Marudamalai
Encyclopedia
Marudamalai is a popular temple of the Hindu
god Murugan
, situated top a hill of the same name in Coimbatore
, Tamil Nadu
, India
. Of all the temples of Murugan it is next only in importance to the Arupadaiveedu
temples ("The six Fort-Houses of Muruga"), for the god's devotees. Some people consider Marudhamalai to be the unofficial seventh Padaiveedu
of Muruga, along with a few other contenders for the spot, including Kunrakudy
, Sikkal
and Vayalur
.
Like most Murugan temples, Marudhamalai Murugan temple
is situated upon a hill that is a part of the Western Ghats
and is about 15 km west from the city of Coimbatore
.
This is an ancient temple. References to this temple are found in inscriptions in the Thirumuruganpoondi temple. Thirumuruganpoondi temple is a "Tevarapaadalpetrastalam" and is at least 1200 years old. So we can surmise that the Marudhamalai temple is older than 1200 years.
There is a shrine
called the "Paambaatti Sitthar Kugai" (Paambaatti Sitthar cave
) that is in proximity to the Murugan temple. Legend
has it that a Sitthar referred to as the Paambaatti Sitthar lived here in Marudhamalai. Paambaatti Sitthar is one of the most notable 18 Sitthars. Pambaatti Sitthar as his name indicates that he was associated with snake charming
. As is the custom
of the Sitthars of Tamil Nadu, he too, in the interest of mankind, has written extensively on the medicinal values and applications of plants.
Near the foothills, there is a temple for Lord Pillayar who is known as the "Thaanthondri Vinaayakar" (which means that the Pillayar idol
appeared on its own without human intervention.)
This temple is under the control of Religious endowments department of Government of Tamil Nadu
This temple is located on a hilltop called Marudha Malai (roughly translating to "hill of vegetation
"), true to its name, the legend has it that this hill has many herb
s of medicinal value. The hill is also home to a particular sect of tribal
tamil people
. The temple in recent years has been renovated and the local business community is supporting this activity. The temple also plans to have a rope car operate from the foothills. In recent years number of Nature cure clinics have come up nearby this hillside.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
god Murugan
Murugan
Murugan also called Kartikeya, Skanda and Subrahmanya, is a popular Hindu deity especially among Tamil Hindus, worshipped primarily in areas with Tamil influences, especially South India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius and Reunion Island. His six most important shrines in India are the...
, situated top a hill of the same name in Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Of all the temples of Murugan it is next only in importance to the Arupadaiveedu
Arupadaiveedu
The Arupadaiveedu are the most important shrines for the devotees of Muruga in Tamilnadu, India.They are:*Palani Murugan Temple *Swamimalai *Thiruthani...
temples ("The six Fort-Houses of Muruga"), for the god's devotees. Some people consider Marudhamalai to be the unofficial seventh Padaiveedu
Padaiveedu
Padaiveedu is a panchayat town in Namakkal district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Padaiveedu had a population of 10,031. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Padaiveedu has an average literacy rate of 55%, lower than the national average of 59.5%:...
of Muruga, along with a few other contenders for the spot, including Kunrakudy
Kunrakudy
Kunrakudy is a Murugan temple, atop a small hill near Madurai, India.In Kundrakudi the Lord Murugan Temple is set up in a very small hill. Here Lord Muruga appears with his wives Lord Valli and Deivanai. The Murugan statue is set up with six faces and hence here Lord Murugan is called as "Lord...
, Sikkal
Sikkal
This article is about the village of Sikkal. For the article about the temple go to Sikkal Singaravelan Temple.Sikkal is a small township near Nagapattinam in Tamilnadu, India. It is 6 km west of Nagapattinam, 18 km east of Thiruvarur and 6 km east of Kilvelur...
and Vayalur
Vayalur
The Vayalur Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga, located near the city of Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, India.-Transport:...
.
Like most Murugan temples, Marudhamalai Murugan temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
is situated upon a hill that is a part of the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
and is about 15 km west from the city of Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
.
This is an ancient temple. References to this temple are found in inscriptions in the Thirumuruganpoondi temple. Thirumuruganpoondi temple is a "Tevarapaadalpetrastalam" and is at least 1200 years old. So we can surmise that the Marudhamalai temple is older than 1200 years.
There is a shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
called the "Paambaatti Sitthar Kugai" (Paambaatti Sitthar cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
) that is in proximity to the Murugan temple. Legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
has it that a Sitthar referred to as the Paambaatti Sitthar lived here in Marudhamalai. Paambaatti Sitthar is one of the most notable 18 Sitthars. Pambaatti Sitthar as his name indicates that he was associated with snake charming
Snake charming
Snake charming is the practice of pretending to hypnotise a snake by playing an instrument. A typical performance may also include handling the snakes or performing other seemingly dangerous acts, as well as other street performance staples, like juggling and sleight of hand...
. As is the custom
Norm (sociology)
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a society or group. This sociological and social psychological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit...
of the Sitthars of Tamil Nadu, he too, in the interest of mankind, has written extensively on the medicinal values and applications of plants.
Near the foothills, there is a temple for Lord Pillayar who is known as the "Thaanthondri Vinaayakar" (which means that the Pillayar idol
Cult image
In the practice of religion, a cult image is a human-made object that is venerated for the deity, spirit or daemon that it embodies or represents...
appeared on its own without human intervention.)
This temple is under the control of Religious endowments department of Government of Tamil Nadu
This temple is located on a hilltop called Marudha Malai (roughly translating to "hill of vegetation
Vegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader...
"), true to its name, the legend has it that this hill has many herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
s of medicinal value. The hill is also home to a particular sect of tribal
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
tamil people
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
. The temple in recent years has been renovated and the local business community is supporting this activity. The temple also plans to have a rope car operate from the foothills. In recent years number of Nature cure clinics have come up nearby this hillside.