Maruthamalai temple

MARUTHAMALAI TEMBLE

INTRODUCTION:-

 The concept of the temple a place of worship is common to the whole of India. It is derived from the Vedas and the Puranas and found expression in many ways before the first rock temple was excavated and the first structural temple built after.

The Hindu temple has been the most prominent public institution in south India. It was the center of most of the people’s activities not only religious but also educational, social and economic. Thousands of inscriptions engraved on its walls help in writing the history and also the land and the people. Manuscript records often fail but there are temple inscriptions and female tradition to rely upon.

Tamilnadu has over twenty centuries of continuous cultural history . The greatest attraction of Tamilnadu lies in its magnificent temples. The temple was also much more than place of worship. It was a place for social gathering, for education, for celebration of the functions and ceremonies such as marriages.

There are more than 30,000 temples in the state, which has given Tamilnadu, the title Land of temples. The temples play a vital role in social and religious conditions of the people. Temples are the marked features of Tamilnadu landscape not only in important Cities and Towns, but also in small abjure villages. Any small hillock on the highway, even if there is no habitation around it has an ancient temple built on its top.

Nearly everyone who visits Tamilnadu returns with the impression that it is land of temples. The oldest temples in Tamilnadu trace their history much earlier than the Christian ear. The tamilians have always been a god fearing lot and are ardent worshippers of Subramanian (also known as muruga).

There are many temples in Coimbatore like Kamatchi amman temple, mariamman temple, Pateeswarar Temple …., Marudhamalai Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple is one of the most popular abodes of Lord Muruga and in importance it is next only to the Arupadiveedu (“the six fort – House of Muruga), Some people consider Marudhamalai to be the un official seventh padaiveedu of Muruga, along with a

This is an ancient temple. References to temple are found in inscription in the Thirumuruganpoondi temple. Thirumuruganpoondi temple is a “tevarapaadal petrastalam “and is atleast thousand years old. So, it is assumed that the Marudhamalai temple is older than five hundred years. Hence the present study is under taken.

OBJECTIVES:-

1. It aims to know the location and origin of the temple.

2. To focus the structure of the temple.

3. To know about the poojas and festivals of the temple.

4. To know about the special features of the temple.

METHODOLOGY:-

The study is presented with the data acquired through annual reports, stalavaralaru, interviews and personal visit. It is dependent on the secondary sources also. It is a descriptive study.

SOURCES:-

The study is based on primary and secondary sources. The origin of the Marudhamalai Temple has legendary and a mythical account book published by the Devasthanam is also used as sources. Internet material is also used as sources. Internet material is also used for writing the history of Marudhamalai Murugan temple and personal visit made by this scholar to the temple.

CHAPTERISATION:-

This study is divided in to six chapters

• The first chapter is introduction in which the nature, objective, methodology and sources are provided.
• The location and origin of the temple is described in chapter two.
• The next chapter discusses the structure of the temple.
• The poojas and festivals are explained in the fourth chapter.
• The services of the temple to the public are discussed in fifth chapter,
• The last chapter is conclusion.

                                           

LOCATION AND ORIGIN OF THE TEMPL

The Location and Origin of the Marudhamalai arulmigu subramaniya Swamy temple are discussed in this chapter. Like most Murugan temples, Marudhamalai Murugan temple is situated upon a scenic hill that is a part of the beautiful lush green western gards and is about 15km from the vibrant city of Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India.

Marudhamalai hills Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple is situated at a height of about 500 feet in a plateau on the Western Ghats, fifteen kilometers northwest of Coimbatore, amidst lush vegetation and salubrious climate. The city of Coimbatore is well linked to the capital of Tamilnadu, Chennai dye road, rail and air. From Coimbatore bus stand many city buses ply to Marudhamalai.  The devasthanam has provided 3 buses from the foot hill 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 motor able road has been laid up to the hill top by the temple devasthanam.

HILL:-

Marudhamalai Hills, dedicated to Lord Muruga 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 Marudhamalai, for it is overgrown with shrubs and bushes of medicinal properties. Hence, Marudhamalai is befittingly given the name Marudhamalai. This is referred to as Marudhamalvarai, Marudhavarai, Marudhaverpu, Marudha kundru, marudhavongal, kamarpirangu, Marudhachalam, velvarai in perur puranam.

The lord assumed the appellation after the association of the words, Marudham, Achalam and pati, representing the Marudhamtree, the hills and the master respectively.

MYTHOLOGY:-                       

Perur Puranam lists the three neighboring hills, Vellingiri, Nili and Marudhamalai as the very manifestations of Lord Siva, Parvati and Subramanya respectively and the three hills taken together as the very symbol of somaskands. 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.

