The Six Holy Abodes of Lord Muruga - Arupadai Veedu - Thiruchendur !!

 
 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 
 

Vetrivel Muruganukk Ara Aro Ara !!
 
 
 
Thiruchendhur is located 40km away from Tuticorin; this temple is situated on the seashore of Bay of Bengal.The famous Tamil poet Nakkirar described this temple as second in the six holy abodes of Lord Muruga. The temple has been praised by Nakkirar in his poetic work, Saint Arunagirinathar praised the glory of Thiruchendur Murugan in his sacred work Thirumurugatrupadai and it is widely spoken in Silapathikaram and Thevaram too.
 

Presiding deity – Lord Subramanya worshipped as Sri Senthil Andavan/ Sri Senthil Kumaran / Arumughan /Balasubramanyan

 
Thiruchendhur – One of the six holy Abodes of Lord Muruga stands second in Aru Padai Veedu.

 

Pushkarani – 24 sacred Theerthams capable to remove all the sins. Vadanaramba Theertham, Skandha Pushkarani and Saravana Poikai are available for holy dip.


Vadanaramba Theertham and Skanda Pushkarani (Nazhikinar) is treated as highly auspicious.  Vadanaramba Theertham is situated opposite to Moolavar.  Lord Brahma took holy dip in this pushkarani and got back his lost head. 


 
Skanda Pushkarani is situated very close to the main sea shore in the Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam.   It is a 7ft depth well contains crystal clear water oozes from a narrow outlet.  It is believed that Lord Muruga flings his spear on the sandbed to quench the thirst of his warriors after the fierce battle.  Moovar Samadhi – Kasi Swami, Mauna Swami and Desika Murthy Swamigal Samadhi also can be seen here.


 
Saravana Poikai is the place where Lord Muruga appeared in the form of six babies in six loutses and the children were nursed by Karthikai Pengal affectionately.


 
Important festivals in this temple are Vaikasi Visagam, Avani Festival, Skandha Shashti Vizha – 6th Day Shoora Samharam and & 7th day Thirukalyanam as a concluding part, Masi, Panguni Uthiram, Thaipoosam, Markazhi utsavam, Vishu, Diwali and Pongal


 

The tall Rajagopuram with a height of 137 ft stands majestically facing on the western side.  The main entrance to the temple ‘Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam is 120ft long with the supporting pillars made of granite. A magnificent copper plated Dwajasthamba stands on the eastern side in the middle of first Praharam.  Opposite to the dwajasthamba there is a small manhole, through this one can see the gigantic sea waves and also able to listen the Pranava Manthra ‘OM’.


 

The first Praharam enshrines Kumara Vidanga Peruman – Ucchava Murthy,    63 Nayanmar, Thogai Adiyar and Lord Dakshinamurthy on the right.  The next three pillars are bedecked with the sculptures of Kasi Swami, Mauna Swami, Desika Murthy Swamigal who were selflessly devoted their life in the service of Lord Muruga.  There are Shrines of Valliamman made of marble, Sankara Narayanar, Visalakshmy Amman, Vedapurishwarar, Vatha Purishwarar and Eakambaranathar.  In the northern side situated the shrine of Lord Chandrasekharar and Lord Natarajar with Sivakami in the presence of Karaikkal Ammayar who was musing at the Ananda Thandavam of the Lord, Lord Saneeshwarar and Kala Bhairavar. A splendid golden Dwajasthamba also positioned here.   


 
In the second praharam situated the Idol of Lord Dakshinamurthy, 108 Lingas, Shoora Samhara Murthy, Saint Arunagirinathar, Mel Vasa Vinayagar, Perumal, Sri Raganathar & Goddess Gajalakshmi along with Thayars – Sridevi, Boodevi, Neeladevi Nachiyar and 12 Alwars.  Yaga sala also can be seen on this praharam, during Skandha Shashti Vizha Yagas are performed to gratify the Lord.


 
In the sanctum sanctorum the presiding deity of the temple Lord Balasubramanyan and Lord Arumugha with His celestial vehicle peacock in front can be seen.  On the wall behind the Moolavar, there is Jagannatha Lingam and Lord Nandikeshwara also can be seen with the Peacock.  Pancha Lingam also can be seen in the Maha Mandapam with a manhole on the wall behind the lingas. It is believed that the deities worship Lord through this hole. The idol of Goddess Parvati, Manicka Vinayagar, Lord Virabahu and Lord Viramahendrar also can be seen here.   On the outer wall of the praharam the image of Lord Arumugha is beautifully carved with 6 faces and tweleve arms holding the lethal weapons, elegantly posing with Sri Devayanai on his left and Sri Valli on right.  Processional deity – Jayanthi Nathar with his Nachiyars and Chandralingam also can be seen here.



Skandha Puranam describes the Birth of Lord Muruga.  The demon Surapadman underwent severe penance praying to Lord Shiva.  The most pleased Lord offered several boons to Surapadman.  Immediately after receiving the extra – ordinary powers he started to harass the sages and deities.  He conquered the three worlds and the deities lost their power and glories.  They approached Lord Brahma and sought for help.  It was clear that the son of Lord Shiva only possibly will kill the demon Surapadman.  On the other hand Lord Shiva was under deep meditation.   Lord Kamadeva played his tricks and thus Lord Shiva got out of his meditation.  The most infuriated Lord turned Lord Kamadeva into ashes instantly.


 
Lord Shiva opened his third eye and let out the powerful spark of fire and it was carried by Lord Vayu and Lord Agni and deposited into river Ganges. River Ganges safely dropped them into Saravana Poigai.    The powerful spark of fire turned into six babies in six Lotuses in Saravana Poigai.  The Karthikai Pengal got attracted towards the babies and they rushed to nurse them with much compassion.  Goddess Parvati arrived at Saravana Poigai and saw the six divine babies, in a moment she affectionately hugged all the six babies together and the 6 babies turned into one with 6 faces, 12 eyes and 12 hands.  Thus, Lord Muruga got the sacred name ‘Arumughan’.


 
Lord Veerabhahu and lakhs of warriors were originated from the anklets of Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva produced eleven Rudras and they turned to 11 powerful arms.  Lord Muruga got the divine spear blessed by Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.


 
Lord Muruga arrived at Thiruchendhur with his mighty warriors in order to initiate the war with the demon Surapadman.  The fierce battle with the demon Surapadman continued for several days.  Finally, Lord beheaded the demon and provided salvation to Surapadman, transformed into Peacock and cock.  The peacock was used as his celestial vehicle and cock was positioned in his flag.  All the deities worshipped Lord Muruga at the victory over the evil Surapadman.  In turn Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of Linga in this temple.



This temple  remains open from morning 5.00 AM to 12.PM and 3.00 PM to 9.00PM in the evening.


Vetrivel Muruganukk Ara Aro Ara !!
 
 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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