Marudamalai Murugan Temple – The Temple Complex

Marudamalai Murugan Temple – The Temple Complex

The temple is situated at the top of a 600 feet tall hill on the western ghats. The temple is situated on the eastern face of the hill compare to the other Murugan temples on the hills. The hill temple can be accessed through flight of 837 steps. The hill path is provided with mandapams at regular intervals for the devotees to take rest during their arduous journey from the foot hill to the temple at hill top. It can also be accessed through motorable road.

The hill temple is facing towards east with seven tiered rajagopuram. Valampuri Vinayaga, peacock faced ornamental lamp Stone Dwaja Sthambam, metal Dwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and peacock mount can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram. The hill temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Varadaraja shrine can be seen in the mukha mandapam. Vinayaga and Veerabhadra can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum on either side.

The sanctum enshrines an image of presiding deity, Marudamalai Andavar / Marudachalapathi / Dhandayuthapani / Marudhachala Moorthy. The image is made of granite and is about five feet tall. His right hand holds the staff (Danda) and the left-hand rests on the hip. His weapon Vel (spear) is placed across the deity. He sports a turban on the head with a tuft behind. The image bears a close resemblance to the deity at Palani. It is said that the idol for Lord Muruga was made by Pampatti Siddhar.

The sanctum is flanked by Patteeswarar shrine on the right side and Maragadambikai shrine on the left side. Thus, the temple forming Somaskanda arrangement. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Durga are the koshta idols located around the Patteeswarar shrine. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Navagrahas shrine is situated opposite to the Maragadambikai shrine in the outer prakaram.

Aadhi Moolasthanam:

The original deity of this temple is enshrined in Aadhi Moolasthanam. Lord Murugan along with his consorts Valli and Devasena in Swaymbhu form (Linga form) in this shrine. It is said that these Swayambhu idols are the deities referred in the Perur Puranam. This shrine is situated on the southern side of the outer prakaram. There is a crack behind the Swayambu Muruga. The Swayambhu Moorthy of Valli is taller than Devasena. The pooja is first performed to this Swayambu Murugan and then to the Murugan in the present sanctum. Milk abishekam is performed to this Muruga during Krithikai star days.

Pampatti Siddhar Cave Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2025/07/marudamalai-murugan-temple-pampatti-siddhar-cave-temple.html

Than Thondri Vinayaga Shrine:

There is a shrine for Than Thondri Vinayaga at the foot hills exactly where the steps to the hill temple begins. The deity is said to be Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Than Thondri Vinayagar is praised in the Marudamalai Than Thondri Pathigams of Perur Puranam. He is depicted with an elephant head only without body. His tusk is pointed towards the hill top shrine.

There is another idol of Vinayaga can be seen in this shrine. The first puja is performed to the Swayambu Vinayaka and then the next Vinayaga. Special pujas are performed to this Vinayaka on Krithikai, Sashti, Visakam and New Moon days similar to Muruga. Hence, this Vinayaka is praised as Thambiku Ukantha Vinayagar (beloved brother Vinayaka). It is customary to worship this Vinayaga before proceeding on the steps.

Pathinettam Padi:

The 18 steps on the way to the hill step immediately after the Thanthondri Vinayaga is famously called as Pathinettam Padi. This Pathinettam Padi is considered equivalent to 18 steps of Sabarimalai. Those who could not undertake the strenuous trek to the Sabari Hills offer worships here and fulfill their vows.

Idumban Shrine:

Idumban Shrine is situated on the way to the hill temple. The image of the deity is carved on a huge round rock. He is depicted carrying a Kavadi. Childless couple worship Idumban and offer toy cradles for child boon. His mount, tiger can be seen facing towards the Idumban shrine.

Kuthirai Kulambukkal:

The hoof marks of horse called Kuthirai Kulambukkal can be found on a rock on the way to the temple. This hoof marks are enshrined in a mandapam. It is believed that the horse on which Lord Muruga rode and chased the robbers might have imprinted the hoof marks on the rock. There is a sculpture depicting Lord Muruga on a horse.

Pancha Vriksham:

There is a cluster of five trees (Arasu, Vembu, Athi, Vanni and Korakkattai)  closely intertwining one another. An idol of Vinayaga called Pancha Vriksha Vinayaga can be seen under the tree. Lord Muruga can be seen by his side graces with his weapon Vel and his mount peacock. It is believed that Siddhas in aroopa form stays here and perform meditation.

Saptha Kannikas Shrine:

Shrine of Saptha Kannikas (seven maidens) can be seen on way to the Pampatti Siddhar Shrine. It is situated on the banks of Marudha Theertham. Marudha Theertham is also called as Kanni Theertham because of the presence of this shrine.

Ucchipillaiyaar Shrine:

This shrine is situated at about 2 Kms to the north of the main shrine. The idol has been installed recently.

Theerthams:

Theerthams associated with this temple are Marudha Theertham (Kanni Theertham), Pampatti Theertham and Skanda Theertham. It is said that the Marudha Theertham springs from the bottom of a Marudha tree and the waters from this theertham is used for the abishek of Lord Muruga.

Sthala Vriksham:

Sthala Vriksham is Marudham Tree. It is situated in front of the Pampatti Siddhar shrine.

