Thirumoorthy Hills

Thirumoorthy hills

Thirumoorthy Hills form a part of the Anaimalai range of the Western Ghats. Thirumoorthy temple is situated 50 Kms from Pollachi and 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore.

Like other hills in Anaimalai range, this place heaven for the hikers and natural lovers. If you want to hike around Thirumoorthy hills, you should get permission from the forest department. Forest department is located nearby Thirumoorthy hills bus station and/or temple. Besides, it consists of three places of interest – Thirumoorthy Temple, Panjalinga Falls, and Thirumoorthy Dam.

Amanalingeshwara Temple

Thirumoorthy temple is situated at the foot of the hill adjacent to Thirumoorthy Dam. Importance of this temple is three Moorthy (syumbhu) Idols originate in same place.Legend says that a few thousand years ago, sage Athari Maharishi along with his wife Anushiya Devi lived here. Moved by their prayer, Lord Shiva along with Brahma and Vishnu (3 moorthis or Thirumoorthy) came in disguise to test their devotion. Overwhelmed by their appearance the couple offered them their tribute. The 3 moorthis refused to accept their offerings as such and demanded that Anushiya Devi should make the offering in nudity. She accepted their demand, and with the power of her devotion, she changed the 3 moorthis into babies and fed them. On seeing the devotion of Anushiya Devi, the 3 moorthis blessed the couple and so the place gets its name. There is an old temple here on the foothill.

Panjalinga Falls

One has to climb around 1-2 km to reach the Panjalinga Falls, but it’s worth the climb as the water there is fabulous, but only during the winter and rainy months the falls will be in full force. Little above the water falls you can find open temple. Originally there are five god statue was there. Due to heavy water rain, some of the statues were missed. During the festival time, pilgrimage from nearby areas will come to this place. There after bring “Panjalinga water” for their prayer rituals.

Panjalinga Falls

Thirumoorthy Dam

Thirumoorthy Dam is a nice place for a one-day outing from Coimbatore. It has boating, a nice place to have your lunch (of course, you should pack your lunch as there are no good hotels out there), and the drive there is ultimate. From Coimbatore, you can either go to Udumalpet and go from there or take my favourite, the more interior and scenic route that goes through the villages. The drive is simply great with the whole route surrounded by sunflower gardens, coconut groves, and paddy fields. Sometime, you can see the cinema shooting in this beautiful locations.

Thirumoorthy Dam View

Other Attractions

There is also a swimming pool and a well laid out garden near by the dam. If you have bicycle, it’s nice location for natural riding. The place has many tribal settlements around and has rich moist & dry deciduous forests.

Sunflower Fields Nearby Hills

Transportation

This is approximately 20 km from Udumalpet on the Highway from Palani to Coimbatore. Local buses are available from Udumalpet to this place. Meter Gauge Railway is passing from Dindigul to Coimbatore through Udumalpet. Through Air Coimbatore Flights connect to Chennai and other important cities.