Saturday, October 17, 2015

Marudamalai Murugan Temple, Coimbatore

Marudamalai Murugan Temple, Coimbatore
Subramaniaswamy Temple, Marudamalai is a popular hill temple dedicated to Hindu god Murugan, situated near Coimbatore, Tamil NaduIndia. Like most Murugan temples, the temple is situated upon a hillock, part of the Western Ghats about 12 km west from the city of Coimbatore. Near the foothill, there is a temple for Pillaiyaar known as the "Thaan thondri Vinayakar". There is a cave referred to as "Paambaatti Sitthar Kugai" dedicated to a Sitthar who lived here.



Marudamalai Hills Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple is situated at a height of about 500 feet in a plateau on the Western Ghats, 12 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 Marudamalai. 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 up to the hilltop by the Temple Devasthanam.
History
Lord Muruga is glorified as the God of mountain and mountainous regions in Thiru Murugatrupadai, a noted work of the Tamil Literature of the Sangam Age. The word Muruga is a comprehensive term, connoting several meanings such as sweetness, youthfulness, beauty, divinity and honey and therefore it is but natural for the Lord to have His abode amidst scenic beauty among hills and mountains. Situated at a height of about 500 feet in a plateau on the western Ghats, 12 kilometers north west of Coimbatore, amidst lush vegetation and salubrious climate, Marudamalai Hills, dedicated to Lord Muruga (Maruthachalamoorthy) is classified under Kundruthorādal, one of the six main abodes of the God, the others being Thiruvavinkudi (Palani), Thiruparagundram, (Near Madurai), Thirucheeralavai (Thiruchendur), Thiruverangam (Swamimalai) and Pazhamudirsolai (Azhagarkoil near Madurai), Tiruthani. 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.



Origin
The hoary past of the temple can be traced in such ancient works as Sage Kachyapar'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 Thirumuruganathaswami Temple, Thirumurganpoondi places the origin of the temple in the 12th century A.D. According to Perur Puranam, Surapadma, the scourge of the gods aided by his mighty brothers, Singamukha and Taraka arrayed against them and struck terror in their already agitated minds by his sudden and surprising charges and depredations.



Unable to bear the agony and anguish, the gods approached Lord Siva and sought His succor. Lord Siva comforted the Gods that Lord Muruga would come to their rescue, root out and destroy Surapadma and his retinue en masse. The gods should hasten to the Marudamalai Hills and await the advent of Lord Muruga, their Saviour! Perur Puranam also alludes to a king called Kusathvajan, who, it is said, was blessed with a male issue, only after worshipping Marudamalai Muruga. The Divine Cow Kamadhenu is reported to have grazed in the pastures of the hills of Marudamalai. Perurpuranam lists the three neighbouring hills, Vellingiri, Nili and Marudamalai as the very manifestations of Lord Siva, Parvathi and Subramanya respectively and the three hills taken together as the very symbol of Somaskanda.
A Siddha, overcome by excessive tiredness and thirst, sought shelter under the shade of a marudham tree and prayed for the mercy of Lord Muruga for a shower of water, which sprang at once, as though by a miracle from the tree.


As water gushed out from the roots of the marudham tree, the Siddha jumped in joy, glorifying Muruga as the Lord of Marudham and jalam (water). With the passage of time, Marudhajalapati became Marudhachalapati.
Temple
Idumban Temple:
The shrine of Idumban is located almost in the middle of the path of steps. The image of the deity is carved on a huge round rock in the posture of carrying a Kaavadi. Married couples having no issues worship the deity and offer toy cradles with the firm faith of being blessed with progeny by the Grace of god.
Kuthirai Kulampadigal:
Continuing our ascent, we find a beautiful mandapam, enshrining what is called 'Kudirai Kulambu' (hoof marks of the horse). It is believed that the horse of Lord Muruga caused the Marks, as He marched against the Demon Surapadma.
Standing at the foot hill, as we gaze towards the north, in the distant hills, we discern three stones in diverse colours, which are the petrified form of three thieves cursed by Lord Muruga for their sinful act of plundering the treasures belonging to the temple. Just below the stone forms, there is a flat stone which, it is said, is but the jewel box stolen by the thieves. It is said Lord Muruga came in the guise of cavalier, chased and punished them.
The horse on which Lord Muruga rode and chased the robbers referred to earlier might have imprinted by them.
