Dolosbage Sri Murugan Temple

 

Dolosbage Sri Murugan Temple

 

-Kuru Aravinthan-

 

In Dolosbage, a picturesque town located in the highlands of Sri Lanka, 50 kilometers from Kandy, lies the Thamaravalli Tea Estate, situated at an altitude of 5,000 feet. It is nestled between the inspiring Reeksava and Kaparakala rock ranges. At the heart of the Thamaravalli Tea Estate is the Dolosbage Thamaravalli Srimurugan Temple, whose main deities are Vinayakar and Ammen. Priests and locals also worship Valli, Theivanai, and Srimurugan, also known as Puspaskandan. The temple is near the Mahaoya river, known as 'Thirtham,' and features a large mango tree, referred to as 'Thala Maram' (Anacardiaceae), which provides much-needed shoots, leaves, pods, and bark with medicinal properties to its devotees.

 

Shortly following the emergence of idolatry in the Hindu religious tradition, temple structures started to appear. Generally, Hindu temples include a mandapam (a pillared hall for gatherings), garbhagriha (the innermost sanctum housing the deity), prakarams (enclosure walls or corridors), and a gopuram (an ornate entrance tower). The garbhagriha consists of components like the utpitham, adhisthanam, padavargam, prasthanam, vimanam, and obelisk. These structures are arranged to express Hindu philosophies through images according to the Vedic Agamas. The Agamas consist of four parts: kriya (action), charya (conduct), yoga, and jnana (knowledge). Symbolic of Hinduism, these temples contain artwork depicting virtue, materiality, pleasure, wealth, and karma.

 

Most temples in Sri Lanka take inspiration from South Indian architecture, reflecting the spread of Tamil culture. The place where the deity is seated is known as the garbhagriha, moolasthanam, or karuvarai. The gopuram has Hindu sculptures, and the topmost part is called kalasam. Nandi, the devotee of Lord Shiva, can typically be seen upon entering.

 

During the Pallava period, the kudavara temples came into existence. Later, during the Chola period, the sanctums were built higher. It was during the succeeding Pandya period that the towers were erected separately. The gopurams were built well above the treeline to ensure the temple was visible from the surrounding area.

 

Thamaravalli Srimurugan Temple in Dolosbage follows this architectural tradition. Let's delve into the history of this temple. After Sri Lanka gained independence from the British in 1948, British-owned tea estates were sold. Jaffna businessman and billionaire Mr. A.V. Krishnapillai returned from Malaysia and decided to invest in the tea plantation business. On October 1, 1954, he purchased a 1,000-acre tea plantation and an associated factory from the British company Simon Company and ran it successfully. At that time, there were no nearby Hindu temples for his family, who were Saiva Hindu devotees, to worship. To pray, one had to travel to Navalapitti town, 30 km away.

 

Mr. Krishnapillai decided to build a Saiva temple in the central part of the Thamaravalli estate, not only for himself but also for the Hindu people living in the area. As a result, the construction of Srimurugan Temple at Dolosbage began in 1959. By 1960, the temple construction was completed, idols were brought from India and enshrined, and a ten-day Kumbha Abhishekam ceremony took place. This was followed by Nithya Puja and annual ten-day festivals. Hindu religious and cultural discourses are also held here during festivals.

 

From 1970 onwards, his son Mr. V.K. Rabindrasodhi and son-in-law Mr. S. R. Nalliah, and Mr. K. Sivagananathan took charge. In 1972, the private estates, including the tea factory, were nationalized. The family maintained their portion of the tea plantation. After being affected by communal riots in 1977, Mr. Krishnapillai retired from business and moved to his native town 'Urelu' in Jaffna.

 

In 1983, the family was forced to relocate again due to ethnic riots. The temple, bungalow, and adjoining land were kept as family property, while the rest of the estate was sold. The responsibility of maintaining these and running the temple was entrusted to a relative, Mr. Navasothi.

 

In 2002, Mr. Pranavan Sivagananathan and Mr. Arul Sivagananathan took on the responsibility of maintaining the temple. Upon visiting the Thamaravalli tea estate, they found that many idols were broken and stolen, and the temple was not well-maintained. They began renovation work and performed Kumbha Abhishekam again in February 2004. A holiday was observed in neighboring gardens on this holy day, with more than 500 workers and their families attending the event.

 

It was evident that those who desecrated the temple and stole the idols were punished by the deities over time. As Hinduism operates on a spiritual basis rooted in the Vedas and Upanishads, neighbors understood that 'God will stand still.' One culprit died of a snakebite, another in a bus accident, and a third fell from a tree and became unable to walk.

 

After twelve years, in 2015, the temple was renovated again, and a new Kumbha Abhishekam was held. Today, devotees from all over the world visit this temple to experience its glory and seek grace. Recently, Kaviyogi Sudthananda Bharatiyar, Kunrakkudi Adiyalar, Pithukuli Murugados Swami, Yogi Ramai Swami, Kuala Lumpur Swaminatha Thambiran, Mahadeva Achiramam Sri Vadivel Swami, Thabovanam Sachidananda Swami, Atmajyothi Muthiah, Arumnayagam, Thangamma Appakkutty have worshiped and preached at this temple. Recently, the great Saravanabhava Swami visited the temple from England. Knowing the glory of the temple, he expressed his desire to come here one day and stay in the beautiful natural environment.

 

The daily four-day pujas at the temple are ongoing. Special abishekam, prayers, and alms are offered on Monday and Friday. Alms are also given during festivals. Apart from this, all Hindu festivals are celebrated here. Pongal is served to the devotees who visit the temple every Friday. And on days like Diwali, Thai Pongal, Thaiboosam, Shivratri, Navratri, Thiruvenpa, Tamil New Year, Vaikasi Visakham, Vesak, etc., pujas are held on a large scale. Temple founder, the late Mr. Krishnapillai, promised the temple is now run by the third-generation family. By the grace of Srimurugan, who resides in Tolaspaghai Thamaravalli, there is hope in everyone's mind that the temple will be maintained and run continuously under their guidance. Om Muruga!

Thamaravalli Srimurugan Temple

  The source Mulavar is - God Sri Murugan

  Goddess - Ambal Valli

  Talathirtham - ‘Mahaoya branch waterfall’

  Talavirutcam is the - ‘Mango tree’

  The temple was built by Mr. A.V. Krishnapillai

  65 years old

  Moderators: V.K. Rabindrasothi

  Pranavan Sivagananathan

  Arul Sivagananathan

  Location - Dolosbage

  District - Kandy

  Country - Sri Lanka

  The coordinate is -  7°05′N 80°28′N

  Elevation above sea level is 3,500 feet