Maruthamalai Marudhachalamurthy Temple
Hindu temple in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Through Sangam literature
Like most Murugan temples, the temple is situated upon a hill, part of the Western Ghats about 12 km west from the centre of the city of Coimbatore. Thaipusam and other festivals dedicated to the deity are celebrated here. On many evenings, devotees gather for a procession of Murugan sitting in a chariot (ratha yatra) and encircle the temple.
The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Etymology
The name Marudhamalai refers to the 600 ft (180 m) tall granite hill on which the temple stands and is derived from the native tree called marudham or marudha maram (Terminalia arjuna, also known as the Arjuna tree) which grows there, and malai, meaning hill or mountain in Tamil. This Murugan temple is special since it is on the east face on the hill, unlike other Murugan temples on the hills.
Marudhamalai Adivaram
Marudhamalai, or Marudhamalai Adivaram (meaning "at the foot of Maradhumalai"), is also the name of the locality to the east of the hill and the temple. It forms part of the 17th ward of Coimbatore Corporation.
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The presiding deity is addressed by multiple names, such as Marudhamalai Andavar, Marudachalapathi and Dhandayuthanpani. There are springs or pools of sacred water (theertham) around the temple, namely Maruda Theertham and Skanda Theertham, which are believed to possess medicinal properties.
Pambatti Siddhar
In the southern end of the temple, the prahara staircase to the Pambatti Siddhar cave is located. Pambatti Siddhar was one of the 18 Siddhars, a group of Tamil sages, and lived during the 12th century. He is regarded to have performed penance on the Maruthamalai hill. According to legend, Murugan appeared as a snake to him, and to have appeared again later along with his consorts Valli and Devasena, and is said to have given Siddhar the Marutha Tirtham and blessed him. A connecting tunnel route from Murugan's sanctum sanctorum and Siddhar's cave was formed, which the Siddhar is believed to have used to worship the deity.