- December 21, 2024
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Read Maruthamalai Murugan Temple History in Tamil
Lord Murugan has a significant place in the Hinduism. He is predominantly worshipped by the people in Tamil Nadu and hence he is called as “Tamil God”. Lord Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Murugan came to birth as six children through the flames from the third eye of the Lord Shiva and he basically grew with the Karthika women. Once, the Goddess Parvati hugged all the six children together and they became one with six heads. Hence, Lord Murugan is called as “Aarumuga”. Let us see in detail about the history behind one of the famous and important shrine Lord Murugan – Subramanya Swamy Temple, Marudhamalai, Coimbatore.
The God here is called as Subramanya Swamy and the temple is popularly known as Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple. The temple is located in Maruthamalai in Coimbatore District. The history of the temple goes as that Pambatti Siddhar was involved in catching snakes at an early age, breaking down their venom and making medicine for snakebite and hence the people call him as the “Snake Doctor.” Once he came to Marudhamalai in search of a snake breed Naga Rathnam. The sage Sattai Munivar then appeared before him and told him that “The purpose of birth is to find the serpent (Kundalini power) within the body and it is useless to wander in the forest in search of snakes!”. Pambatti Siddhar who heard his word gained wisdom and came to the conclusion that he will never hurt any lives on the Earth. He began worshipping the Lord Murugan in Maruthamalai and engaged in meditation. Being happy upon his penance the Lord Murugan appeared before him with his wives Valli and Deivana and blessed him wisdom. Devotees call him as Maruthamalai Mamani.
The Marudhamalai temple located in a hill station and it consists of about 837 steps. There is a shrine for Varadaraja Perumal in the temple. Sapta-kanniyar Sanctuary is located on the way to the Pambatti Siddhar Sanctuary. Special worship takes place in the Sapta-kanniyar Shrine during the Aadi Peruku (the 18th day of the Tamil Month Aadi). Idumban Sanctuary is located on the way to the road leading to the temple and there is a tiger vehicle opposite to this junction.
Arthajama Pooja Special: Pambatti Siddhar, blessed by Lord Murugan, carved a new idol for Lord Murugan at Marudhamalai. This idol of the Lord Murugan has two arms, just like the Palani Murugan, with an anklet in his right hand and a left arm at his waist. At the back of the head is a pony tail (Kudumi). He wears an anklet on his feet. Every day he will appear before his devotees in three types of decorations, namely royal ornaments decoration, vibudhi kappu and sandalwood decoration. On special days like Karthigai and Thaipoosam, he wears a golden armor. Only in Arthajama Puja he can be seen in self-portrait as a Dandayuthapani, where he wears only the veil, without any ornament or crown.
The Pambatti Siddhar Sanctuary is located in a cave in the middle of the cliffs. He has a magudi (a pipe or a wind instrument blown to attract the snakes) in his right hand and a stick in his left hand. Nearby is Shivalingam and Nagar idols. After the puja for Murugan, puja is also performed for the Pambatti Siddhar. According to Hindu Mythology, it is believed that Pambatti Siddhar still worships Lord Murugan here. Every day they pour milk in a bowl in his sanctuary and the next day this milk in the bowl may be low. It is believed that Siddhar have anointed this milk to Lord Murugan and worshipped him.
There is a snake shape on the rock in the Pambatti Siddhar Shrine. The Lord Murugan appeared to the Pambatti Siddhar in the form of the serpent and this serpent is worshiped as Lord Murugan. On the back of this shine, there are three forms of pedestal-like structure and these are worshiped as the Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and the Godddess Ambika. Usually Lord Murugan will be seated in the middle of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati but, here it is special to see Lord Ganesha between his parents.
The Lord Murugan is also known as ‘Marudachala Murthy‘ here as he is the benefactor of the hill, which is rich in medicinal trees and contains herbs that have healing properties. The name of the theertham is known as Maruthu Sunai. This theertham became famous. It is said that this theertham is produced from under a mangrove tree in the hill and the theertham is used for anointing the Subramanya Swamy.
Usually, in the ancient Shiva temples, the Lord Shiva is self-existent. But, here in this temple Lord Murugan is self-existent along with his wives Valli and Deivana who were also self-existent. The Lord Murugan has a split on the back. The Goddess Valli is taller while the deity Deivana is little shorter. His shrines called as Aadhi Moolastanam. After the first pooja is performed this self-existent Lord Murugan, the pooja for the main Murugan (carved by Pambatti Siddhar) takes place.
Generally, Lord Ganesha will be found under a peepal tree but, here he is found under five types of trees namely Peepal, Fig, Neem, Vanni and Korakottai and hence the name Pancha Vriksha Ganesha. Nearby, Lord Murugan sits on his vehicle peacock with a sword in his hand.
The idol of Lord Murugan where he is seated in the middle of the Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati is called as Somaskandar. Here too, Lord Murugan is seen in the middle of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and hence he is called as Somaskandar.
Luxury decorations are not done for Pambatti Siddhar. They dress up and decorate him with the Holy Ash (Viboothi). This implies that human beings should live a simple life without luxuries.
On the way to the Marudhamalai temple, there is a shrine of “Self-existent Ganesha” at the base of the hill. He has only an elephant’s head and no body. He stretches out his trunk towards the Murugan shrine on the hill. Nearby, there is another Ganesha statue. After performing puja for the self-existent Ganesha, puja is performed for the main Ganesha. It is said that the devotees must worship this self-existent Ganesha before worshipping the Lord Murugan.
Although the vehicle for the Lord Murugan is a peacock, in a few villages the temples make him wake up on horseback during festivals. Do you know the reason for this? In the past, some thieves looted the temple and escaped. Then, the Lord Murugan mounted the horse, overtook them, recovered the objects and added them back to the temple. When the Lord Murugan was speeding on the horse, a ditch was formed at the place where the horse had trampled. The trail is on a cliff in the hills and this stone is called as the horse hoof stone.
Those who have marriage and Putra doshas worships the Lord Murugan by tying Mangalya rope and cradle to the tree for Ganesha and Murugan. It is believed that people who have been bitten by snakes and poisonous creatures can be cured by dissolving the holy ash in water and having it. People suffering from skin diseases can apply this to condition their body.
Those who want peace of mind and have Naga Dosha worship at the Pambatti Siddhar Sanctuary by lighting a Ghee Lamp and by offering a white flower and a sweet treat.
Morning: 5.30 AM to 1.00 PM
Evening: 2.00 PM to 8.30 PM
Maruthamalai Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Rd, Marudhamalai Adivaram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641046.
Contact Number: +914222422490
