Thirumuruganatheeswar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Coimbatore International Airport is the nearest airport, about 45 km from Tiruppur city.

• By train

  Tiruppur railway station is the main rail head for the town.

• By road

  The temple is about 9 km from Tiruppur on the Tiruppur to Avinasi road. Get off at the bus stop and walk the route to the temple.

Why devotees come here

Thirumuruganatheeswar Temple stands in Thirumuruganpoondi, a town in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped here as Thirumuruganatheeswarar, with Parvathi as Avudainayagi. It is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam, shrines praised in the Tevaram hymns.

Legend says Muruga dug a spring here with his spear and worshipped Shiva at this place. Another account says he was told to make a sand lingam at Kandamapuri in Kongu Nadu. The temple is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam, shrines praised in the Tevaram, a 7th century Tamil Saiva work by the Nayanmar saints.

Its legendary significance and inscriptions give it fourth place among the seven specially mentioned shrines of Kongu Nadu.

The present structure is believed to date from the Kongu Chola period, in the 10th century. Most of its inscriptions belong to King Vikrama I, the earliest of the Kongu Cholas, dated 1004 to 1045 A.D. The temple has no gateway tower, unlike most South Indian temples. The sanctum holds a lingam that faces west. A separate shrine for Muruga faces south, which is unusual here, and the towers are studded with stucco work that shows mythological stories.

Festivals

• Maasi month, February to MarchBrahmotsavam

  Held for the saint Sundarar, and one of the most prominent festivals here.

Tips for your visit

• The Madhavaneswarar and Mangalambikai temple is about 100 metres away across Poolurpatti road.
• Look for the separate Muruga shrine, which faces south.

Questions people ask