The Maraghathambigai Chandrachoodeshwarar temple (Hosur Shiva Temple) is situated at the top of the hill in Hosur City of Tamil nadu (Near Bangalore around 39 kms - On the Border of Karnataka).
It is one of the oldest and famous temples in Dharmapuri district. This temple was maintained by Tamil kings, and kings of Karnataka.
Padmagiri Mahathmiyam, a part in Bramanda puranam expresses the popularity of Hosur. This was compiled and translated in Telugu by Pandit Sangeveda BaskaraSadhush Sharma in the form of slokas.
An angel was hurt by an asura (demon) and she decided to take Tapas in Dhatchinapinakini river bed. Because of her Tapas Lord Siva gave darshan to her and she asked sivaperuman's vahanam (Nandhi) as her figure. Lord Siva gave the boon and the angel got Nandhi's figure. In memory of this incident, the angel wanted Lord Siva to build a temple permanently in the hill. Sivaperuman accepted her wish and he got the temple in the hill. This hill looks like Nandhi when it was seen in long shot. The temple has many names because it has the shape of Rishabam so it is called as Virushapasalam, Shenbagasalam, (the area is fully covered by shenbaga trees), Bathrasalam, Bathragiri,etc. There are 8 theerthas which adds famous to this temple. They are Maraghatham, Shambavam, Macham, Ramar, Pandavar, Sivagangai, Hanuman, Vishnu. MaraghathaSarovar is called as Green River which is present below the hill. During Posalavara Vishwanathan period 127 gold coins were given to this temple. This area was ruled out by Oaislar(Posalar) because of this reason it is now called as Hosur.
Inside this temple Surya, Chandra, Gajalakshmi, Kasi Vishwanatha, Ganesha, Panchalingams statues are also present. In a separate shrine Parvathi gives darshan to people in the name of Maraghathambal. At the entrance a small Linga is present by name "Jalakandeswarar". During the dry season, this shrine is filled by water and pooja's were conducted to get the rain and people have belief in this. Now this temple is under the maintenance of Tamilnadu Government. In this temple, thrice a day poojas are conducted. Monday and Friday is considered as special days in this temple. During the Tamil Masi month, 13 days Rathorsavam are being held. Sashti, Pradhosham, Ruthrabishekam are considered as special events in this temple.
