The renovated ghat road that leads to Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy temple at Chennimalai in Erode district in Tamil Nadu
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday (October 13, 2025) inaugurated, through video conferencing, various development works worth ₹8.27 crore at Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple, Chennimalai.
The projects include the renovation of the 3.9-km hill road at a cost of ₹6.70 crore, construction of a bus waiting shelter at ₹64 lakh, and a pasumadam at ₹93 lakh. Minister for Tamil Development, Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan, Collector S. Kandasamy, Erode MP K.E. Prakash, Modakkurichi MLA C. Saraswathi and other officials were present.
A proposal to build the hill road was first made in 1961, making Chennimalai the first temple hill in Tamil Nadu to have such access. Work began on February 15, 1963, with a mud road laid initially. Cars were allowed from February 1964, and the road was formally inaugurated in August that year. Since then, all maintenance, including tar-topping and construction of retaining walls, has been undertaken by the temple administration.
In his 2023-24 Assembly announcement, the Chief Minister had promised renovation of the hill road using temple funds. The road has now been upgraded and widened from four to six metres within the 27-foot stretch allotted by the Forest Department.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated, via video conferencing, the newly completed bus waiting shelter and guest house for devotees. The temple has 1,320 steps and a 3.9-km motorable road to the hill shrine, with two buses operated by the temple for devotees’ convenience.
About 10,000 devotees visit the temple every Tuesday, and around 5,000 on new moon and other auspicious days. The temple attracts major crowds during Chithirai 1 (20,000 devotees), Vaikasi Visakam (7,000), Aadi Amavasai (25,000), Kandha Sashti Soorasamharam (20,000), Thai Poosam car festival (one lakh), and Panguni Uthiram car festival (20,000). Officials said the renovated road would greatly benefit the growing number of devotees visiting the temple.
Published – October 13, 2025 05:25 pm IST
