The name Marudhamalai has a legendary origin and according to that, a siddha overcome by tiredness, take shelter under the shade of a Marudha tree and pray to God to help him to quench his thirst. Suddenly water sprinted out from the roots of the tree and leaped in joy, the saint worship Muruga as the Lord of Marudhajalapathi. With the passage of time, the place came to known as Marudhachalapati and later marudhamalai.
On the south east slope of the temple, there is a shrine called 'Pambati Siddhar Cave'. It is said that a snake charmer who became a Siddha used this cave for worshipping Lord Muruga and attained salvation. A naturally formed rock image of a snake is a prominent feature of this temple. There are two springs on the hill namely 'Marudha Thirtam' and 'Pambatti Sunai' which is believed to cure a number of diseases.
Apart from Thaipoosam and Thirukarthigai falls in the month of January and February, other festivals like Navarathri, Aadipperukku, Tamil New Year, Vaikasi Car festival, Karthigai Deepam, Margali pooja and Aruthira Darisanam are also celebrated here. Temple is opened from 6 am to 1 pm and 2pm to 8.30 pm. Daily four different poojas are conducted here.
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.
The city of Coimbatore is well linked to the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai by road, rail and air. From Coimbatore bus stand many city buses ply to Marudhamalai. The Devasthanam has provided 3 buses from the foothill to reach the temple on top.
Several amenities and facilities have been provided for the benefit of the devotees to worship the deity. A good motorable road has been laid upto the hilltop by the Temple Devasthanam.
Facilities
This is by all means a great boon to the physically handicapped who cannot climb the steps. There are three mini buses run by the Devasthanam, plying to and fro in quick succession at a very nominal charge for the benefit of the devotees. The Ghat Road is also electrified.
At dusk, it is a varietable feast to the eye to stand far away from the hills and gaze at the illumination spiraling like stars strung together in the sky.
On the hilltop there is a wedding hall for celebrating marriage and at the foothill, there is a rest house, called Marudham which has twelve rooms provided with excellent amenities for stay and worship
Hill
Marudhamalai Hills, dedicated to Lord Muruga (Dandâyudhapâni) 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.
The Sanskrit word "achalam" denotes mountain. As the mountain here abounded in marudham trees, it came to be known as Marudhachalam. Marudhamalai is also called Marundhumalai, for it is overgrown with shrubs and bushes of medicinal properties. Hence, Marudhamalai is befittingly given the name Marudhamalai (Mountain of Medicines). This is referred to as Marudhamalvarai, Marudhavarai, Marudha Verpu, Marudha Kundru, Marudhavôngal, Kamarpirangu, Marudhachalam, Velvarai in Perur Puranam.
Contact Address:
Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Thirukoil, Marudhamalai, Coimbatore-641046
Phone: 0422 2422490
No comments:
Post a Comment