Marudamalai Murugan Temple - Pampatti Siddhar Cave Temple

Marudamalai Murugan Temple - Pampatti Siddhar Cave Temple

This cave temple can be reached through the steps found in the southern end of the prakaram. The sanctum enshrines an image of Pampatti Siddhar. He holds Magudi, a musical instrument to entice the snakes in his right hand and a staff in his left hand. Shiva Linga and Naga idols can be seen next to the idol of Pampatti Siddhar. Pujas are performed to Pampatti Siddhar after the pujas done to Lord Muruga. A bowl of milk is left in this shrine daily.

It is found consumed partially the next day. It is believed that Pampatti Siddhar in aroopa form uses this milk for pujas to Lord Muruga. It is said that there is an underground passage from the cave to the main shrine through which the Pampatti Siddhar in aroopa form worships Lord Murugan daily. There is a rock in the shape of snake can be seen in the shrine.

It is said that the Lord Murugan granted darshan to Pampatti Siddhar in the form of a snake. Hence, devotees consider this rock formation as Lord Muruga himself. There are three other forms behind this shrine appearing as Peetas (seats). These Peetas are worshipped as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Vinayaga. Generally, Lord Muruga occupies the place between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Here, Vinayaka occupies the place between his parents.

Marudamalai Murugan Temple – Legends

Marudamalai Murugan Temple – Legends

Pampatti Siddhar:

Pampatti Siddhar was one of the 18 Siddhars, a lineage of monks or sages who lived at various time periods in India, mainly southern India. He lived during the 12^th century CE. He was greatly revered in the Kongu region. Some of his poems, roughly around 600 lines of text are available today. His poems are written in Tamil and he is famous for finishing his poems with the term Addu Pambe (means dance, o snake). Even his poems are addressed to snakes.

Some of his poems also addresses his spiritual teacher or guru. Pampatti Siddhar comes from the line of saints who are believed to have possessed siddhis or supernatural powers through rigorous meditation and other spiritual exercises. He is also believed to have caught snakes and sold them for living before he ventured into his spiritual quest. 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.

He came to this place to find a snake having a gem (Nagaratna Pambu). He met Sattai Muni Siddhar during his wandering in Marudha Malai. He told him that the purpose of life was to find the snake in the human body (Kundalini), control it by yoga and added that what he was doing was sheer waste. Further, he initiated him into the art of entering into trances (the Jeeva Samadhi Nilai).

Pampatti Siddhar realized his ignorance and performed intense penance on Lord Muruga near Marudha Tree (Terminalia arjuna) in Marudamalai. Lord Murugan is said to have appeared as a snake to him. Later, Lord Murugan appeared along with his consorts Valli and Devasena before him. Murugan saw the excessive tiredness and thirst of Pampatti Siddhar due to the intense penance. Lord Murugan made the water gush out from the roots of Marudham tree.

The theertham formed by this water came to be called as Siddha Marudha Theertham. Overjoyed by the kindness of Lord Murugan, Pampatti Siddhar praised Lord Murugan as Marudajalapathi (Lord of Marudham and water) and later got corrupted to Marudachalapathi. It is said that there is underground passage connecting the cave shrine of Pampatti Siddhar with the main shrine. Pampatti Siddhar used to visit the main shrine through this tunnel.

Pampatti Siddhar had also attained the eight supernatural powers called Ashtamasiddhi during his stay here. Also, he lived in places like Mahalinga Malai in Vathiraayiruppu, Kollimalai and Bhavani. He is believed to have attained Samadhi by practicing his rigorous techniques in Sankarankovil and Vaasi Techniques in Thirukadavur, Nagapattinam District. His duration of life is believed to be 123 Years.

Kuthirai Kulambukkal:

As per legend, once, some robbers entered the temple and robbed the treasures of the temple in a box. Lord Murugan intercepted the robbers by riding in a horse and recovered the stolen treasures from them. Further, Lord Murugan cursed the thieves to became stones for their sinful act of plundering the treasures belonging to the temple. The petrified form of thieves (three stones in diverse colours) can be noticed towards the northern side in the distant hills from the foot hill.

There is a flat stone below these stone forms. It is said that it is the jewel box stolen by the thieves. It is believed that the horse on which Lord Muruga rode and chased the robbers might have imprinted the hoof marks on the rock. The hoof marks of the horse called Kuthirai Kulambukkal can be seen on the way to the temple. There is a sculpture depicting Lord Muruga on a horse.

Devas stay at Marudamalai:

As per Perur Puranam, the demon Surapadma along with his mighty brothers Singamukha and Taraka defeated the devas. Distraught devas approached Lord Shiva for protection. He comforted devas that Lord Murugan would come to their rescue and annihilate Surapadma at appropriate time. Further, he advised the devas to stay at Marudamalai hills till the advent of Lord Murugan.

Hills in Somaskanda form:

As per Perur Puranam, Velliangiri Hill, Nili Hill and Marudamalai are considered as the very manifestations of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Murugan. Thus, the three hills combined together represents the symbol of Somaskanda.

King Kusathvajan blessed with male child after worshipping Murugan here:

As per legend, a king named Kusathvajan worshipped Marudamalai Murugan for child boon and blessed with a male child.

Kamadenu grazed the pastures of Marudamalai:

As per legend, Kamadhenu, the divine cow is said to have grazed in the pastures of the hills of Marudamalai.

Marudamalai:

As the hill was abounded with Marudham Tree (Terminalia arjuna), the hill came to be called as Marudamalai / Marudhachalam.

Marudhachala Moorthy:

As Lord Murugan is enshrined in this hill, he came to be called as Marudachalapathi / Marudhachala Moorthy.