MARUDHAMALAI TEMPLE
AT
COIMBATORE
Marudhamalai Arulmighu Subramanyaswamy Temple is situated at a height of about 500
feet in a plateau on the Western Ghats, fifteen kilometers north west of
Coimbatore.
Lord Subramaiyaswami as presiding deity, Maruthmalai is
comparatively equal to the Arupadai Veedu. Myth says the temple belonged 12th
Centuary A.D. As per the myths, an exhausted and thirsty sage was in repose
under shadows of Marutham tree prayed Murgan for water. In response water
surged from the tree's roots and the delighted sage called Muruga as Lord of
Marutham and Jalam, whichlater turned Maruthachalpathi.
This temple is considered as the
seventh abode of Lord Murugan. It was patronized by an ardent devotee of
Coimbatore named Chinnapa Thevar.A rajagopuram was built recently and the
kumbabhishekam was grandly performed by the temple devasthanam.
In Sanskrit, "Achalam" means
"Mountain". As the mountain here are surrounded by Marudham trees,
the place is known as "Marudhachalam" and "Marudhamalai"
in Tamil.
The holy shrine of Marudhamalai is believed to remove
both physical and mental afflictions and attachments as the hill abounds in
Medicinal herbs.
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.
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.
There are plenty of town buses from
all over Coimbatore city to this Marudamalai Murugan temple. Apart from the
steps a road is also available to drive up the hill to reach the temple.
Devasthanam mini buses are available for the pilgrims to travel to and fro and
this ride is enjoyable.
By Air
Nearest Airport - Coimbatore.
By Train
Nearest Railway Station - Coimbatore.
By Bus
Lots of buses run from Coimbatore bus stand to Marudhamalai.
The Devasthanam has aslo provided buses from the foothill to reach the temple
on top.
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