Athi Mulasthanam:
The presiding deity, it is said, is a later installation, the original deity being that of Lord Subramanya with His two consorts, Valli and Teyvannai, enshrined nearby to the south in the outer Prakara. They are the very deities referred to in the Perur Puranam. It is here the gods persecuted by Surapadma approached Lord Subramanya and implored him to destroy the demon. The deities are all of spontaneous origin (Swayambu).
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, lined with a slender cloth brings to our mind the 'Andi Kolam', the aspect of a mendicant assumed by the Lord in Palani. What distinguishes Marudamalai Andavar from Palani Andavar 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!
The shrine is not a big one. The sanctum sanctorum and the Ardha Mandapam are comparatively small. The front mandapam is wide enough to accommodate a fairly large number of devotees. Shivalingam flanks the presiding deity on the left and Ambigai on the right in the outer Prakara.
Sage Kachiyappar says even tens of thousands of Maras (love gods) cannot match Lord Muruga of Marudamalai in His magnificence! The word Marudhachalapati means Master of the Hills that abound in Marudham trees.
The Lord assumed the appellation after the association of the words, Marudham, Achalam and Pati, representing the Marudham tree, the hills and the Master respectively.
Uchipillayar Kovil:
Two kilometers north of the main shrine is situated 'Uchipillayar Kovil' gracing the devotees. The idol has been installed recently. On every 'Chathurthi' the deity is bedewed, anointed and adorned and devotees throng the temple in great numbers to worship on that day.
Right from foot hills to the temple on top we find elegantly built Mandapams erected for devotees to take rest. These are a boon to the sevarthees who frequent the temple.
Pampatti Sidhar Kugai:
Siddhas are mystic philosophers who exercise their mental faculties to the utmost and attain godhead by means of meditation and reflection. They are endowed with incredible powers of the mind by which they perform great miracles and astound the common world. Siddhas can set at rest all their senses and awaken their spirit alone. Thus they are bodily asleep and spiritually awake. In this blessed mood they enter into a personal communion with god.
As the Siddha used to animate dead snakes and dance with him, he was popularly known as Pambatti Siddhar. Once he transmigrated into the dead body of a king and performed great miracles. He composed songs of enlightenment. 'Siddharudam' is a work, attributed to his prophetic genius. Lord Muruga took joy in teasing and tantalizing the Siddha with His spiritual pranks. Once as an enormous boulder came down, rolling gaining momentum, the Siddha tried to halt it, arrested its movement and averted a great havoc.
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.
Of the eighteen noted Siddhas with such attributes, was one Pambatti Siddhar greatly revered in the Kongu region. He is credited with having lived in the company of snakes and made them dance to his tunes. He himself was delighted to dance with them. Once, in the course of his wanderings, he chanced to meet one, Sattai Muni Siddhar, a contemporary and counterpart who initiated him into the art of entering into trances - the Jeeva Samadhi Nilai.
A snake comes to the cave everyday and feeds itself on the fruit and milk kept for it. There is an underground passage from the cave to the primal shrine through which the Pambati Siddhar wended his way everyday to worship Lord Subramanya in the Company of His consorts.
Pancha Virucham:
There is a cluster of trees closely intertwining 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.
Thanthondri Vinayagar Temple:
As we approach the foothills, at a little distance from it, the deity Ganesha greet us. Offering our prayers to Śrī Vigneshwara, the remover of obstacles, we begin our ascent to the hills. It is significant to note that the deity is not a chiseled one but it is of a spontaneous origin (Swayambu). The 'Thanthonri Vināyagar' (self-born) is extolled in the 'Marudamalai Thanthonri Pathigams' of Perur Puranam. Tamil scholars are keenly devoted to the Lord.
After worshipping Thanthonri Vināyagar, we ascend what is known as 'Pathinettam Padi', which has exactly a flight of eighteen steps, reminding us of Lord Ayyappa. Such if those as could not undertake the strenuous trek to the Sabari Hills offer worships here and fulfill their vows.
The flight of steps from the foothill to the top causes hardly any strain; rather the climb is light and exhilarating as one goes up the neatly carved steps, gazing round the luxuriant growth of vegetation and breathing the refreshing cool breeze wafted along the herbs of the hills.
Other Shrines:
To the right of the main shrine inside the prakara we find Sri. Patteeswarar shrine (the main deity of Perur). To the left is located Sri. Maragathamigai shrine (the main goddess of Perur). The main shrine of Lord Muruga is a unique Somaskanda Moorthy as the Lord is enshrined between.
