Like most Murugan temples, Marudhamalai Murugan temple is situated upon a hill that is a part of the Western Ghats and is about 12 km west from the city of Coimbatore.
This is an ancient temple. References to this temple are found in inscriptions in the Thirumuruganpoondi temple. Thirumuruganpoondi temple is a "Tevarapaadalpetrastalam" and is at least 1200 years old. So we can surmise that the Marudhamalai temple is older than 1200 years.
There is a shrine called the "Paambaatti Sitthar Kugai" (Paambaatti Sitthar cave) that is in proximity to the Murugan temple. Legend has it that a Sitthar referred to as the Paambaatti Sitthar lived here in Marudhamalai. Paambaatti Sitthar is one of the most notable 18 Sitthars. Pambaatti Sitthar as his name indicates that he was associated with snake charming. As is the custom of the Sitthars of Tamil Nadu, he too, in the interest of mankind, has written extensively on the medicinal values and applications of plants.
Near the foothills, there is a temple for Lord Pillayar who is known as the "Thaanthondri Vinaayakar" (which means that the Pillayar idol appeared on its own without human intervention.)
This temple is under the control of Religious endowments department of Government of Tamil Nadu
This temple is located on a hilltop called Marudha Malai (roughly translating to "hill of vegetation"), true to its name, the legend has it that this hill has many herbs of medicinal value. The hill is also home to a particular sect of tribal tamil people. The temple in recent years has been renovated and the local business community is supporting this activity. The temple also plans to have a rope car operate from the foothills. In recent years number of Nature cure clinics have come up nearby this hillside.
Facilities
This is by all means a great boon to the physically handicapped who cannot climb the steps. There are three mini buses run by the Devasthanam, plying to and fro in quick succession at a very nominal charge for the benefit of the devotees. The Ghat Road is also electrified.
At dusk, it is a varietable feast to the eye to stand far away from the hills and gaze at the illumination spiraling like stars strung together in the sky.
On the hilltop there is a wedding hall for celebrating marriage and at the foothill, there is a rest house, called Marudham which has twelve rooms provided with excellent amenities for stay and worship.
Nearby Tourist Spots:
Hill
Marudhamalai Hills, dedicated to Lord Muruga (Dandayudhapani) is classified under Kunruthoradal, one of the six main abodes of the god. Set against the backdrop of hazy blue hills dotted with shrubs and bushes of varied hues, the sacred shrine verily reflects the picture of Lord Muruga, magnificently mounted on his vehicle peacock, flaunting and swaying its feathers and plume in full bloom.
The Sanskrit word "achalam" denotes mountain. As the mountain here abounded in marudham trees, it came to be known as Marudhachalam. Marudhamalai is also called Marundhumalai, for it is overgrown with shrubs and bushes of medicinal properties. Hence, Marudhamalai is befittingly given the name Marudhamalai (Mountain of Medicines). This is referred to as Marudhamalvarai, Marudhavarai, Marudha Verpu, Marudha Kundru, Marudhavongal, Kamarpirangu, Marudhachalam, Velvarai in Perur Puranam.
Special Features
The holy shrine of Marudhamalai is believed to remove both physical and mental afflictions and attachments as the hill abounds in Medicinal herbs. The pleasant breeze and the peaceful environments bring harmony and quietness to the minds of devotees. The saints and holymen used to prefer this hill and came here in search of 'KayaKalpam' the Divine medicine for Salvation. The celestial cow 'Kamadhenu' is believed to have grazed in the pastures of this hillock and drunk from the springs under the Marudham tree as per Perur Puranam written by Kachiappa Munivar.
The Shrine of Idumba
The shrine of Idumba is located almost in the middle of the path of steps. The image of the deity is carved on a huge round rock in the posture of carrying a Kaavadi. Married couples having no issues worship the deity and offer toy cradles with the firm faith of being blessed with progeny by the Grace of god.
Kudirai Kulambu
Continuing our ascent, we find a beautiful mandapam, enshrining what is called 'Kudirai Kulambu' (hoof marks of the horse). It is believed that the horse of Lord Muruga caused the Marks, as He marched against the Demon Surapadma. Or the horse on which Lord Muruga rode and chased the robbers referred to earlier might have imprinted by them.
Primal Shrine
The presiding deity, it is said, is a later installation, the original deity being that of Lord Subramanya with His two consorts, Valli and Teyvannai, enshrined nearby to the south in the outer Prakara. They are the very deities referred to in the Perur Puranam. It is here the gods persecuted by Surapadama approached Lord Subramanya and implored Him to destroy the demon. The deities are all of spontaneous origin (swayambhu).
The Main Shrine
The shrine is not a big one. The sanctum sanctorum and the Ardha Mandapam are comparatively small. The front mandapam is wide enough to accommodate a fairly large number of devotees. Sivalingam flanks the presiding deity on the left and Ambigai on the right in the outer Prakara.
