Murugan temples in Kongu Nadu

Kongu Nadu (or Kongu Desam) is a prosperous region centred around Coimbatore in the western part of the south Indian state Tamil Nadu. Known for its world class export products, busy towns and agriculture, the region also comprises of several spectacular temples. Since Kongu Nadu lies in the path of the Western Ghats, it consists of several hillocks apart from some well known monster hills (like Nilgiris, Kolli hills, etc). Well, hillocks are Lord Murugan's favourites and he has chosen every single spot in this region to shower his blessings on us. While many of these temples are known to the locals, the purpose of this post is to popularise some of these to people who are not aware of it.

1) Thindalmalai Sri Velayudhaswamy, Thindal   (map)

With just about 100 steps, this is a small temple but is well maintained and will be easily accessible for elderly persons. Cars and buses can park straight in front of the entrance shown above.

Route - This temple is located about 7 kms (Kilometres) west of Erode town on Erode-Perundurai road (map)

Temple website - http://www.thindalmurugan.tinfo.in/thindal_murugan_overview.html
Reference - http://www.anupamablog.com/temples/thindal-malai-murugan-temple-erode

2) Chennimalai Sri Subramanyaswamy temple, Chennimalai    (map)

This is one of the biggest and most beautiful temple in this region. Well known for the miracle - bullock cart with two bulls climbed all the 1320 steps on their own on 12th February 1984, this temple is situated at about 400 metres above sea level and this hill is noted for its natural flora and fauna. This hill also has rare medicinal herbs in its lush green forests. In Devanagiri this hill is called Siragiri and Chenniyangiri. In Tamil it is called Chennimalai. The city underneath the hill is also called Chennimalai.

Pinnakku Siddhar cave (shown above) is located at the back of the temple. 

Route - It is located about 30 kms from Erode - Route map

It has a total of 1320 steps but also has road access to the top making it easy for the older people. Inexperienced drivers planning to drive up the hill must be cautious as it has 9 hairpin bends, which are easy to negotiate and not anywhere close to being dangerous.

Temple website - http://chennimalaitemple.org/
Wikipedia reference for the town - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennimalai
More reference - http://murugan.org/temples/chennimalai.htm


3) Sivanmalai Sri Subramanyaswamy Temple, Sivanmalai   (map)

Route - Sivanmalai is located on the Tiruppur-Kangeyam road just 5 kms from Kangeyam and 26 kms from Tiruppur. The temple has roads leading up to the very top. Some state government buses run from Tiruppur and nearby towns.

Temple website : http://sivanmalaimurugan.org/index.html

4) Kaithamalai Sri Vetri Velayudaswamy Temple, Uthukuli  (map)

Route - Located just at 4 kms from Uthukuli, this temple also has road access to the top.

References - http://murugan.org/temples/uttukuli.htm
                     http://wikimapia.org/254144/Sri-Vetri-Velayudhaswami-Temple-Kaithamalai-Uttukuli



Note: Chennimalai, Sivanmalai and Kaithamalai form a triangle and are approximately 25 kms from each other (map). If one starts with any one of them early in the morning by car, it should be possible to visit all three places before noon comfortably.


5) Sri Muthukumaraswamy Temple, Alagumalai   (map)

Back entrance

A view of Sivanmalai (hill in the distant background) from the top of Alagumalai 

A view from down the hill

Route - Alagumalai is located near Peruntholuvu panchayat 20 kms from Tiruppur (map) and is about 15 kms west of Sivanmalai temple (map)
Reference - http://www.kaumaram.com/aalayam/index_alagumalai.html

NOTE: It is believed that there are more than 200 such Murugan temples around this region. If you are interested in exploring other such beautiful temples, you can contact Sri Ramachandra Gurukkal (Ragu) (+91 9842783759) who is the gurukkal at the Alagumalai temple, to get more information.


6) Pachamalai and Pavazhamalai (map)

Pachamalai and Pavazhamalai are located at 3 kms from each other. It is very easy to cover both in less than an hour.

Route - Pachamalai and Pavazha malai are located very close to Gobichettipalayam (map) Both are around 5 kms from Gobichettipalayam. There is a road leading up to the Pachamalai temple but is a little narrow allowing vehicles in only one direction. It is adviced to climb the steps at both the temples as its only around 100 steps.

Reference - http://www.pachaimalai.in/Eng/ind.htm
                   http://pachaimalaimurugan.tnhrce.in/


7) Arulmigu Kuzhandhai Velayudhaswamy Temple, Kurundhamalai (map)

One of the most beautiful temples in the region. Here Murugan appears as a small child (Kuzhandhai Velayudhar).

Valli cave (and sunai - theertham) is on a separate hillock in front of Kurundhamalai. One has to climb the steps to reach the sunai. Those who plan to visit Valli sunai are recommended to arrive at the place at least around noon as the locals said it is not safe to climb in the dark.

Route - It is located at about 32 kms north of Coimbatore on Coimbatore-Mettupalayam road near Karamadai (map) From Karamadai, it is about 6 kms. At Karamadai take the left (when driving from Coimbatore) at Velliangadu road (map)

There is no road to the top and one has to take the steps

Reference - http://www.kaumaram.com/aalayam/index_kurunthamalai.html
                   http://www.covai.com/temples/kurund.htm
                   http://www.nativeplanet.com/coimbatore/attractions/kurunthamalai-kuzhandhai-velayutha-swami-temple/


8) Sri Kalyana Subramanyaswamy Temple, Kumaran Kundru (map)

Another small but beautiful temple, this temple is on a hillock surrounded by fields.

Route - It is located at about 8 kms east of Karamadai. Kurundhamalai and this temple are located on either side of Karamadai.

From Karamadai take the Kumaran Kundru temple road (map) and it will lead you straight into the temple.

More reference - http://venkateshmama.blogspot.com/2009/10/kumaran-kundru.html



It is believed that there are more than 200 such Murugan temples around this region. If you happen to visit such not-so-popular temples whose information is not widely available on internet, please share the information so that you can help others.


Please let me know if you find any broken links. I will fix them as soon as possible. Thanks in advance!