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 Tirumuruganathaswami Temple, Tirumurugan poondi places the origin of the temple in the 12^th century A.D.  Kongu nadu was divided into 24 regions in the early days. It is learnt that one such arainadu in the west has its boundary in the Marudhamalai Hills. Perur puranam and the inscriptions at Tirumurugan speak of Marudhamalai as the very manifestation of Lord Muruga himself and the Marudham trees as the symbolic representation of his spear. Marudhamalai is celebrated by saint Arunagirinathar in his celestial songs.

The names like Marudhachalam, Marudham, have been in existence even in the 12^th century. Evidence of their information is found on the inscriptions in the temples of Avinashi and Tiru Murugan poondi.

DIFFERENT NAMES OF MARUDHAMALAI:-

The kovai hills densely grown with marudham trees, rightly named as Marudhamalai. The other names as mentioned in perur epic are ‘Marudhavarai’, ‘Marudha vengal’, ‘Marudha verpu’, ‘Velvarai’.

Marudham – tree                           

Asalam - Hills

Marudham + Asalam – Marudhachalam

The word Marudhachalapathy means the king of hills with dense ‘marudham’ trees

Marudham +Aachalam +pathy =

Maruthamtree+malai+Arasan = Marudhachalapathy

 Marudham - tree

 Jalam      -    water

 Pathy    -   god

A priest out of the tiredness and thirst sat under a marudham tree and very piously prayed to lord muruga asking for water. Miraculously water gushed out from the root of the tree, out of excite and happiness, he portrayed lord as tree and water. The name ‘Marudhajalapathy’ is modified as ‘Marudhachalapathy’. The Sanskrit word ‘Aachalam’ means ‘hills’. This hill is specially named as ‘Marudhachalam’.

                                               

 STRUCTURE OF THE TEMPLE

VIMANAM:-

The tower of the temple, at the top is square in shape. It is built of bricks. At the neck are rails and pot like structures. Three dombs are made of metal placed at the top.

THE PRAYERHALL:-

The prayer hall is constructed of stones. The main structure of god is 5 feet in height. The right hand of god bears the ‘Dhandayudham’ and the left hand rests on the hip. The ‘Vel’ is kept crosswise. The status faces east and is in standing posture.

This statue of the lord resembles that of Lord Muruga at palani except that it wears a pleated turban. The small deities of the Lord are made of five metals. The figurines of subramaniar, Veeravakuthevar, sulathevar are also there.

 MANDAPAM:-

 Pillars are not constructed in Mandapam.  Hanging lamps adorn the two sides of the Mandapam.

FRONT HALL:-

It is constructed with black stones.  Four pillars are there and all the pillars are engraved with beautiful flowers and elephants. The statuses of dwarabalagar are not kept on the statue of Vinayagar and on the left side are the statue of kottai Eswarar and Maragadhambigai made of stone.

MAHA MANDAPAM:-

Next to the front hall is meditation hall made of bricks. 18 pillars are constructed in this hall beautifully painted. The ceiling is also beautifully painted. This is called as the Meditation hall.

INNERVARANDAH:-

Next to Mahamadapam is the inner hall, on the walls of this hall are placed the sculptures of vinaygar, Mahalakshimi Muruga, Durgai and Dakshina Moorthy. In the inner hall a small temple for chandikeshwarar is also there.

KODIMARAM:-

The kodimaram is placed in between Mahamadapam and Garudakambam, on the top of the ‘kodimaram’ is the symbol of a cock.

GARUDAKAMBAM:-

Next to ‘kodimaram’ is placed ‘Garudakambam’. It also known as ‘Deepayutha kambam’ on all festivities in the month of ‘karthigai’ they light ‘Nandha Velakku’ (lamp) here.

The Garudakambam is constructed along with a small Mandapam; four figures are engraved on the four sides of the pillar.

On the eastern side is a figurine of Vinayagar, on the northern side is the Kamadhenu which pours milk on sivalingam. In the southern side is Bairavar and vadakkuthiya Murugan Temple.

THANTHONRI VINAYAGAR:-

At the foot hills, at a little distance from it the deity Ganesha stands as if greeting the deity Ganesha stands as if greeting the visitors. Offering prayers to Sri Vigneswara, the remover of obstacles, the devotees begin their ascent to the hills. It is significant to note that the deity is not a chiseled one but it is of a spontaneous origin. The ‘Thanthonri Vinayagar’ is extolled in the ‘Marudhamalai Thanthonri Pathigam’ of Perur puranam. Tamil scholars are keenly devoted to the land.

After worshiping Thanthonri Vinayagar they ascend what is known as ‘Pathinettam Padi’, which has exactly a flight of eighteen steps, reminding us of Lord Ayyappa.  Such if those who could not undertake the strenuous trek to the sabari hills offer worships here and fulfill their vows.

