- Deity
- Lord Murugan
- Timings
- 6.30 am to 7.30 pm, daily
- Distance from Kodaikanal Lake
- About 4 km
- Kurinji bloom
- Once every 12 years
The temple
Murugan, known in the hills as Kurinji Andavar, is the presiding deity. The shrine is modest in size but neatly built, and there are smaller images of other gods including Ganapathy. The temple is simple and uncrowded on most days, and you can usually offer worship without waiting. Devotees often combine a visit here with Palani, the great Murugan hill temple on the plains below.
The kurinji bloom
Kurinji is a shrub of the high Western Ghats that flowers in great numbers only once every twelve years. In a bloom year the hillsides around the temple turn a soft blue-purple, drawing large crowds. Between blooms, a few scattered plants may still flower, and the temple garden is pleasant in any season. Check local news before planning a trip around the flowers, as the forest department announces bloom seasons and sometimes regulates visitor numbers.
Views and surroundings
From the temple you look out over tea gardens, terraced plots of carrot and cabbage, cottages dotted on the slopes and the folds of the Palani Hills. A small park for children and a garden with benches make it a good place to rest for a while, especially for families. Small stalls near the entrance sell flowers for offerings and hot tea, welcome on a misty morning.
Timings and how to reach
Darshan is possible daily, 6.30 am–7.30 pm. It is about 4 km from Kodaikanal Lake, an easy ride by taxi or auto. Kodaikanal is pleasant for most of the year; bring a warm layer, as it gets cool in the evenings. We can include the temple in a Kodaikanal tour package with a car and driver.
Also nearby
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