Thirumoorthy Temple

Introduction to the Thirumoorthy Temple

The Thirumoorthy Temple, or Amana Lingeswarar Temple, is located in the Thirumoorthy hills near the Thirumoorthy dam. Thirumoorthy Hill is situated amidst the Anamalai hill ranges in Tirupur district, Tamilnadu. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.

'Thirumoorthy' means three idols; Thirumoorthy Hills got the name from the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Legend of the Thirumoorthy Temple

According to legend, Atri Maharishi and his wife Anusuya Devi lived here a few thousand years ago. Their penance and prayers moved the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and they wanted to test the couple's devotion. The Trinity came to see them in disguise. The couple offered them tribute by seeing their divine appearance.

However, the Trinity refused to accept their offerings and demanded that Anusuya Devi make the offering after removing all her clothes. Anusuya Devi accepted their demand. But first, using the power of her chastity and devotion, she changed the Trinity into three babies and then fed them.

On seeing her power, the Trinity blessed the couple. According to her wish, three children were born to Anusuya Devi: Shiva was born as Sage Durvasa, Vishnu as Dattatreya, and Brahma as Chandra (Moon). Hence, this region became known as Thirumoorthy Hills, and the temple is Thirumoorthy Temple.

It is believed that the Atri Maharishi and Anusuya Devi still worship the deities daily. The Trinity deities are said to have come to the eight-pillared Mandapam and stayed there.

The Architecture of the Thirumoorthy Temple

The Thirumoorthy Temple is 1000 years old. Devotees worship the massive rock Thirumoorthy, which contains a sculpture of a Jain priest. It is believed that this massive rock rolled down from the hills a few centuries ago during a flood. As a supporting fact, the sculpture is carved upside down on the rock top. The Pancha Lingas are present at 900 meters above the mountain.

This ancient temple has some rare sculptures and a spacious front hall. Shiva graces the Thirumoorthy Temple in the names of Amana Lingeswarar, Thirumoorthy Andavar, and Mummoorthy Andavar. As Shiva graces here as a Guru, Dakshinamurthy worship is important in the Thirumoorthy Temple. This cave temple is on a small hill, and all deities grace in the form of Swayambhu Moorthy.

Saptha Kannikas have a separate shrine here. Sthala Vriksham of the Thirumoorthy Temple is a Peepal tree, and Theertham is the Thoni River. Sundara Ganapathi and Balasubramanian are also enshrined at this temple.

Festivals in the Thirumoorthy Temple

Maha Shivratri attracts a large crowd to the Thirumoorthy Temple from February to March. Aadi New Moon Day (Aadi Amavasya in July-August), Thai New Moon Day (January – February), and Mahalaya Amavasya (September—October) also attract devotees to the temple. Other notable festival days in the Thirumoorthy Temple are special Poojas on Sundays at 12.30 p.m., Aavani Sundays (August-September), and annual Abhisekam days in August.

Benefit of Worshipping at the Thirumoorthy Temple

Barren couples believe that bathing in the holy spring and worshipping Saptha Kannikas can bless them with progeny. Women seeking fertility sit on a stone called Varadikal with coconut and fruits and pray to the deities.

Sandal paste worship is popular in the Thirumoorthy Temple. It is believed that when devotees throw the sandal balls at the deity, and the ball sticks to his forehead, their prayerswill be fulfilled.