The movie "Deivam" produced by the grand old movie producer of Tamilnadu, M.M.A.Chinnappa Devar opens with the memerable song "Marudhamalai Maamaniye Murugaiya, Devarin Kulam Kaakkum Vellayya" was the first colour movie which popularised the Subramanyaswamy Temple at Marudhamalai on the outskirts of Coimbatore - the ecological capital of Tamilnadu. However the temple has always been an important pilgrimage for centuries. People have thronging the temple by the thousands on occasions like the annual Thai Poosam festival or the monthly Kiruthikai. Thousands of faithful don green robes and walk up to the shrine at the time of the Thai poosam. They walk bare foot and carry offerings and kavadis to the temple of Lord Subramanya - The Lord of the people of Tamilnadu. One Ramanna Gounder of Thudiyalur began an Annadana Kattalai at the Marudamalai Temple over a hundred years ago and it is being continued by his near and dear year after year. The group of people are known as the "Thai Poosa Annadana Kuzhu" and they normally accumulate provisions, vegetables, money and man power from the farms and the villages including Urumandampalayam in addition to those found in and around Thudiyalur and feed thousands of devotees including the poor amongst them year after year. The Thai Poosam Abhishekham and Sandanakaapu done on the eve of the festival would resonate with prayer and devotion. The sandal wood paste smeared decoratively on the Lord is processed at the residences of the descendants of Ramanna Gounder up to this day.
The temple has a hoary past and is very much part of the history of Kongunaad. Lord Muruga is glorified as the God of mountains and associated regions in the noted work of the Sangam Age - Thirumurugattrupadai. Muruga is said to mean sweetness, beauty, divinity and honey and its but natural that he has his abode on the hills. The temple is situated on a 500 high plateau on the Western Ghats at a distance of 15 kilometres on the North Western side of the jewellery city of Tamilnadu - Coimbatore. The Perur Puranam of Kachyapar traces the origin of this temple and the origin dates back to the period of Surapadma and his brothers Singamukha, Taraka who were the scourge of the Devas. The Thirumuruganpoondi inscriptions place the antiquity of this temple to the 12 th century AD. According to Perur Puranam the tormented Devas sought protection at the feet of Lord Shiva and the good Lord assured them that Lord Muruga would rescue them during the course of time. Meanwhile the Devas were advised to hasten to Marudamalai and await the incarnation of Lord Muruga. The Puranam further adds that the King Kusadhwajan was blessed with a male issue after offering his prayers here while the Divine Cow Nandhini is said to have grazed on these hills. The Perur Puranam goes on to add that the the three neighbouring hills Vellingiri,Nili and Marudamalai represent Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi and Lord Subramanya respectively. Therefore the three hills are considered to be the very symbol of Somaskanda. The Kongunaad region of Tamilnadu is famous for this Somaskanda format and even the deities placed at the ancient Kottai Sangameswaraswamy Temple in Kottaimedu adheres to it.
The name Marudhachalapathy means Master of the Hills, which were full of Marudham trees and he assumed this appellation thanks to his association with the trees and the hills. Once upon a time, a Siddha overcome by thirst prayed for water to Lord Muruga while resting under the Marudham tree and water gushed forth due to Divine grace from the tree eventually giving it the appellation Marudha Jala Pathy. In Sanskrit Achalam means mountain and the mountains full of the famous Marudham trees came to be known as Marudhamalai . Due to the presence of trees and shrubs containing several medicinal properties the hills are known as "Marundhumalai" meaning hill of medicines - they also connote the Divine medicine called "Grace of Lord Subramanya". The hills are the natural boundaries for Arainadu which is among the 24 parts of Kongunaad. The hills are considered to be Lord Muruga himself and the great Saint Arunagirinadhar has eugolised the deity in his compositions.
People pray to the Lord Thanthondri Vinayagar near the foothills and he is extolled in the "Marudhamalai Thanthondri Padhigam" of the Perur Puranam and if one ascends the nearby "Padhinettam Padi" (18 steps) it is said to help fulfill the wishes of people who are unable to climb the 18 steps at Sabarimalai. The climb has been made easy and has been adorned with a number of shades meant for resting. Once three thieves plundered jewellery belonging to the temple and therefore were cursed to become three stones which are found in different colours. A flat stone below the coloured ones is said to represents the treasure.
The Idumba shrine is quite important for it blesses childless couples with progeny and one can see many such couples offering toy cradles on this spot. The image of Idumba is carved on a rock in the posture of him carrying a kavadi. As the devotees continue their climb they can see the "Kudirai Kulambhu" the place which contains the marks of the hoofs of Lord Muruga's horse when he took off to attack Surapadma and some believe that this could be connected to the thieves episode. The primal shrine of the Lord Muruga houses him along with his consorts Valli and Devasena. It is here that the Devas had implored him to vanquish Surapadma.