Just in front of Maragathamigai, we have the Navagraham shrine. Another unique feature of the temple is the Perumal shrine towards the left of Alangara Mandapam. The Sapta Kanimar shrine is located at the banks of Marutha Theertham. This is the reason why it is called Kanni Theertham.
Water Source:
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)
Pooja Details & Fees
Temple Worship Timings
S.No
Details
1
Morning
5:30 A.M to 01:00 P.M
2
Evening
2:00 P.M to 08:30 P.M
Temple Pooja Timings
S.No
Details
1
Viswaroopa Dharsanam (ushakkalam)
6.00 A.M
2
Kalasandhi Pooja
9.00 A.M
3
Uchikalam Pooja
12.00 P.M
4
Thirukkappiduthal in day time
1.00 P.M to 2.00 P.M
5
Sayaraitchai Pooja
5.00 P.M
6
Ardha Jama Pooja (Rakkalam)
8.30 P.M
Poojas & Archana Fees
Daily Poojas and archanas are performed for the presiding deity. There are schemes enabling the devotees to perform Abishegam and Archana for the deity every day. An endowment investment of Rs. 8000/- under 'Nitya Pooja Kattalai will facilitate a devotee to perform Abishegam and Archana in his or her name on a day specified.
An offering of Rs.250/- and Rs.2,000/- for 15 years 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.
S.No
Pooja
Price
1
Archanai Ticket
5.00
2
Special Entrance Ticket
10.00
3
Special Entrance Ticket during Festival
20.00 & 50.00
4
Kalasandhi Pooja
25.00
5
Kalasandhi Pooja during Festival Day
50.00
6
Mudikanikai
10.00
7
Ear Piercing
10.00
8
Marriage
250.00
9
Uthiravu
25.00
10
Abishegam without Materials
50.00
11
Abishegam with Materials
1200.00
12
Milk Abishegam
25.00
13
Sandhanakaapu
50.00
14
Kaavadi
10.00
15
Sagasaranamam
100.00
16
Two Wheeler Pooja
10.00
17
Car Pooja
20.00
18
Maeravanai
300.00
19
Thanga Kavasam
250.00
20
Golden Car
1500.00
21
Annadhanam Per Day (150 Persons)
3000.00
Festivals
In Murugan Temples all over the world Poojas, worships and prayers are conducted daily following a routine, in the morning, noon, evening and night, which devotees attend with offerings to the Lord. Apart from the daily Poojas, special auspicious festivals are also conducted in the temples annually, almost every month, starting from the Tamil calendar month of Chitrai, which is from middle of April to the middle of the following month May, consequently every month till end of each Tamil year. This monthly festivals is conducted on the day in which the particular star occurs in that month. These special festivals begin early in the morning, with special Abishegams followed by Poojas and offerings throughout the day, and culminate with a procession all over the town with the Lord in a chariot illuminated with colorful lights, accompanied by
(1)  Various types of musical instruments played by experts,
(2)  Priests chanting Vedas,
(3)  Othuvars (reciters) reciting devotional songs in Tamil and
(4)  Multitude of devotees, the chariot returning to the Temple in the midnight or at dusk.
Sacred ash and Theertham (scared fragrant water) and flowers are offered by the priests with the Lord's blessings to the devotees all through this occasion. Such special festivals are conducted as hereunder:
Chithra Pournami:
Between April 14th to May 13th
This is a Full moon day festival in the first Tamil month Chittirai. Devotees observe fasting, worship God Murugan and breaks fast the next morning. This light [brilliance of the Poorna Chandra (full moon)] helps dispelling darkness to the souls. So Murugan worship and festival start on this day in the first Tamil month of the Tamil.
Vaikasi Visakham:
May 14th to June 14th
Vaikasi is the second Tamil month in the year (May 14th to June 14th). Vaikasi is the 16th star. Lord Murugan is also called Visagan.
Aadi Kiruthikai:
16th July to 16th August
Aadi is the fourth month in the Tamil year (16th July to 16th August). Krithigai is the third star. After pooja and prayer, devotees are provided lunch in the noon.
