Uthanda Velayudhaswamy Temple, Uthiyur

Arulmigu Uthanda Velayudhaswamy Temple crowns the Uthiyur Hills near Uthiyur in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, beside State Highway 83A between Erode and Dharapuram, 14 km from Kangeyam and 18 km from Dharapuram. Dating to the 9th century, it is dedicated to Velayudhasamy, a form of Murugan (Kartikeya), with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. The hills appear as Uthimalai in Arunagirinathar's Thiruppugal, and the Kongu Velalar Gounder community hold the temple auspicious through its link with the siddhar Konganar.

About 100 steps lead up to the temple, which is entered from the south, with a rajagopuram on the east. In the sanctum stands a five-foot image of Uthanda Velayudha Swami, with shrines to Ganesha and Bhairava beside him. The temple follows the Karana Agama, celebrates its annual festival in the month of Panguni and is a stop for pilgrims walking to Palani. Other shrines on the hills include those of Konkana Siddhar and Kailasanathar.