The Lord Subramanya in the sanctum is about five feet tall and is hewn out of hard granite. He faces the east and his right hand holds a Dhandayudham (rod), while the left hand is placed on his hip and a spear or Vel is placed across. No wonder Lord Muruga is called both Dhandayudham and Velayudham. The Vel or the spear made of silver present in the sanctum is said to have been offered by the Zamindar of Samathur near Pollachi The Lord here has a close resemblence to the Icon at Palani and people consider that a prayer here is like offering a surrender to the Lord at Palani. The aspect that distinguishes both the Icons is the presence of a turban on the head and a tuft or kudumi at the back. He is so handsome and beyond an explanation. It is better to experience it directly. According to Kachyapar, even a thousand Gods of Love (Maras) are no equal to him. A holy dip into the Kanni Theertham, Marudha Theertham, Skandha Theertham is said to bestow health and joy.
The Pambatti Siddhar cave is a must for every devotee and its the shrine of a snake charmer who became a Siddha later. He is said to have lived with snakes at the Pandya country and had tamed venomous snakes who later danced to his tunes. Once he met Sattai Muni Siddhar who initiated him into the art of entering into trances. Once, Pambatti Siddhar got into the body of a dead king and performed miracles. He has composed "Siddharudram" and Lord Muruga took great pleasure in teasing the Siddha with his spiritual pranks. There happens to be an underground cave which was used by the Siddhar to pray at the shrine and it is said that a snake comes to the cave everyday in order to feed on the fruit and milk placed there. The cluster of trees known as Panchavriksha is a unique phenomenon at this place. A host od Saints are said to dwell on these trees which is the home to an Icon of Lord Ganesha. The Temple complex has shrines for Navagrahas, Uchi Pillaiyar, Lord Shiva, Goddess Ambal, Lord Vishnu and the hill shrine is famous for the festivals which include - Kruthikai, Adi Padhinettu, Padivizha, Tamil New Year, Karthigai Deepam, English New Year, Thai Poosam - Brahmotsavam and Panguni Uthiram. The nice gilded car or chariot at the temple is used often.
The film producer M.M.A.Chinnappa Devar has done much for this temple and due to his influence even the Late Chief Minister M.G.Ramachandran has participated in the inauguration of one of the facilities connected with the temple. A school and a number of other charitable institutions are run on behalf of this temple. The temple was recently renovated at a huge cost and yet the devotees seem to prefer the convenient steps that were laid much earlier.
Years ago, the people of the town of Coimbatore used to travel by bullock carts to Marudhamalai, climb the hills, drink the water found there before offering prayers. Former Member of Parliament P.R.Ramakrishnan used to recall his childhood when he used to accompany his parents V.Rangaswamy Naidu and Chinnammal along with his elder brother R.Venkataswamy Naidu to the temple. The family members at the century old jewellery enterprise P.A.Raju Chettiar & Brother continue to make a small offering to a hundi placed in front of a portrait of Lord Subramanya whom they consider as the Lord of Marudhamalai everyday and on the filling up of the same they use it to feed the devotees visiting the shrine by participating with the "Thai Poosa Annadhana Kuzhu" managed by Thiruvalar Vellingiri and his devotee associates. There are many unsung glories of Lord Marudhachalamurthy which will continue to emerge as valuble treasures to the endless number of devotees who wish to cross the ocean of samsara. The grace of Lord Subramanya, the handsome and benevolent Lord at Marudhamalai is sure to bestow Coimbatore with gushing waters from the River Noyyal - The Lifeline of Coimbatore, The Rome of Kongunaad.
The temple has a hoary past and is very much part of the history of Kongunaad. Lord Muruga is glorified as the God of mountains and associated regions in the noted work of the Sangam Age - Thirumurugattrupadai. Muruga is said to mean sweetness, beauty, divinity and honey and its but natural that he has his abode on the hills. The temple is situated on a 500 high plateau on the Western Ghats at a distance of 15 kilometres on the North Western side of the jewellery city of Tamilnadu - Coimbatore. The Perur Puranam of Kachyapar traces the origin of this temple and the origin dates back to the period of Surapadma and his brothers Singamukha, Taraka who were the scourge of the Devas. The Thirumuruganpoondi inscriptions place the antiquity of this temple to the 12 th century AD. According to Perur Puranam the tormented Devas sought protection at the feet of Lord Shiva and the good Lord assured them that Lord Muruga would rescue them during the course of time. Meanwhile the Devas were advised to hasten to Marudamalai and await the incarnation of Lord Muruga. The Puranam further adds that the King Kusadhwajan was blessed with a male issue after offering his prayers here while the Divine Cow Nandhini is said to have grazed on these hills. The Perur Puranam goes on to add that the the three neighbouring hills Vellingiri,Nili and Marudamalai represent Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi and Lord Subramanya respectively. Therefore the three hills are considered to be the very symbol of Somaskanda. The Kongunaad region of Tamilnadu is famous for this Somaskanda format and even the deities placed at the ancient Kottai Sangameswaraswamy Temple in Kottaimedu adheres to it.
