Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Thirukovil, Marudhamalai
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityMurugan
Location
LocationCoimbatore
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Maruthamalai Marudhachalamurthy Temple is located in Tamil Nadu
Maruthamalai Marudhachalamurthy Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Maruthamalai Marudhachalamurthy Temple is located in India
Maruthamalai Marudhachalamurthy Temple
Location in India
Geographic coordinates11°2′46″N 76°51′7″E / 11.04611°N 76.85194°E / 11.04611; 76.85194
Architecture
TypeTamil Architecture
Completed12th century
Website
[www.marudhamalaimurugan.hrce.tn.gov.in]

The Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Marudhamalai (also Maruthamalai or Marudamalai), or the Marudhamalai Murugan Temple, is a popular 12th-century hill temple situated in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Built by Tamil kings during the Sangam period as indicated in the Purananuru, the temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is considered the Seventh House of Lord Murugan.[1]

Like most Murugan temples, the temple is situated upon a hill, part of the Western Ghats about 12 km west from the centre of the city of Coimbatore. Thai Poosam and other Murugan festivals are celebrated here.[2] On many evenings, the devotees take out a procession of Lord Murugan sitting in a chariot (Rath Yatra) and encircle the temple.

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.[3]

Etymology

The name Marudhamalai refers to the 600 ft (180 m) tall granite hill on which the temple stands and is derived from the native tree called marudham or marudha maram (Terminalia arjuna, also known as the Arjuna tree) which grows there, and malai, meaning hill or mountain in Tamil. This Murugan temple is special since it is on the east face on the hill, unlike other Murugan temples on the hills.[4]

Marudhamalai Adivaram

Marudhamalai, or Marudhamalai Adivaram (meaning "at the foot of Maradhumalai"), is also the name of the locality to the east of the hill and the temple. It forms part of the 17th ward of Coimbatore Corporation.[5]

Site

The presiding deity is addressed by multiple names, such as Marudhamalai Andavar, Marudachalapathi and Dhandayuthanpani. There are springs or pools of sacred water (theertham) around the temple, namely Maruda Theertham and Skanda Theertham, which are believed to possess medicinal properties.[6]

Marudhamalai temple

Pambatti Siddhar

In the southern end of the temple the pragaram staircase to the Pambatti Siddhar cave is located. Pambatti Siddhar (or Paambatti Siddhar) was one of the 18 Siddhars and lived during the 12th century. Pambatti Siddhar performed penance on the Marudhamalai hill. Lord Murugan is said to have appeared as a snake to him, and to have appeared again later along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, who is said to have given Siddhar the Marudha Theertham and blessed him. A connecting tunnel route from Lord Murugan's sanctum sanctorum and Siddhar's cave was formed and Siddhar is believed to have used it to worship the Lord.[7]

References

  1. ^ Subburaj, A (27 September 2015). "Domestic tourism flourishes in Coimbatore district". Times of India. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Thai Poosam celebrated with fervour". The Hindu. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  3. ^ Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959
  4. ^ Murugan.org Marudhamalai Murugan Temple
  5. ^ "Coimbatore corporation delimitation" (PDF).
  6. ^ V., Meena. Temples in South India. Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 20.
  7. ^ "பாம்பாட்டி சித்தர் வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு | Pambatti siddhar history". Aanmeegam. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
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