hesitated, and revealed his wishes of becoming a Shaivite Saint. In course of
time, his parents were also agreed, and hence, Sri Shiva Bala Siddhar began to
settle down at the present day Mailam Town, he constructed a small hut for him
in that place, and began to continuously recite the Shiva Mantra, “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”. He also performed
severe penance on Lord Muruga, in order to get his divine vision.
But, in order to test
his pure bhakti, Lord Murugan had sent his two wives in the form of two female
Shaivite Saints and asked him to live with Siddhar for some time. Ma Valli and
Ma Devasena has taken the form of female
Saints, visited the ashram of Siddhar, and stayed with him for a few days. Bala
Siddhar considered the two pretty women in the form of Shakti Devi, and
worshipped both of them. On one fine day, Lord Muruga has transformed himself
in the form of a hunter, and appeared before Bala Siddhar. The great Siddhar
didn’t recognise the true form of the hunter, and hence, he fought with him for
a few days. Finally, Lord Muruga has revealed his true divine form to Siddhar,
and also has shown his full form (Viswaroopa Darshan). Siddhar was able to see
the entire universe on the body of Lord Muruga, and he also sought apology to
Lord Muruga to forgive his mistake. With a wonderful smile, Lord Muruga has blessed
him, and the two female saints were also transformed in the form of Ma Valli
and Ma Devasena, and they also blessed him with a motherly affection.
Then, as per the
request of Bala Siddhar, Lord Muruga and his two consorts had left their divine
aspects on that place, and went to their holy abode, the wonderful Sri Skanda
Loka. In course of time, Sri Shiva Bala Siddhar had constructed a marvellous
temple for Lord Muruga at the present day Mailam, and thereafter the temple is
popularly called by the Murugan Devotees, as Sri Mailam Murugan Temple. Here
Lord Muruga gives his wonderful darshan from his main shrine along with his two
consorts. Due to the significance of this Mailam Temple, this temple is also
considered to be the seventh earthly abode of Lord Muruga.
At present this temple
is being excellently administered by the Mailam Bommapura Adheenam, and daily,
tasty free food is also being served to the visiting pilgrims at noon.
“OM
SRI MAILAM MURUGA NAMAHA”
Sent
By
R.HARISHANKAR