The flight of stops from the foothill to the top causes hardly any strain, rather the climb is light and exhilarating as one goes up the nearly carved steps, gazing round the luxuriant growth of vegetation and breathing the refreshing cool breeze wafted along the herbs of the hills.

THE SHRINE OF IDUMBA:-

The shrine of Idumba is located almost in the middle of the path of steps. The image of the deity is carved on a huge round 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.

KUDIRAI KULAMBU:-      

There is a beautiful Mandapam enshrining what is called ‘kudirai kulambu’. It is believed that the horse of lord muruga caused the marks as he marched against the Demon surapadma or the horse on which Lord Muruga rode and chased the robber referred to earlier might have imprinted by them.

PAMBATTI SIDDHAR CAVE:-

The Pambatti Siddhar Cave is another shrine drawing the attention of the pilgrims. It is located on the slopes towords 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.

PANCHAVRIKSHA:-

There is a cluster of trees closely interwinding 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.

Right from foot hills to the temple on the top there are elegantly built manadapams erected for devotees to take rest.

OTHER SHRINE:-

To the right of the main shrine inside the prakara there is Sri Pateeswarar shrine (the main deity of perur). To the left is located Sri Maragathambigai 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 Maragathambigai, there is the Navagraham shrine. Another unique feature of the temple is the Perumal shrine towards the lest of Alangara Mandapam. The aptakinimar shrine is located on 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. A dip into these springs brings forth health and wealth to devotees.

STALA VRIKSHAM:-        

            The Marudham tree is the sthaia vriksham.

MOOLAVAR:-

Lord Subramanya reigns supreme at the top of the hill in all his radiance, exuding all grace and charam!  The idol made of granite is about five feet in height , facing the east with the right hand holding Dandayutham , the left hand placed on the hip and a spear place across. The image bears a close resemblance to the deity at palani.

                                   

DAILY POOJAS AND FESTIVALS

There are various methods of worshipping god. Performing pooja is a method which enables the devotees to concentrate their thoughts. Every pooja should be performed at the stipulated time. The Hindu temple is a house of worship and has certain unique features. Daily poojas are performed to Lord Muruga five times a day.

            They are as follows:

The daily pooja is performed according to Kamika Agamam.

Temple Pooja times

1. Ushakkalam   -    5.30-6.00am.
2. Kalasandhi     -    8.30-9.00am.
3. Uttchikalam   -    12.00am.
4. Sayaratchai    -    5.30-6.00pm.
5. Ardhajama      -   8.30pm.

                        FESTIVALS

            Marudhamalai is the hill abode temple. To get the blessings of the god thousands of people move toward Marudhamalai and on festival days lakhs and lakhs of people go to worship Lord Muruga. The Karthigai day during every month draws a crowd of thousands.

            There are several festivals celebrated glorifying Lord Marudhachalapathy like Karttikai, Adipathinettu, Padivizha, Thaipoosam, Panguni Uttiram, etc. The Thaipoosam car festival is a festival, most splendid and spectacular attracting a large number of devotees.

                                                    SPECIAL FEATURES

The holy shrine of Marudamalai is believed to remove both physical and mental afflication and attachments as the hill abounds in medicinal herbs. The pleasant breeze and the peaceful environments bring harmony and quietness to the minds of devotees. The saints and holy men used to prefer this hill and came here in search of ‘kayakalpam’ the divine medicine for salvation.

This is by all means a great boon to the physically handicapped who cannot climb the steps. There are three minibuses run by the Devasthanam, plying to and fro in quick succession at a very nominal charge for the benefit of the devotees. In the hill top 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.

CONCLUSION

Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy temple is a very famous and popular temple in Coimbatore. A study on “Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy temple. Marudhamalai – a study” is attempted in this project. The temple of Marudhamalai is not only a place for worship but also a place of religious tolerance.

The temple possesses all the qualities of an ideal temple. The temple is under the control of Hindu religious and charitable endowment department. The estimated amount of annual income is about Rs. 10 lakhs.

The temple is well administered by the trustee and the people of different communities also extend their whole hearted co-operation. The people are interested in making the temple successful by giving donation. The temple became prominent in its architectural skill.

The hill temple is kept open for dharshan froe 6.00am to 8.00pm on ordinary days. On karthikai and other important festival days, the temple is kept open for dharshan from 4.00am to rakkalam.

Arrangements have been made for dharma darshan by special’ Q’ line on the hill temple. Devotees can avail this facility and have dharshan without paying any fee. Facilities have also been made for darshan. Archanai and abishegam are performed on payment of prescribed fees.

Marudhamalai attracts large crowed of worshippers daily. On festive days like kanda shashti and Thaipoosam lakhs of devotes throng to the shrine to offer worship to muruga.