Thirumuruganatheeswarar Temple

Thirumuruganatheeswarar Temple is in Thirumuruganpoondi, about 9 km from Tiruppur on the road to Avinasi. Shiva is worshipped here as Thirumuruganatheeswarar, facing west, and Parvati as Avudainayagi. Legend says Murugan, after slaying the demon Surapadma, dug a spring with his spear and worshipped Shiva here, which gave the town its name. His shrine therefore shows him without his vel or his peacock. The present structure is thought to be Kongu Chola work of the 10th century, and 68 inscriptions of Vikrama Chola I appear on its walls.

Unusually for a South Indian temple, it has no rajagopuram; a one-acre walled enclosure holds the shrines. The saint Sundarar sang ten verses here, and a story tells how Shiva had his belongings stolen to test him, then restored them; sculptures on the walls show Sundarar angry, humiliated and happy. The temple has a Nataraja hall, three tanks and images of Kalabhairava and Lingodbhava considered examples of Kongu Chola craft. The Brahmotsavam in Maasi and Mahashivaratri are the main festivals.