Ippasi Sashti:
17th October to 15th November
Ippasi is the seventh month in the Tamil year. Sashti is the sixth day after the new moon day (Amavasai Day). It is on this Sashti day the six faced Lord Subramaniya annihilated Soorapadman the most atrocious Asuran, who imprisoned the Devas, and the Devas were liberated by the Lord. So this festival is celebrated in all Murugan Temples in the world and especially in a very grand manner at Thiruchendur Temple beside the seaside in Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu. Multitude of devotees attend this festival taking place there for seven days, culminating with the sangaram (destruction of all evils) and bestowing of the Lord's grace and blessing to liberated souls.
Thiru karthikai:
16th November to 15th December
Karthigai is the eighth month in the Tamil year (16th November to 15th December). Thiru karthigai is the third star in the Tamil month. This festival is celebrated in all Murugan Temples all over the world and especially in a very grand manner at Thiru Annamalai Hill Temple in Tamil Nadu. In that evening special Deepa (fire which is called the "sacred thituchudar" in which from Lord Siva appeared in the sky) is placed on the hill top, Braman (God of creation) and Vishnu (Thirumal God of protection) vainly tried to trace the head and foot of that Fire and failed in their efforts. Multitude of devotees including the heads of the scared Mutts of Tamil Nadu which spread spiritualism among people in India and abroad witness this grand festival at Thiruvannamalai and attain the Grace and blessings of Lord Siva. At that night series of small lamps are lit in all Murugan Temples, and Bon Fire (called Sockappan) is lit in the compound of each temple celebrating the victory of the Lord.
Thai Pusam:
14th January to 13th February
Thai is the tenth month in the Tamil year. (14th January to 13th February). Pusam is the eighth star in the Tamil month. This festival is celebrated in all Murugan temples all over the world and especially in a very grand manner at Palani Hill Temple in Tamil Nadu, Penang Hill and Waterfall Temple at Penang, Batu Caves Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore Temple. In this festival also Lord Subramaniya comes in procession in silver chariot. Multitude of devotees attend this festival observing fasting and penance and carrying out special prayers, offering Abishega materials, garlands, fruits etc to Lord Subramaniya and carrying Kavadies in their shoulders, to the Lord up the hill to obtain the Lord's Grace and blessings and become cured of their disabilities, ill health, diseases, troubles etc.
Services
Karunai Illam:
As the adage says, 'Divinity manifests itself in the smiles of the poor', the temple/Devasthanam is running an orphanage, known as 'Karunai Illam’, which provides for 100 destitutes. There are 8 children at present benefitted by it. The Devasthanam is ready to accommodate up to the maximum strength. The daily expenses of the inmates towards food, clothing and school fees are all borne by the Devasthanam. The Children are educated up to the higher secondary school level.
School:
There is a Higher Secondary School run by the temple at Vadavalli. The school started in a thatched shed in the year 1971 at Vadavalli has grown from its humble beginnings and bloomed into a full-fledged Higher Secondary school housed in a terrace building. A new building with additional classrooms and laboratories has been provided. The institution keeps aloft the torch of knowledge and strives its best to dispel the darkness of ignorance.
Siddha Dispensary:
There is a Siddha Dispensary built and run by the temple at Vadavalli for the benefit of general public. A qualified Siddha Doctor comes atop on festival days to treat the sick devotees, if any.
Transport Facilities:
For the benefit of devotees the Temple runs three Mini Buses from foot hills to Hill Top. Devotees can walk through the Steps where Electrical Lamps are fixed on the two sides for the benefit of Devotees.
Siruvani Water:
Temple has invested Rs. 6 Lakhs for the continuous supply of Siruvani water for devotees. Siruvani water is brought from the foot hills of Marudamalai to the hill top with the help of Motors and Pumps that are donated by many donors from in and around Coimbatore. Even the water purification plant has been implemented on hill top.
Annadhanam Thittam:
Annadhanam Scheme was started on 23.03.2002. Annadhanam will be served hot for all devotees at 12.15pm daily in this temple. The Donor may participate in this scheme by investing Rs.30,000/- and from the interest of this investment every year Annadhanam is given to 150 persons on any one day the donor decides, or the donor may participate in this scheme by giving Rs.3,000/- for a particular day for Annadhanam to 150 persons.
Golden Chariot:
Golden Chariot is at the hill top with a height of 16.5 feet that has been made with Gold at a cost of Rs. 1.08 Crores in the year 2003. Devotees can pay a sum of Rs. 1,500 for this golden chariot for which 3 persons are allowed.
Contact
Deputy Commissioner / Executive Officer
Arulmigu Subramanya Swami Thirukoil,
Marudamalai,
Coimbatore - 641 046