Kurinji Andavar Temple

Kurinji Andavar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located about 3 km from Kodaikanal town in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Palani Hills and Vaigai Dam valley, it is notable for its association with the Kurinji flower which blooms once every 12 years. Built in 1936, the temple is a popular pilgrimage and sightseeing spot offering panoramic views and a tranquil setting amid pine forests.

Visitors can expect a small hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Murugan with a simple South Indian architectural style, set amid pine trees and offering panoramic views of the Palani hills, Vaigai Dam and surrounding valleys. The complex includes the main shrine, steps leading up to the temple, and an open courtyard area for viewing the landscape. The surroundings are quiet and scenic, suitable for prayer, sightseeing and photography of the valley views.

The temple was built in 1936 by Leelavathi Ramanathan, wife of Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, a Sri Lankan Tamil statesman. It is dedicated to Lord Murugan, referred to as Kurinji Andavar, the God of the hills. The temple is named after the Kurinji shrub that covers the surrounding hills and blooms once every 12 years, an event last widely noted in 2018.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, an important deity in Tamil Hindu tradition and regarded as the guardian of the Kurinji (hilly) landscape in Tamil Sangam literature. The Kurinji flower holds cultural significance in Tamil Nadu and the temple is a focal point for devotees during the rare mass blooming season. It serves as both a religious site and a cultural landmark for visitors to Kodaikanal.