About the Thiruchedur Murugan Temple

The Tiruchendur Murugan Temple is located in the town of Tiruchendur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanya or Kartikeya, one deity revered as the deity of war, victory, and wisdom in Hindu mythology.

This is the only Lord Murugan temple of the 6 major abodes of Aarupadaiveedu of Murugan located on a seashore, other 5 are located on a hillock.

It took 72 years to build the temple over 2000 years ago, it is also famous as the 2nd of the Aarupadaiveedu of Lord Murugan temples.

The temple has a lofty gopuram of 157 feet with 9 floors built over a  sandstone cliff facing the Bay Of Bengal.

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple Timings

List of Poojas in the Murugan temple of Thiruchedur

History of Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

The temple records several inscriptions that date back to 875 AD, hence the temple is known to have come into existence since then.

It was during the times of Pallavas time the temple came into existence, also dynasties like Pandyas and Cheras who ruled Tiruchendur renovated the temple.

In 1649’s Dutch attack on the Portuguese colonies of Tuticorin, the governing authority ordered to fortify the temple and used it as a garrison.

The Dutch pirates looted this temple during their invasion in the 17th century, the temple was broken, and all the granite structures, murtis, and holy belongings were stolen.

While they were returning to the ship, they witnessed heavy storm and rain, they tied the Lord Murugan idol to a rope and dropped it in the sea.

The thunderstorm and high tides stopped immediately!

The devotees of Lord Murugan were in miserable condition to witness the loss of the temple valuables and deity Arumugha Nayanar’s murti.

Senthilandavan appeared in the dream of Vadamaliyappa Pillai, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga.

He told that Lord’s murti was lying in the sea, and immediately Vadamalaiappa Pillai rushed to the spot with some locals where lemon was floating and Garuda was flying over the spot.

They deep-dived into the spot and took the idol out.

This incident took place on Friday 29th Thai in the Kollam year 829. ie. 1653 A.D. and is embarked in the temple’s inscriptions.

Legend of the Temple

Once Devas in heaven were accustomed to facing unfortunate miseries caused by 3 asura brothers, Surapadman, Singamukha, and Taraka.

The devas went to Lord Shiva for help from the assault and havoc created by asuras.

Lord Shiva agreed to help them and sent out 6 sparking balls of fire from his third eye.

The Fire God Agni received the sparks and sent them first to the river Ganges and then to the Himalayas to Lake Saravan Poigai.

These fireball sparks assumed the form of 6 divine babies sitting n a Lotus flower.

They were nourished well by Krithika nymphs. Later Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati appeared at the river Saravana Poigai.

Maa Parvati embraced the babies and they transformed into one divine form with six heads and 12 arms, hence they were called Shanmukha or Aarumukha.

Here Aarumukha refers to 6 faces, Aarumghai Murugan then became the redeemer of the devas.

In course of time, he was appointed as the leader of the Devas and Subramanya  received the precious VEL ( meaning Spear) from his mother Maa Parvati.

He then destroyed Singamukhaasura and Taarakaasura demons in a battle and destroyed Krounchagiri, the abode of the Asuras.

Another Legend says that Surapadman had his fort in the middle of the ocean, the fort was named “Veera Mahendrapuram”.

Lord Murugan, Brihastipa, and the devas came to the shores of Tiruchendur to conquer Surupadman.

Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, built a murti for Lord Shiva on the sandstone hillock to pay the way for Muruga to conduct poojas.

He also ordered his wingman Veeravahu to Surapadman to seek his surrender.

Unfortunately Surupadman claimed a fight a battle with his asura shakti.

The demonic creatures assumed the form of a huge mango tree, but the lord didnt let him go.

He pierced it with his spear(VEL) and it the tree got sliced into two halves.

One portion of the tree morphed into a cock and the other turned into a peacock.

Even in this abbreviation form, the Asura was still fighting.

The battle finally ended with a miserable Surapadman seeking the Lord’s mercy.

Lord Murugan gave the demon Viswaroopa darshan and made the peacock as his permanent weapon and the cock his banner.

This divine victory is always commemorated as a six-day Skanda Shasti festival in Tiruchendur and several other Subramanya temples.

On the last day of Surasamhara, the final act of killing Surapadman is imposed.

Thousands of devotees gathered at this temple to witness the meticulous event.

Architecture of the Thiruchendur Temple

The temple was built in the 17th century in the South Indian Dravidian style of architecture.

A vivacious mandapam forms the main entrance of the temple and encloses 124 pillars which is an attractive feature.

The primary gate of the temple is facing south and opens into the first temple praharam.

It is called Sivili Mandapam

Towards the foremost Gopuram on the west side stands the outer side of the doorway, beholding a 140 feet tall entrance tower.

This exemplifies the fact that it is the largest temple mandapam in South India.

The temple also houses nine kalashas( holy copper pots) o top of the Gopuram as an indication that the Gopuram consists of 9 storeys.

There is also a giant murti of Lord Ganesha to welcome the devotees at the entrance.

The murti of Lord Venkatesha depicts the 12 alwars , Pallikonda Ranganathar, Sridevi, Bhudevi, Gajalakshmi, and Neeladevi deities.