Pambatti Siddhar Cave
Siddhas are mystic philosophers who exercise their mental faculties to the utmost and attain godhead by means of meditation and reflection. They are endowed with incredible powers of the mind by which they perform great miracles and astound the common world. Siddhas can set at rest all their senses and awaken their spirit alone. Thus they are bodily asleep and spiritually awake. In this blessed mood they enter into a personal communion with god.
As the Siddha used to animate dead snakes and dance with him, he was popularly known as Pambatti Siddhar. Once he transmigrated into the deadbody of a king and performed great miracles. He composed songs of enlightenment. 'Siddharudam' is a work, attributed to his prophetic genius. Lord Muruga took joy in teasing and tantalizing the Siddha with His spiritual pranks. Once as an enormous boulder came down, rollinggaining momentum, the siddha tried to halt it, Arrested its movement and averted a great havoc.
The Pambatti Siddhar Cave is another shrine drawing our attention. It is located on the slopes towards the east and can be approached by a narrow path, protected by a stone hedge or parapet. Pambatti Siddhar used this cave as his abode for meditation on Lord Muruga and attained salvation here. One can notice a natural image of a snake on the rock.
Of the eighteen noted siddhas with such attributes, was one Pambatti Siddhar greatly revered in the Kongu region. He is credited with having lived in the company of snakes and made them dance to his tunes. He himself was delighted to dance with them. Once, in the course of his wanderings, he chanced to meet one, Sattai Muni Siddhar, a contemporary and counterpart who initiated him into the art of entering into trances - the Jeeva Samadhi Nilai.
A snake comes to the cave everyday and feeds itself on the fruit and milk kept for it. There is an underground passage from the cave to the primal shrine through which the Pambati Siddhar wended his way everyday to worship Lord Subramanya in the Company of His consorts.
Panchavriksha
There is a cluster of trees closely interwinding one another. Under this is installed an Idol of Lord Ganesha. Daily poojas are performed to this deity also. The breeze wafting along the foliage has an unfailing cure for all diseases of the people. A host of saints, invisible to the common man's eyes, are supposed to dwell here doing meditation. An aged Irula tribesman, 75 years old identified the entangled trees as Korakattai, Ichi, Banyan, Vakkanai and Ottu maram and added there was one tree in the group, Peepal in the days of yore, and it is extinct now. The tribesman also said that this tree existed in the same manner even during his childhood. This is a unique phenomenon attracting not only devotees but also botanists.
Uchipillayar Kovil
Two kilometers north of the main shrine is situated 'Uchipilliayar Kovil' gracing the devotees. The idol has been installed recently. On every 'Chathurthi' the deity is bedewed, anointed and adorned and devotees throng the temple in great numbers to worship on that day.
Right from foot hills to the temple on top we find elegantly built mandapams erected for devotees to take rest. These are a boon to the sevarthees who frequent the temple.
Other Shrines
To the right of the main shrine inside the prakara we find Sri.Patteeswarar shrine (the main deity of Perur). To the left is located Sri.Maragathambigai shrine (the main goddess of Perur). The main shrine of Lord Muruga is a unique Somaskanda Moorthy as the Lord is enshrined between
Just in front of Maragathambigai, we have the Navagraham shrine. Another unique feature of the temple is the Perumal shrine towards the left of Alangara Mandapam. The Sapta Kanimar shrine is located at the banks of Marutha Theertham. This is the reason why it is called Kanni Theertham.
Water Source
There are springs of holy water with the names Marudha Theertham and Skanda Theertham. A dip into these springs brings forth health and wealth to devotees.
Sthala Vriksham
The Marudham tree is the sthala vriksham (sacred tree of the shrine)
Temple Pooja Times
6.00 A.M. (Ushakkalam) Kalasandhi 9.00 A.M. Uchikkalam 12.00 A.M Tiru koil kappiduthal .00 to 2.00 P.M in day time Sayaratchai 5.00 P.M.
Ardha Jama 8.30 P.M. (Rakkalam)
The offering of tiru kappu may change on certain occasions and festive days.
Festivals & Poojas
Festivals
There are several festivals celebrated glorifying Lord Marudhachalapathy like Karttikai, adi Pathinettu, Padivizha, Tamil New year's Day, English New Year's Day, Karttikai Deepam, Thaipoosam - Brahmotsavam, Panguni Uttiram etc. The Thaipoosam Car Festival is a festival, most splendid and spectacular, attracting a large number of devotees.
Daily Poojas and Archanas
Daily poojas and archanas are performed for the presiding deity. There are schemes enabling the devotees to perform abhishegam and archana for the deity everyday. An endowment investment of Rs. 3000/- under 'Nitya Pooja Kattalai' will facilitate a devotee to perform abhishegam and archana in his or her name on a day specified. An offering of Rs. 50/- to the temple will fetch the prasadam of the deity of the Archana performed in the devotee's name on Krithigai for one full year. Prasadam is sent to the devotee concerned by post. Mention may be made here that several devotees from abroad have joined these schemes and are blessed by Lord Muruga.
