Amanalingeswarar Temple, Thirumoorthy Hills,
Udumalaipettai, Tirupur
Amanalingeswarar
Temple (Thirumoorthy Temple) is situated at the foot of the Thirumoorthy
hills adjoining the Thirumoorthy dam near Udumalaipet in Tirupur District
of Tamilnadu. It is an old temple with beautiful setting and some rare sculptures
with a spacious front hall. It is also believed that Jain priests or Samanar
lived in the hills when Jainism flourished in Tamil Nadu. The huge rock which
is worshiped as Thirumoorthy has a sculpture of a Jain priest.
A
popular belief is that this rock rolled down from the hills few centuries ago
during a flood. This is supported by the fact that sculpture is carved upside
down on rock top. Also, at 900 meter above the mountain, Pancha lingas are
present. This is a cave temple on a small hill. All the Lords grace as
Swayambumurthis. Thirumoorthy Temple at Udumalaipettai is located at
10°27'26.2"N 77°09'39.9"E or 10.457288, 77.161092.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
The
picturesque splendour of the Anamalai hill range of Western Ghats, embraces the
tumbling water to the Thirumoorthy reservoir from the Panchalingam Falls. A
recurrent stream flows by the side of the Sri Amanalingeswarar temple. The
lead deity is called Amanalingeswarar. It is an old temple with beautiful
setting and some rare sculptures with a spacious front hall. In the
temple, Lord Shiva graces in the names of the Mummoorthy Andavar, Tirumuthi
Andavar and Amanalingeswarar. This is a cave temple on a small hill. All the
Lords grace as Swayambumurthis.
Lord
Shiva graces here as a Guru, hence Lord Dakshinamurthi worship is considered
very important in the temple. Sage Athri and His wife Anusuya were staunch
devotees worshipping the Pancha Lingas in this place. It is believed
that they are still here worshipping the Lord daily. The Three Lords are
said to have come to the Eight Pillared Mandapam and stayed here. As
children, they were playing here when a boulder from Kanjamalai hill rolled
against him. Saptha Kannikas placed seven pieces of turmeric to stop
the rolling stone and saved the Murthy Children from being crushed.
Mummuthis
merged in the stone. The Saptha Kannikas merged in the turmeric
pieces. There is a separate shrine for Saptha Kannikas (seven
virgins). Sthala Vriksham is Arasa tree (Peepal tree). Theertham is Thoni
River. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Sundara
Ganapathi. Lord Muruga is Balasubramanian. The soil has
the reputation of having sage Athri Maharshi and his devoted wife Mother
Anusuya as its residents in the past.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m continuously.
Festivals
Four
pujas are performed on Mahasivarathri day in February-March. The devotee crowd
is usually huge on Aadi new moon day (Aadi Amavasya in July August), Thai new
moon day - Thai Amavasya - in January - February, Mahalaya Amavasya - new moon
day in Purattasi in September - October. Special pujas on Sundays at 12.30 p.m.
and special pujas in Aavani Sundays in August-September and annual abishek days
in August are the festive days in the temple.
Prayers
It is
believed that those waiting for a child should bathe in the holy spring,
worship the Saptha Kannikas for the purpose. Those having rashes or scars
in the face (called Maru in Tamil) are advised to bathe in Thoni River and put
salt and pepper in the river. Women seeking child boon are advised to sit on a
stone called Varadikal with a coconut and fruits and should pray with a
determined mind.
During
the prayer, if they unknowingly touch the coconut and the fruits, they are sure
to achieve the boon. Also unmarried youth seeking higher education, jobs, and
peace of mind pray here with fruits and coconut to the Lords. The temple is
famous for the sandal paste worship. It is believed that if the devotees throw
the sandal balls on the Lord, and if that ball sticks on the forehead of the
Lord, their prayers would be fulfilled.
Contact
Sri
Amanalingeswarar Temple,
Dhali,
Tirumurthimalai,
Udumalpet,
Coimbatore district
Phone: +91-4252 - 265
440
Connectivity
It is
situated 50 Kms from Pollachi and 23 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from
Palani to Coimbatore. Panchalingas are at a height of 900 meters from the foot
hill. Bus facilities are conveniently available from Udumalpet and Dharapuram via
Dhali. Nearest Railway Station is located at Udumalpet and Nearest Airport
is located at Coimbatore.