A visit of healing - inward and outward

The Place of worship of Marudhamalai, standing tall against the striking vistas of lush green hills and azure skies, is a shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, too called Lord Subramanya or Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The shrine, found just west of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, traces its origins back to the Sangam period (3rd century BCE - 3rd century CE), being referred to in the Purananuru which is a classic Tamil poetic work. The legends surrounding the shrine claim that Lord Murugan, after defeating the demon Surapadman in a heroic battle, sought refuge and found it in the Marudhamalai Hills, which derive their name from the native Marudham (Arjuna) trees. The tract exudes a healing aura, and is noted for being layered in plants that possess medicinal properties. There are pools of holy water near the shrine.

The place of worship’s main structure, as seen in modern times, was raised in the 12th century by the Chola emperors, and received further embellishments from other rulers like the Pandyas and Nayakas. It exhibits typical Dravidian structures with intricate stone carvings and inscriptions depicting the usage of words such as “Marudhan” and “Marudhachalam.” The gopuram, which is the tower at the entrance, is adorned with detailed depictions of different deities. It stands on a 600 ft tall granite hill, which provides a sweeping view of the surrounding hills.