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During a visit to Mount Kailash, Lord Brahamma, the creator, after saluting Vinayaka, simply bypassed Muruga and proceeded for darshan of Lord Shiva.  Lord Muruga stopped him and demanded the meaning of the Pranava Mantra from Brahmma which Brahamma was not able to offer.  Hence, Muruga jailed him and began the creation work Himself.  

Brahmma had five faces then.  Lord Muruga too, having assumed the charge of creation had for himself the same five faces.  All the creatures created by Lord Muruga including humans, were of high righteous standards and enjoyed high longevity too.  This added to the burden of Mother Earth.  She went to Lord Shiva and explained her woes.  Lord Shiva intervened, asked Muruga the meaning of Pranava Mantra which Lord Muruga explained.  On the direction of Lord Shiva, Muruga released Brahmma from his captivity.

Lord Muruga explained the meaning of  Pranava (the first Vedic sound Ohm) in Swamimalai.  Here in Irumbarai, Muruga taught the Agamas of the Vedas.  Odhal in Tamil means learning.  Malai means hill.  As Lord Shiva learnt from His son Muruga these philosophies here, the place came to be known as Odhimalai.  The Lord also was named Odhimalai Andavar.

Lord Muruga also graces from another temple at Kumarapalayam Naganatheswarar temple with one face.  Muruga gave darshan to Bogar with one face.  Muruga is known to have six faces, he showed five in Irumbarai and one here.  The sand in the place where Bogar performed his Homa is still white.  During festival days this is offered as Prasad to devotees.

Swayambu Vinayaka graces from a shrine in the foot of the hills.  This hill temple is constructed with Kasiviswanatha on the right of Lord Muruga and Mother Visalakshi in the right, a form known as Somaskanda form.  There are shrines for Idumban and Saptha Kannikas the seven virgin deities.   Lord Shiva who recommended the release of Brahmma graces from a separate shrine at the foot of the hills.

Brahmma was lodged in an iron room.  Irumbu in Tamil means iron and Arai the room.  The place is named after this as Irumbarai.