Madappur Muthukumaraswamy Temple

Sri Muthukumaraswamy hill temple is located at Maddapur around 3 Kms from Palladam in Tirupur district -Tamilnadu.Lord Muruga in this Madappur temple appears identical in form as in Palani. Also, he is here with his father Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati.

It is believed that this temple and the temple in Palani is of same age and period.Both Murugas are identical in form.The only difference is that Muruga in Palani is facing west and Muruga here in Madappur temple is facing east. The spring, Lord Pada Vinayaka and the steps are identical in both temples confirming the contemporary age.

There are separate shrines for Lord Madhimaleeswarar,

Maragadambikai and Lord Muruga with Vimanas-a small tower above the shrine, all on a big rock. There are Mandaps with aesthetic beauty. Fish Symbols in the temple show, it is likely that renovations could have been taken up by Pandya kings. The recent consecration had been celebrated without damaging old traditions.

According to Sthala Purana – local history- this is the temple in Madappur from where Lord Shiva and Mother Ambika called Muruga about his whereabouts after leaving them due to the mango fruit dispute. Lord Muruga answered from Palani, as the son appeared before the Mother – Maadha(Mata) in Tamil and in Sanskrit – the place- Oor is called Madhapur – Madappur now.

As per legend once Tippu Sultan while travelling from Palakkadu to Mysore, he got separated from his soldiers, he wanted to locate them but could not find them. He climbed on the idol of the Lord Muruga to find his troops. Murugan became furious and took away Tippu’s eye sight.The Sultan realised his mistake and sought relief.The Lord restored his vision and the Sultan gave lot of donations and re-built the the temple for Lord Muruga with shrines for his parents Lord Shiva and Mother Ambika also.

In the Kongu region, the Deepa Sthamba is generally outside the temple.Here also it is present outside and devotees light lamps on the Krithigai day.  There is a water spring in the rocks. While one story mentions that it was created by Maragadambigai for Murugan, there is another view that it was created by Murugan for his mother.Thaipoosam Car festival and Panguni Uthiram are the main festivals in the temple.Like many other hill temples, here also Girivalam ( going around the hill ) is being done on the full moon days.

Undertaking Sashti fasting is a prayer followed by all devotees here for wedding, child boons and relief from various problems they face in life. They surrender to Mother Ambika for quiet and happy life.