Marudhamalai
is a small natural hill lying to the west of Coimbatore. More than 800 years
old, the presiding deity is Lord Subramaniaswamy. The temple dedicated to Lord
Murugan is at a height of 600 feet from the foot of the hill.
The Flight
of steps is interspread with attractive mandapams. Though shorn of all
sculptural and architectural glories, the hilly background of this temple
compensates for their absence and makes it an attractive picnic spot even from
the point of view of an holiday-maker.
The hoary
past of the temple can be traced in such ancient works as Sage Kachiappar’s
Perur Puranam. The origin of the temple is rooted in legendary antiquity and
dates back to the age of Surapadma, the demon destroyed by Lord Subramanya
referred to in Skandapuranam.
The
inscriptions found in Tiru Muruganatha Swami Temple, Tiru Murugan Poondi Places
the origin of the temple in the 12th century A.D. Kongu Nadu was divided into
24 regions in the early days. It is learnt that one such Arai Nadu in the west
has its boundary in the Marudhamalai Hills.
Perur
Puranam and the inscriptions at Tiru Murugan Poondi speak of Marudhamalai as
the very manifestations of Lord Muruga Himself and the Marudham tree as the
symbolic representation of his spear ( vel ). Marudhamalai is celebrated by
Saint Arunagirinathar in his celestial songs.
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.
Maruthamalai temple is 12kms from Coimbatore and the presiding deity is Lord
Dhandayuthapani. Apart from steps, with resting mantaps there is also a
motorable ghat road to reach the temple that is situated on a hillock.
The temple
was renovated in 1996 and a ‘Mahakumbhabhisekam’ was performed then. Special
pooojas and abhisekhams are done apart from the regular Kiruthigai. It is
considered as true that Lord Dhandayuthapani has performed a number of miracles
to help and to please his devotees.
The temple
is kept open during 05.00AM to 12.00 PM and 02.00 PM to 08.00 PM. Bus routes
are 1, 11, 92, S12, S15, S26, etc.
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.
Perur
puranam lists the three neighboring hills, vellingiri, Nili and Marudhamalai as
the very manifestations of Lord Siva, Parvati and Subramanya respectively and
the three hills taken together as the very symbol of Somaskanda. A siddha,
overcome by excessive tiredness and thirst, sought shelter under the shade of a
Marudham tree and prayed for the mercy of Lord Muruga for a shower of water,
which sprang at once, as though by a miracle from the tree.
As water
gushed out from the roots of the Marudham tree, the Siddha jumped in joy,
glorifying Muruga as the Lord of Marudham and jalam ( water ). With the passage
of time, Marudhajalapati became Marudhachalapati. According to Perur Puranam,
Surapadma, the scourage of the gods aided by his mighty brothers, Singamukha
and Taraka arrayed against them and struck terror in their already agitated
minds by his sudden and surprising charges and depredations. Unable to bear the
agony and anguish, the gods approached Lord Siva and sought His succour.
Lord Siva
comforted the gods that Lord Muruga would come to their rescue, root out and
destroy Surapadma and his retinue enmasse. The gods should hasten to the
Marudhamalai Hills and await the advent of Lord Muruga, their Saviour! Perur
Puranam also alludes to a king called kusathvajan, who it is said, was blessed
with a male issue, only after worshipping Marudhamalai Murugan. This temple is
12 Km from the city, after the Bharathiyar University, on the Western Ghats.
Since the
temple is located amidst ‘Marutham’ trees, it is called Maruthamalai and the
deity is called Maruthachalamurthy, Marutha Malaiyan etc. To conquer
Surapadman, Murugan was praying the Lord for Blessings and Power. Lord Shiva
appeared, conveyed the moola manthram in the ears of Murugan and told him to go
and conquer the demon Surapadman. So temple is called Man-dhirachalam also.
Poojas are
conducted daily four times. Special poojas are done during Vaikasi Visakam,
Aippasi Kandar Sashti, Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthiram etc. Brahmothsavam and Car
Festival are also very famous. Pampati Sidhar was staying here. Arunagiri
Nathar had composed devotional songs on the deity. There are references on this
temple in the stone carvings of 12th century in Thirumurugan Poondi. Procession
of the deity in Golden Car takes place at festival times. The temple is open
betwn 5.30 to 13 hours & 14.00 to 20.00 hrs.
Buses that
ply to the foot hills of the temple are- 1, 1D, S15, S26, 46, 76 etc. Steps are
provided to the temple on the hillock. Two wheelers and Cars can be driven in
the adjuscent motorable road to the top
