Marudhamalai Hill Temple, Coimbatore
( The popular place to visit the Anaimalai Hills of the Western Ghats. It is about 65 kilometers (40 mi) from Coimbatore.)
Marudhachalamurthy (Lord Muruga) Temple, Marudamalai is a popular 12th-century hill temple situated in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Built by Tamil kings during the Sangam period as indicated in the Purananuru, the temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is considered the Seventh House of Lord Murugan. Like most Murugan temples, the temple is situated upon a hillock, part of the Western Ghats about 12 km west from the centre of the city of Coimbatore. Thai Poosam and other Murugan festivals are celebrated. The name ‘marudham’ is derived from the native trees marudha maram (Terminalia arjuna) present in the hill where the temple is situated and ‘malai’ in Tamil language is meant hill or mountain. This Murugan temple is special since it is in east face on the hill compare to other Murugan temples on the hills.
Paambatti Siddhar
In Southern end of the temple pragaram staircase to the Pambatti Siddhar cave is located. Pambatti Siddhar was one of the 18 siddhars. He lived during the 12th century. Pambatti Siddhar performed penance in the Marudhamalai hill. Lord Murugan is said to have appeared as a snake to him. Later, Lord Murugan appearing along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai is said to have given Siddhar marudha theertham and blessed him. A connecting tunnel route from Lord Murugan’s sanctum sanctorum and Siddhar’s cave was formed and Siddhar is believed to have used it to worship the Lord.
Traveller Tips for Devotees
1. Do not throw anything here and there. It is your responsibility to keep the place clean and green
2. Also, carrying a good amount of water and other necessary supplies with you is advisable.
Connectivity
Airways :
If you are travelling by air, Coimbatore International Airport is the nearest airport which is nearly 50 km away from the destination. Coimbatore Airport is well-served by both domestic and international tourists. From the airport, opt for a private or a shared taxi to get to this popular attraction.
Railways :
Approximately 33 km away is the Mettupalayam Railway Station and around 29 km away is the Ooty Railway Station. You can enjoy a train service at any of the stations. These 2 stations connect Ooty with the metro cities of India such as Kochi, Jaipur, Puri, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Kanyakumari and more. After arriving in Ooty, experience the further journey through Nilgiri Toy Train to have the best time of your life.
Road Ways :
Choose to travel by road if you want to feel the magic of Ooty on your way. There are several private and government-owned buses that operate daily for the convenience of tourists. You can also hire a private vehicle from one of the leading car rental companies in Ooty for hassle free commutation within the hill station. However, the entry of the vehicles up to the falls is not allowed, so one must need to trek to reach Catherine Falls.
Places To Visit Near Marudhamalai Hill Temple
There are several options to explore nearby Aliyar apart from witnessing the views it beholds. You can take assistance from our team to plan your itinerary as per your holiday duration. The top 5 places to visit in Coonoor are:
1. Dolphin’s Nose: Visit Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint to admire the lush greenery, majestic waterfalls and awe-inspiring mountains from the top. Here you can also overlook the unobstructed view of the natural beauty along with the tea plantations.
2. Rallia Dam: Another equally fasciation attraction is Rallia Dam, where you can spot a wide variety of animals such as Bisons and Malabar Squirrels in the forest. It is a short drive away from Aliyar Dam.
3. Sim’s Park: Be sure to take a short stroll at Sim’s Park whenever you are on your Ooty tour. Nestled on the slope of the hill, the park offers 1000 plus species of colourful flowers and plants. It is just 6 km away from Dolphin’s Nose.
4. Government Botanical Park: Have a fun time with your family at Government Botanical Garden. Spreading over an area of 55 acres, the garden is mainly visited by people for educating their children about nature conservation.
5. Upper Bhavani Lake: Treat your eyes to picturesque views at Upper Bhavani Lake. An ideal spot for nature lovers, the Upper Bhavani Lake is just like heaven on earth. Unlike other attractions, it is a less-crowded place in Coonoor.
