Thittamalai Murugan Temple, also known as Arulmigu Kulanthai Kumaraswamy Temple, is located on a small hill in Thittamalai village, near Nambiyur in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu.The main deity is Lord Murugan, also known here as Kulanthai Kumaraswamy (Murugan as a child).
Locals believe this hilltop Murugan Temple it to be centuries old. It is said that this place was once a forested hill where sages and siddhars performed intense penance. Over time, the hill became known for its spiritual energy, and a shrine was established after Lord Murugan appeared in visions and dreams of the devotees. The temple has recently undergone renovations, and a Kumbh Mela (consecration ceremony) was held with great devotion and fanfare.
The temple follows traditional South Indian architecture, with a small but beautiful gopuram (entrance tower), mandapams (pillared halls), and a sanctum sanctorum where the main deity resides. The temple is on a rocky hill, and visitors must climb steps to reach the top, adding a spiritual trekking experience. The deity, Lord Murugan, is worshipped here in his child form, hence the name Kulanthai Kumaraswamy.
Long ago, the Thittamalai hill was a dense forest filled with natural beauty and spiritual energy. It is believed that sages and siddhars chose this hill for meditation and spiritual practices because of its powerful vibrations. They performed intense penance to seek blessings from Lord Murugan.
The local people were troubled by evil spirits and negative forces during this time. They prayed for divine intervention. According to legend, Lord Murugan appeared on this hill in the form of a child (Kulanthai Kumaraswamy) to protect the people. His divine presence brought peace to the area.
The hill came to be called Thittamalai — where “Thittu” means an elevated land and “Malai” means hill in Tamil. Devotees believed that worshipping here with devotion removes obstacles in life, delays in marriage, and health issues.
It is said that devotees who climb the hill with faith and offer Kavadi or milk pots during festivals receive Murugan’s blessings in abundance. Some even experience divine visions or feel an intense spiritual connection at this place.
Thittamalai Murugan Temple celebrates several festivals, with Thaipusam being the most prominent, attracting large crowds for rituals like abhishekam, kavadi, and milk pot offerings. Other major festivals include Panguni Uthiram, Skanda Sashti, and Karthigai Deepam, each marked with special poojas, processions, and annadhanam (free meals). These festivals reflect deep devotion and the temple’s spiritual significance in the region.
