Thirumoorthy Temple – Popular Pilgrim Centers Nearby Palani For Pilgrims

By Author: S Kumar Hotel Amritham
Total Articles: 2
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The famous hill temple Palani is surrounded by multiple pilgrim places. The Thirumoorthy
temple is one among the many such pilgrim places adjacent to Palani. Thirumoorthy temple
is located at the foot of Thirumalai hills. It is located near the Thirumoorthy Reservoir. This
is a picturesque location and it is part of Western Ghats. It includes from Panchalingham
falls onward. The massive looking Western Ghats with the lively flowing Panchalingam
Reservoir makes it one of the most attractive places to visit near Palani. It is also close to
other attractive places like Palani hills, Munnar and more such tourist spots.

The story behind the Thirumoorthy temple is very interesting. It is believed that a few
thousand years ago Atri Mahirshi lived here along with his wife Anasuya. She was so
devoted to her husband (called “Pativrtyam” in Sanksrit). This generated jealousy among
the wives of Lords Brahma-Vishnu- Shiva. They requested their husbands to break her
pativratyam. Hence, as per their request the three Lords visited Anasuya at her house, and
asked for food as Bhiksha. She agreed to provide food to three Lords. While she wanted to
serve food, they put forward a condition which landed here in great dilemma. The Lords
insisted that they would accept food only if she serves food without clothes. This puts her
in a situation where she loses her “pativrtyam” if she presents herself as naked. She could
not deny the request of guests since she felt that the guests were not normal men, and
were trying to put her in a tricky situation. After a few of minutes of thinking she decided to
serve them naked as the guest refer her as mother (“Bhavati (Mother) Biksham dehi”.
Fortunately, the greatness of her thinking turned the three men into small babies, she
breastfed them, and put them in a cradle. After hearing this from Anasuya, Atri Mahirshi
prayed to God. Thereafter the babies turned to their original form. As a tribute to the
greatness of Anasuya, Lords blessed her with three children – Durvasa, Dhattatreya and
Moon-god Chandra. The Lords Brahma-Vishnu- Shiva (the Thiru-Moorthys) blessed the
couple seeing her devotion. Hence the place is known as Thiru-Moorthy hills.

The Thrumoorthy hill is located around 19kms away from Udumalipettai on the highway
between Palani and Coimbatore. If you are visiting Palani, please make sure not to miss
this location. One can reach there by Air up to Coimbatore, and thereafter by road.
Coimbatore is connected by rail to all major Places in India as well. The climate here is
generally salubrious. However, during summer temperature varies between 25 and 30 °C.

The best times stay here is from September to December. The average rainfall reported
here is 1550 mm.