Marudhamalai Murugan Temple
Marudhamalai is a famous hill temple located near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Dhandayuthapani here. It is considered a very powerful shrine and is one of the most visited Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu.The temple is built on a hill covered with Marudha trees (Arjuna tree), from which it gets its name — Marudhamalai.“Malai” means hill in Tamil, so Marudhamalai means “hill of Marudha trees.”
Marudhamalai Murugan Temple History
Maruthamalai Subramanya Swamy Temple is located in the Perur area of Coimbatore district, about 15 km from Coimbatore city. The temple is built on the scenic Maruthamalai hill, which is part of the Western Ghats, and it stands at a height of 741 meters above sea level.
The temple has a beautiful seven-tiered Raja Gopuram (main tower) that adds to its grandeur. It is one of the most important Murugan temples in the Kongu region (western Tamil Nadu).
The famous saint and poet Kachiyappa Munivar praised this temple in his literary work called the Perur Puranam.The Marudhamalai Murugan Temple was first built by the Kongu Chola kings. Later, it was beautifully expanded by the rulers of the Vijayanagara dynasty and Kongu region. The temple has existed since the 9th century, as people have long worshipped Lord Murugan here using names like Maruthachala, Maruthavaraiyar, Maruthappan, and Maruthaiyan. Even today, it is a well-known landmark of Coimbatore.
Mythological History
The history of this temple was compiled by saint Kachiyappa Munivar of Thiruvaadurai Atheenam. Asura Soorabadhman was blessed with a virtue to rule the 1008 and as for 108 yugas with the help of brother Singamuga and Thaaraga, Soorabadhma caused immense trouble to the Devas. The tortured Deva brought this matter to the rescue of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva advised all the Deva’s to reside in Aathipuri at Perur, until the incarnation of Lord Kumara, and mentioned the importance of the hillock Maruthamalai, as sited in Tamil literature subsequently Lord Shiva incarnated shri Subramanya from the flame of his divine face. Having known this saint Naratha announced the arrival of shri subramanya and the Devas imbibed themselves in a deep long prayer Lord Mahavishnu and the nine warriors who incarnated from the pearl of parvathi Devi’s anklet rushed to Maruthamalai and immersed themselves in submissive prayers under saint Naradha’s guidance, Lord Vishnu also immersed himself in the prayer towards Lord Muruga, this worshipping him in the five saintly periods with appropriate poojas.
Lord Muruga was showered with sandals, Cardamom, Cloves, turmeric, Rose flowers and such scented and sacred items along with milk, honey, tender coconut, and special fruits. Lord Muruga performed abhishegam and aaradhanai in vitually prescribed manner. He was adorned with special flowers and herbs and illuminated his prakar with tall silver lamps that lit up to the eyes of Lord Muruga. Panchamirtham was prepared and the Lord was prayed with utmost devotion and surrender by the Deva’s Lord Muruga close up to the issue and Promised the sufets of the Deva’s. He was cherished as Maruthamala Murthi from then on destroying all the evils that hindered the life of his devotees
Sri Pambatti siddhar had attained the eight supernatural powers called ‘Ashtamasiddhi’ after performing penance for a very long time in a cave on Marudamalai, near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Also he lived in places like Mahalingamalai in Vathiraayiruppu, Kollimalai, and Bhavani.
Pambatti Siddhar was one of the 18 Siddhars, a lineage of monks or sages who lived at various periods in India, mainly in southern India. 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 ‘Templedu Pambe’ which literally means ‘dance, o snake’.
Temple Amenities
Marriage Hall
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Temple authorities allow Murugan Thirukalyanam-style weddings near the Templeivaram (base area) on request.
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Nearby private marriage halls like Marudha Gugan Mahal, Sri Rita Ranga Mahal, and Sri Murugan Thirumana Mahal are used for ceremonies with the temple’s blessings.
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Permission required from the temple office for wedding rituals or photo sessions inside temple grounds.
Tonsure Facility
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Located near the Templeivaram (base) hillbus stop and first-aid center, adjacent to temple parking.
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Token-based system – official fee is ₹10 per head (often plus a small tip)
Vehicle Parking
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Limited parking capacity at the foothills: ~60 cars and ~350 bikes can be accommodated.
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No free vehicle pass for cars: an e-pass system (online booking) has been introduced to manage up to 300 four-wheelers per day.
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Nominal parking fee: approximate ₹30 per car collected at the entrance .
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Mini-bus shuttle service: HR&CE-operated shuttle buses travel between the base and hilltop for ₹10 per person.
Information Centre
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Help desks or local volunteers are available near the base parking area and along the steps, offering guidance on:
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Temple timings and parking rules.
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Mini‑bus schedules and e‑pass usage .
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Points of interest like the Pambatti Siddhar cave, shrines, and the facility layout.
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Marudhamalai Murugan Temple Poojai
Pooja Name | Pooja Timings (IST) |
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Ushakala Pooja | 05:30 AM to 06:00 AM |
Kalasandhi Pooja | 08:30 AM to 09:00 AM |
Uchikkala Pooja | 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
Sayaraksha Pooja (Evening) | 04:30 PM to 05:00 PM |
Ardhajama Pooja | 07:30 PM to 08:00 PM |
Marudhamalai Murugan Temple Archanai & Other Fees
Fees Description | Fees (₹) |
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Kala Pooja Abisegam – One Pooja only | 1500.00 |
Golden Chariot | 2000.00 |
Abisegam | 100.00 |
Annaitamizhil valipadu | 5.00 |
Milk Abisegam | 25.00 |
Golden Kavasam | 500.00 |
Bus Service – one person | 10.00 |
Annadhanam Kattalai – one day (100 members) | 3500.00 |
Archanai | 5.00 |
Special Entrance Dharshan | 50.00 |
Marudhamalai Murugan Temple 2025 Festivals
Festival | Date | Significance¬es |
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Thai Poosam | February 11, 2025 | Major Murugan celebration – kavadi processions, ritual abhishekam, chariot rituals; draws huge crowds. |
Panguni Uthiram | March–April 2025 (Panguni full moon) | Celebrates divine marriages of deities, including Murugan; involves processions and ceremonies |
Vaikasi Visakam | June 9, 2025 | Murugan’s birthday; 108 milk pots abhishekam, flower decorations, chariot procession |
Chithirai Pournami | April 14 – May 13, 2025 (full moon of Chithirai) | Monthly full-moon festival in first Tamil month; fasting and special poojas |
Aadi Perukku (Templei Pathinettu) | July–August 2025 | Celebration linked to monsoon and water blessings; temple rituals and offerings |
Karthigai Deepam | November–December 2025 | Festival of lights; lamps lit throughout temple; bonfires and deepam offerings |
Kanda Sashti/Surasamharam | October–November 2025 | Six-day fasting and rituals culminating in Soorasamharam (devil-slaying enactment) |
Monthly Krithigai Puja | Every Krithigai Nakshatra | Special poojas offering lamps and devotional singing to Murugan |
Tamil New Year | April 14, 2025 | New year rituals and special temple prayers |