MARUTHAMALAI TEMPLE - COIMBATORE

MARUDHAJALA MOORTHI

PAMPPATTI SIDDHAR CAVE

The word "Marudhachalapathy" or "Maruthamalai Andavar" means Master of Hills, abounding in Marudha trees. The name has also a legendary origin. A Siddha, overcome by excessive thirst and tiredness, sought shelter under the shade of a Marudha tree and prayed to the mercy of the Lord Muruga for a shower of water, which sprang at once as though by a miracle from beneath the tree! As water gushed out from the roots of the marudha tree, the Siddha leaped in joy, glorifying Muruga as the Lord of "Marudha" and "Jalam" (water) with the passage of time, "Marudhajalapathi" became "Marudhachalapathy" or "Marudhachalamoorthy".

The "Pambatti Siddhar Cave" is another shrine attracting our attention. It is located on the slopes towards the South-east of the temple. It is reported that a snake charmer who became a Siddha used this cave as his abode for meditation on Lord Muruga and attained "Salvation" here. Here one can notice the image of the snake on the rock not carved but formed of its own accord.

The "Marudha Thirtam" and the"Pambatti Sunai" are springs on the hills with holy waters for ablution and a dip in them cures a number of diseases for they contain Medicinal Properties.