Kurunthamalai Kuzhandhai Velayutha Swami Temple - Coimbatore.

Address

Kurunthamalai Kuzhandhai Velayutha Swami Temple, Coimbatore

Karamadai, Kurunthamalai,

Coimbatore district,

Tamil Nadu 641104

Moolavar

Kuzhandhai Velayutha Swami

Introduction

Kurunthamalai Kuzhandhai Velayutha Swami Temple is in Kurunthamalai, a small town in the district of Coimbatore. The temple is 24 km from the city of Coimbatore and 4 km from Karamadai. The temple is dedicated to Kuzhandai Velayudaswamy who is also worshipped as Lord Murugan. The idol of the deity is placed in a sanctum that faces the west side. The temple is situated at the top of a small hillock. On the foothills of the hillock is a small shrine where God Vinayak is worshipped. Lord Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha is his younger brother. Kurunthamalai Kuzhandhai Velayutha Swami Temple is regarded among the most gorgeous temples in the area and is at least 1000 years old.

Puranic Significance

According to a legend, Sage Thiru Agasthiya received ‘Mandira Upadesam’ at this temple from the Lord Himself and hence, the temple is very popular among the devotees of Lord Murugan.
As the hill was once covered with Kurunda trees, it is known as Kurundhamalai. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old. This is one of the most beautiful hill temples in Kongunadu.

When a merchant passing through the region carrying spices from Kerala encountered upon a boy who asked him what he was carrying in his sack. The merchant lied to the boy by saying it was only husk. The boy left and the merchant retired for the night. The next morning while loading the sacks he felt they were lighter than yesterday. On opening them he found that they had been turned to husk. The merchant then understood that the boy was none other than Lord Murugan himself. He then prayed to the lord for forgiveness and dedicated himself to the service of building a temple in the same place.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for child boon, prosperity and fearlessness. Devotees offer vastras and ornaments to Lord

Special Features

The temple sits atop a small hillock with 108 steps and two levels. The first level has temples dedicated to other gods and goddesses while the top level has the main shrine with a large forecourt.

At the foot hills is the shrine of Shri Gambira Ganesa who is a majestic figure of nearly five feet in height. There is also a small water tank called Hanuman River and an Anjaneya temple in the foot hills. The foot prints of the Vayu Puthra are on a rock nearby. After worshipping the Ganesa and Hanuman, one could climb the steps.

The first shrine is that of Shri Anandavalli sametha Shri Agastheeswarar, facing west. On the Eastern side of this shrine is the shrine of Shri Kuzhandhai Vadivelan. The Lord is a four feet Murthy facing west. The rays of the Sun fall on the Lord between Mar 21^st and 23^rd. As per Tamil lore, Murugan is considered the Gnana Guru (Spiritual Guide) of Sage Agasthya. The Sage is believed to have received the Mantra Upadesam here under a Kurundha Tree. It may be remembered that Manickavachagar received the Mandira Deeksha under a Kurundha Tree in Avudayar Koil and here the Son has done the same thing for Agasthiar! Arunagirinathar has sung about this Lord in Thirupugazh. As per the custom in this temple, on special occasions, the Lord is decorated either as a Prince or a Hunter. A poet by name Shri Kandaswamy Swamigal has sung Pillai Thamizh (Poem on the Childhood Leelas) on this Lord.