The name Marudhachalapathy means Master of the Hills, which were full of Marudham trees and he assumed this appellation thanks to his association with the trees and the hills. Once upon a time, a Siddha overcome by thirst prayed for water to Lord Muruga while resting under the Marudham tree and water gushed forth due to Divine grace from the tree eventually giving it the appellation Marudha Jala Pathy. In Sanskrit Achalam means mountain and the mountains full of the famous Marudham trees came to be known as Marudhamalai . Due to the presence of trees and shrubs containing several medicinal properties the hills are known as "Marundhumalai" meaning hill of medicines - they also connote the Divine medicine called "Grace of Lord Subramanya". The hills are the natural boundaries for Arainadu which is among the 24 parts of Kongunaad. The hills are considered to be Lord Muruga himself and the great Saint Arunagirinadhar has eugolised the deity in his compositions.
People pray to the Lord Thanthondri Vinayagar near the foothills and he is extolled in the "Marudhamalai Thanthondri Padhigam" of the Perur Puranam and if one ascends the nearby "Padhinettam Padi" (18 steps) it is said to help fulfill the wishes of people who are unable to climb the 18 steps at Sabarimalai. The climb has been made easy and has been adorned with a number of shades meant for resting. Once three thieves plundered jewellery belonging to the temple and therefore were cursed to become three stones which are found in different colours. A flat stone below the coloured ones is said to represents the treasure.
The Idumba shrine is quite important for it blesses childless couples with progeny and one can see many such couples offering toy cradles on this spot. The image of Idumba is carved on a rock in the posture of him carrying a kavadi. As the devotees continue their climb they can see the "Kudirai Kulambhu" the place which contains the marks of the hoofs of Lord Muruga's horse when he took off to attack Surapadma and some believe that this could be connected to the thieves episode. The primal shrine of the Lord Muruga houses him along with his consorts Valli and Devasena. It is here that the Devas had implored him to vanquish Surapadma.
The Lord Subramanya in the sanctum is about five feet tall and is hewn out of hard granite. He faces the east and his right hand holds a Dhandayudham (rod), while the left hand is placed on his hip and a spear or Vel is placed across. No wonder Lord Muruga is called both Dhandayudham and Velayudham. The Vel or the spear made of silver present in the sanctum is said to have been offered by the Zamindar of Samathur near Pollachi The Lord here has a close resemblence to the Icon at Palani and people consider that a prayer here is like offering a surrender to the Lord at Palani. The aspect that distinguishes both the Icons is the presence of a turban on the head and a tuft or kudumi at the back. He is so handsome and beyond an explanation. It is better to experience it directly. According to Kachyapar, even a thousand Gods of Love (Maras) are no equal to him. A holy dip into the Kanni Theertham, Marudha Theertham, Skandha Theertham is said to bestow health and joy.
The Pambatti Siddhar cave is a must for every devotee and its the shrine of a snake charmer who became a Siddha later. He is said to have lived with snakes at the Pandya country and had tamed venomous snakes who later danced to his tunes. Once he met Sattai Muni Siddhar who initiated him into the art of entering into trances. Once, Pambatti Siddhar got into the body of a dead king and performed miracles. He has composed "Siddharudram" and Lord Muruga took great pleasure in teasing the Siddha with his spiritual pranks. There happens to be an underground cave which was used by the Siddhar to pray at the shrine and it is said that a snake comes to the cave everyday in order to feed on the fruit and milk placed there. The cluster of trees known as Panchavriksha is a unique phenomenon at this place. A host od Saints are said to dwell on these trees which is the home to an Icon of Lord Ganesha. The Temple complex has shrines for Navagrahas, Uchi Pillaiyar, Lord Shiva, Goddess Ambal, Lord Vishnu and the hill shrine is famous for the festivals which include - Kruthikai, Adi Padhinettu, Padivizha, Tamil New Year, Karthigai Deepam, English New Year, Thai Poosam - Brahmotsavam and Panguni Uthiram. The nice gilded car or chariot at the temple is used often.
The film producer M.M.A.Chinnappa Devar has done much for this temple and due to his influence even the Late Chief Minister M.G.Ramachandran has participated in the inauguration of one of the facilities connected with the temple. A school and a number of other charitable institutions are run on behalf of this temple. The temple was recently renovated at a huge cost and yet the devotees seem to prefer the convenient steps that were laid much earlier.
Years ago, the people of the town of Coimbatore used to travel by bullock carts to Marudhamalai, climb the hills, drink the water found there before offering prayers. Former Member of Parliament P.R.Ramakrishnan used to recall his childhood when he used to accompany his parents V.Rangaswamy Naidu and Chinnammal along with his elder brother R.Venkataswamy Naidu to the temple. The family members at the century old jewellery enterprise P.A.Raju Chettiar & Brother continue to make a small offering to a hundi placed in front of a portrait of Lord Subramanya whom they consider as the Lord of Marudhamalai everyday and on the filling up of the same they use it to feed the devotees visiting the shrine by participating with the "Thai Poosa Annadhana Kuzhu" managed by Thiruvalar Vellingiri and his devotee associates. There are many unsung glories of Lord Marudhachalamurthy which will continue to emerge as valuble treasures to the endless number of devotees who wish to cross the ocean of samsara. The grace of Lord Subramanya, the handsome and benevolent Lord at Marudhamalai is sure to bestow Coimbatore with gushing waters from the River Noyyal - The Lifeline of Coimbatore, The Rome of Kongunaad.