Balamurugan Temple In Kerala: Murugan Here Accepts Only Munch Chocolate As Prasad

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This is a temple near Kochi, in Allapuzha Kerala, where Lord Murugan displays fondness for Nestle Munch chocolates, a tradition that was initiated by a devout young muslim lad about 6 years back and then onwards.

Munch seva and Munch Tulabharam have been added to the puja procedure as additional sevas. This temple belongs to Bala Murugan, or baby Murugan, who is now referred to as Munch Murugan.

Legend Associated: The authorities of the temple say that it all started six years ago, when a Muslim boy residing near the temple, broke into the temple while playing and rang the temple bell.

His parents were angry that he did something that their religion did not approve. They dragged the boy back home, but on the same day, the boy developed health complications.

He was seen chanting Murugans name incessantly in a delirious state. His parents were worried about this development and brought him to the temple the next day. Purohits were consulted.

Purohits opined that the boy needs to offer something to Murugan to rectify the problem. Parents of the boy offered oil and flowers to Murugan while the boy, who was asked to do the same, refused to do so and stubbornly offered Munch Chocolate at the sanctum of the lord.

The next minute something came over him and he was cured of his sickness almost instantly.
Devotees from various regions of Kerala visit here to offer Munch chocolate boxes. Munch is a regular prasad offered to devotees here.

The temple is known as Chemmoth Sri Subramanya Swami shrine a temple in Alapuzha which belongs to Bala Murugan.

In contrast to other temples which distribute fruits and sandal paste as prasad, this temple stands as an exception where Lord Murugan listens to only devoted prayers and accepts sincere offerings.

Sincere Prayers Work: The boy must have certainly identified himself as Bala Murugans friend and wanted to give him something to eat. When this was not encouraged by his parents, he must have felt very sorry.

Hence Murugan induced the illness in him and made him return to the temple with his parents. Incidentally, this temple is visited frequently by college goers and school students who make vows and offer Munch once they are fulfilled.

Tales about this have spread making Munch Murugan famous all over Kerala. Temple is undergoing renovation.

Now about the Munch puja ritual. Munch puja is an additional puja which is of two types. One is Munch Tulabharam and the other is Munch Para.

And this is done after offering flowers and Sandal paste 'Thekkan Palani' Balasubramania temple differs as chocolate bars of the main emblem are offered by devotees who get back the entire chocolate bar as prasad.

Pray to your Ishta devata before you start the pilgrimage. Reserve your accommodation at temple premises much before you travel. Take a bath and then enter the temple.

Chant the mantra of your Ishta devata inside the temple. Put your offerings in the hundi. Do not come to the temple only with an intention to consume the chocolate prasad.

Restrictions and Permissions: Be focussed on Murugan and not the Munch. Smoking, drinking, meat eating, requesting temple authorities for a quick darshan is not allowed for anyone.

Do not carry any weapon or head guards inside the temple. Sashtanga pranam inside the sanctum is not allowed. Do not buy fake prasad from vendors outside the temple.

God has blessed the true devotees as he acknowledges even a leaf of Tulsi offered with theertham if it is offered with ultimate devotion, belief and surrender.

This has been reiterated by Bhagwan Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. He does not discriminate between sects and creeds. For him all his children are the same, as they are a part of the bigger soul, that is god.

It is only us who discriminate and disrespect the spirit of equality that should be displayed amongst human beings.