Location
Marudhamalai Hills Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple is situated at a height of about 500 feet in a plateau on the Western Ghats, fifteen kilometers north west of Coimbatore, amidst lush vegetation and salubrious climate
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.
Lord Murugan At Marudhamalai
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.
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.
Theertham
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)
Marudhamalai Murugan Temple
deity Moolavar
At length, we reach the top where Lord Subramanya reigns supreme in all His radiance, exuding all grace and charm! The idol made of granite is about five feet in height, facing the east with the right hand holding Dandayudham (rod), the left hand placed on the hip and a spear (vel) placed across. The image bears a close resemblance to the deity at Palani. The statue at the sanctum sanctorum, divested of all its adornments, loined with a slender cloth brings to our mind the ‘Andi Kolam’, the aspect of a mendicant assumed by the Lord in Palani. What distinguishes Marudhamalai Andavar from Palani Ândavar is the sporting of a turban on the head with a tuft behind. The beauty of the deity defies all description and is more a thing to be experienced than expressed.
History
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 12 th 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.
Method of Worship
The daily puja is performed according to Kamika Agamam.
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
There are several festivals celebrated glorifying Lord Marudhachalapathy like Kârttikai, Âdi Pathinettu, Padivizha, Tamil New year’s Day, English New Year’s Day, Kârttikai 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.
Inscription
The names like Marudhachalam, Marudham have been in existence even in the 12th century. Evidence of their information is found on the inscriptions in the temples of Avinashi and Tiru MuruganPoondi. Many inscriptions especially No. 249 and AR No. 573 of 893 found on the walls of the Garbagraha of Tiru Muruganpoondi, Sri Muruganathar temple explain incidences where these names are mentioned.
