Summit

At the summit of the Hill is the Mouna Guruswamy Ashram and more importantly a very powerful Temple at which resides the Siva aspect in the form of Lord Mallikarjuna (i.e. White Jasmine) and the Shakti aspect in the form of Parvatha Rani or Parvathammal. Parvathammal is also called Sri Brahmarambika and Sri Akilandesvari Amman.

The presiding deity of Parvathamalai Temple in Sanskrit is known as 'Kalakanteshvarah' - 'the god whose neck is dark blue.' Parvathamalai is also known as Kandhamalai, Mallikarjunamalai, Naviramalai, Parvathagiri, Sanjeevigiri, Thenkailayam and Trisulagiri.

The summit Temple has sannidhis for Lord Shiva, Amman Bramarambigai, Sri Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Bairavar and Agasthiyar. The Temple which is open 24 hours a day is not protected by doors or a compound wall and has no presiding priest - leaving devotees free to perform their own puja.


Parvathamalai summit


One of the unique features of the Temple on Parvathamalai is that all may enter the inner shrine (sanctum sanctorum) in order to perform their own puja to Lord Shiva, the Goddess, Sri Ganesha and Lord Murugan. The busiest times at Parvathamalai are the days of full moon, no moon and new moon.



Javadi hills from summit



Another View from Summit


Renovation Work at Temple
[Extract from National Newspaper]

"Over 4,500-ft high, Parvathamalai challenges climbers. Tough and rugged, it has 1,800 steps. “With descending clouds keeping you company, it is a unique experience to walk in this virgin terrain," say devotees, who have been visiting the hill for two decades, to worship Lord Mallikarjuna and His consort Brahmarambika.

The dilapidated state of the Temple forced some devotees from Triplicane, Chennai, to form a Renovation Committee. Word spread and help came from all quarters. The HRCE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department) gave the green signal and work started in earnest. But it was not easy. From water to steel and wood to cement, everything had to be transported manually. Literally, an uphill task! Sand was sent up in small bags through climbers and water carried in bottles and cans and emptied into huge drums on the Summit.

In 2009 a lightening and thunder storm caused a setback to the ongoing development. Afterwhich a super-conductor lightning diverter was installed. Huge parts of the tower, weighing 1,000 kg, were moved to the hill top and an expert team from Kodaikanal installed it.

Help came from unexpected quarters. A devotee, after visiting the temple and watching the proceedings, supplied steel and cement. Everything is being built - from walls and pedestals for the idols, to ceiling and gopuram."


Lightning arrester on Hill Summit


There are now two lightning arrestors installed on the Summit, one for the Temple and the other for the Mouna Swami Ashram.



The old grilled plate paths have been removed and concrete steps constructed at the last stage


Archway under construction



Archway after completion leading to Temple on Summit



Temple before new development



Work undertaken in Temple development




Creating new Vimana on Temple



Completed Temple on Summit












Development of Shrines inside Temple



Lord Siva Sannidhi



Devotee's puja of Lord Mallikarjuna



Lord Nandi



The Goddess Sannidhi



Goddess Brahmarambika




In June 2016 after completion of the development of Parvathamalai Temple on the Summit, a grand Mahakumbhabhishekam was performed - the first such observance at this Temple in 600 years.

The summit of Parvathamalai overlooks the ruins of what is believed to be the abandoned, deserted fort of King Nannan (son of Nannan).



From Summit looking at ruins of Fort











Ruins of abandoned fort on summit



Natural theertham on summit outside Temple


Water from a naturally occurring theertham on the Hill summit is used exclusively in the Temple. Water for other uses is pumped to a mandapam sump half way up the Hill on specific days.


Lord Nandi on Summit looking towards Arunachala



View of Arunachala from Parvathamalai Summit



Shadow of Parvathamalai from summit



View from summit



Dusk from summit of Parvathamalai



Ashrams and Accommodation


Ashram on Summit of Parvathamalai


As well as having an Ashram at the foot of Parvathamalai, the 'Triplicane Sri Paruvathamalai Adiyargal Thiruppani Sangam' is also dedicated to the construction of the Mouna Guruswamy Ashram on the summit of the Hill.

The construction of the Ashram has been ongoing for the last 10 years. The ashram is still under development, however even now (in its unfinished state) it offers food and accommodation to pilgrims But call first and speak direct to the office, if you hope to enjoy the facilities of either ashrams during a visit to Parvathamalai. To get in touch with Mouna Guruswamy Ashram (currently under development) at the top of Parvathamalai call Sri Sridhar at +919688505403.

Facilities available on summit of Hill
 (i) Electricity
Though there is no source of power at the top of the hill, a small portable genset (2000w) functions and lights up the area and Ashram building at night time.

(ii) Telephone:
A mobile Cell Phone is working at the top, which establishes contact with the Ashram down below as well as outside. The contact with the Ashram is by intercom facility provided by (wireless) transmitters the range of which is upto 30 to 50 kms.

(iii) Food and water:
Free food (3 times a day) and water are provided by the Parvathamalai Ashram.