Muthumalai Murugan Temple is a serene and spiritually significant hill temple located near Salem, dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Tamil God of Courage and Wisdom. Nestled amidst peaceful hill surroundings…. the temple offers a calm atmosphere away from the bustle of the city. Devotees climb a series of steps or travel by road to reach the temple, enjoying panoramic views of greenery and the Salem landscape.

This temple is known for its divine ambience, traditional architecture, and devotional practices. Special poojas and festivals—especially Thaipusam and Kandha Sashti—attract large numbers of devotees from Salem and nearby districts. Many worshippers believe the temple is powerful for fulfilling prayers related to success, education, and overcoming obstacles.

Location & Basic Info:

• The temple is located in Puthiragoundampalayam, Ethapur (also spelled Yethapur) village, in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu, India.

• The address (as per the temple website/footer) is: Yethappur (Puthira Goundampalayam), Salem – 636117.

• A key highlight: the temple features a 146-foot tall statue of Lord Murugan, which is described as the tallest Murugan statue in the world as of its consecration in April 2022.

 Significance & Highlights:

• The gigantic statue: Measuring 146 ft (about 44.5 meters) in total height (including the plinth) stands prominently and has drawn national attention.

• The statue was consecrated on 6 April 2022, marking a major landmark event for the temple.

• The project was spearheaded by the Sri Muthumalai Murugar Trust under the patronage of N. Sridhar, and involved sculptor Tiruvarur Thiagarajan (the same sculptor behind the 140-ft Murugan statue in Malaysia) for crafting this monument.

• The temple thus not only serves as a devotional centre but also as a landmark of Murugan worship and modern temple architecture/monument in Tamil Nadu.

Timings & Visiting Information:

• Opening Hours: According to one source, the temple is open 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily for general darshan.

• Another source lists timings as starting around 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM for everyday visits.

• Entry: General darshan is free of charge.

• There is an optional lift / viewing access to the statue’s top for which a fee (e.g., Rs 150) is cited.

 How to Reach:

• By Road: The temple lies along the Salem-Chennai national highway (NH79/ NH-44) near Ethapur/Attur area. Many sources mention ~40 km from Salem city.

• Nearest Railway: The smaller station near Ethapur is Ettapur Road (about ~3 km) per one listing; major railway station is Salem Junction (~40 km).

• Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is Salem Airport; from there you would take road transport to the temple.

Festivals & Rituals:

• Major Festivals: The temple celebrates festivals such as Thaipusam (January-February) and Skanda Sashti (October-November) enthusiastically, as is common in Murugan temples.

• Daily Poojas & Abhishekams: The temple offers regular poojas; devotees can undertake special abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity/statue) and other services.

Why Visit:

• To witness the towering 146 ft statue of Lord Murugan — a remarkable visual and spiritual experience.

• For devotees of Lord Murugan, the temple provides a significant modern centre of worship.

• The architecture, setting and scale make it a notable landmark in the Salem region.

• Good for a day trip from Salem or nearby areas — combine with other local temples or sightseeing.

Things to Note & Tips:

• On festival days (Skanda Sashti, Thaipusam) the crowd might be heavy — plan accordingly for parking, crowd, darshan time.

• Some reviews mention that the surroundings can be commercialised / busy, so if you prefer quieter devotion try early morning.

• Facilities like parking, toilets, food stalls may be more modest compared to large city temples — carry water, plan timing.

• If you want the lift/viewing access to the top of the statue, inquire at the temple office about timing, fee and conditions.

• Dress modestly as per temple norms, and be respectful of rituals and crowd.

• Check the road/transport status if coming by vehicle especially from Salem during weekends or holidays.