Interesting facts of Lord Murugan Temple in Thiruchendur

1. Lord Murugan established a well-called Nali Kinaru with his spear to curb the thirst of his followers during his battle with Surapadman and other demons.
2. According to ancient inscriptions this is the only Hindu Lord Murugan temple where Raja Gopuram is placed at the west gate and not towards the east.
3. The Raja Gopuram is taller than the pedestal of Lord Murugan and is is always covered, this will open during the “Skanda Shashti”.
4. During the 2004 Tsunami disaster, Tiruchendur town was badly hit and washed away the entire Indian Subcontinent shores but the temple remained untouched.
5. Lord Murugan inherited the title of “ Jeyanthi Naathar” for wining the battle with Surapadman. It was eventually changed to “Senthil Naathar” over time.
6. Due to this event the place which was known as “ Tirujeyenthipuram” became “Thiruchendur”

Deities in the Temple

Along with the temple’s main deity Lord Murugan, the temple houses several deities.

• • Lord Vinayaka – A small temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha called “ Thundugai Vinayagar temple located in the first praharam.
  • 108 Shivalingam– Towards the west side of the main praharam is a congregation of 108 shivalingas called 108 Mahadevars.

• Arunagirinathar- A poet or author who has contributed spiritually to the temple, a murti has been kept in his remembrance

• Vallappa Vinayagar- Towards the north side a tall murti of Lord Vinayagar is placed as a ward of evil eyes

• Perumal Mahavishnu Sannidhi- Towards the northwest is placed one of the Trimurti Lord Mahavishnu’s murti.

• • Lord Rathanghar- There is a sleeping statue of lord Rathnaghar made from Santhanasala rock
  • Gajalakshmi- Consort of Lord Rathnaghar is goddess Mahalakshmi’s as Gajalakshmi is by his side
  • A copper Kodi Malam– A holy flag post(Dwaja Sthambam) along with Shri Kalyana Vinaayaghar statue is also present in the southern side of the first praharam
  • Veera Marthanda and Virakesari idol are kept in the entrance of the 2nd Praharam
  • The Kumaravdanga Peruman deity is kept  towards the east of the 2nd prahara entrance
  • Lord Dakshina murti is placed in the southwest corner along with the sannidhi of Goddess Valliammai Devi.
  • A huge bedroom devoted to this deity is present in the same vicinity called Palli Arai.
  • Lord Balasubramanian, a replica of Lord Murugan is placed in the 2nd praharams main sanctum facing Yaga Salai, where all the Yaga Pujas are done.
  • Devayani and Valli Goddesses are the consorts of Lord Murugan, they are placed in a special sannidhi near the main idol of Murugan.
  • Lord Shankara, Narayana, Mayuranathar are present towards the facing north and Lord Chandeswarar is located facing south in the 2nd praharam
  • There is a separate sannidhi for Nataraja(Dancing form of Lord Shiva) and Lord Baihravar.

• Lord Saneewswara and Sri Anjayenya Swamigal is found in the south near Golden Kodi Maram.

• • In the Inner chamber of the main praharam goddess Parvati devi and Kariya Manickavinayaghar are found facing east .

• Lord Virabahu and Vira Mahendrakar are present at the entrance of the sanctum on both the sides.

• After defeating the demonic creature Surapadman, Lord Murugan prayed to Mahadeva and created 5 lingas to offer poojas everyday.
• In this exact place today you can see 5 lingam carved on a single stone.

The unique feature of Lord Murugan murti in this temple is that it is carved from a single black granite.

Pancha Lingas surround the Lord Murugan deity behind him, this divine feature of this temple is seen nowhere else in the world.

Festivals are celebrated in the Murugan temple

• Aikasi Visagam- In the month of May to June, witnessed by nearly 2 lakhs of devotees, this festival leads with the procession of Sri Jayanthinathar with Valli and Devayani.

The festival is celebrated at night time.

• Avani- The festival is celebrated from August to September months for 11 consequent days: on the 7th day it is the Sikappu Sathi festival, 8th day is the Pachaai Sathi festival.

On the 10th day, there is Theru(car) festival and the 11th day is concluded by the float Mandagapadi festival.

• Skanda Sasti festival- This festival is celebrated with more than 5 lakh participants for 7 days in the month of October to November.

On these days devotees perform fasting, and on the last day Surasamharam is conducted.

On the 7th day Thirukkalayanam to Devayanai is celebrated in a grand celebration.

• Masi- This is a 12 days celebration during the month of February to March

The event is celebrated with more than 3 lakh people, and the celebrations are similar to the the Avani festival.

During these festivals, devotees who have taken a vow to present their offerings to Lord Murugan accompany with themselves Kavadi, Palkudam, and offer abhishekam etc to the deity.

These festivals end on a long golden chariot procession with Chandana labanam, Dharabhishekam, and Dharahomam are offered to the deity by the devotees.

How to book pooja and other seva services

This is the official website related to the temple, devotees can book pooja/other seva services by visiting the temple website for more information.

How to reach the Lord Murugan Temple of Thiruchendur

1. By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is in Tuticorin which is 40 km  and the other nearest option is Chennai airport which is 685 km.
2. By Train: The nearest railway station to the temple is Thiruchendur railway station located just 2 km from the temple and is connected with a good number of trains to major nearby cities.
3. By Road: Several local and government bus facilities are present and connected by major cities like Chennai, Tirunelveli, Pondicherry, Bengaluru, Kochin, and Hyderabad.

Budget Accommodation Nearby Lord Murugan Temple of Thiruchendur

1. Chakravarthi inn
2. Aranmagan residency
3. Hari Iyer residency
4. Hotel Mani Iyer
5. Hotel Udhayama International