Tiruchendur Murugan Temple

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Tiruchendur Murugan Temple

The famous Tiruchendur seashore temple of Lord Subramanya is situated in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) District of Tamilnadu. This shrine is believed to be most liked by Lord Subramanya or Muruga and according to Skanda puranam is second among the six shrines of Kumara or the Arupadaiveedu. Tiruchendur temple is believed to be a commemeration of Lord muruga's victory over Surapadman.

Lord Muruga is represented in various forms in the temple the presiding deity (Moolavar) being Balasubramanya or the boy Muruga. The other forms are Shanmugar (Utsavar), Jayanthinathar, and Kumaravidanga Perumal.

Nazhi Kinaru

Any visit to the temple will not be complete without visiting Nazhi Kinaru. The Nazhi Kinaru is a rare natural phenomenon where there is a 14 sq.ft well and inside this well is a small 1 sq.ft well. The water in the larger well has sulphurous smell and is brackish, but the water in the small well is clear and sweet-tasting. According to the legend Lord Shanmukha's troops were thirsty and Shanmukha planted his spear or Vel at this spot and caused fresh water to gush out from the brackish water well.

Valli Guhai (Cave)

A little removed from the main shrine is a sandstone cave dedicated to Valli, Lord Muruga's consort.

History of Tiruchendur

The magnificient temple over the course of nearly 1,000 years has grown from its original modest structure through many additions made by Pandya and Chera kings, and various benefactors.

'Tiruchendur' means a sacred and prosperous town of victory. Notably, the Gopuram or the temple tower is on the West instead of the East as is traditional due to the sea. The massive structure is nine storeys high and stands at 137 feet. The Gopuram was constructed roughly 300 years ago. The sculptures on the Gopuram chronicles interesting events. For instance, there are scenes from the life of Manikkavachakar. In the ninth storey, a huge bell was fixed by one Mr. Eden, probably the Collector of Tirunelveli from 1832 to 1839. The ringing of the bell indicated the hours of the day. The bell is now not in use because the mechanism is in disrepair.

In the 17th century AD, Tiruchendur temple was occupied by the Dutch for few years and they even looted some of the idols in the temple. Legend has it that the Arumuga Peruman idol was carried away in their ship. There was a sudden storm and the Dutch grew afraid and threw the idol into the sea. Vadamalaiyappa Pillai, an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga saw a vision of the idol's position in his dream. Immediately, he and several other devotees rushed to the spot where as foretold in the dream a lemon was floating and Garuda was flying over the spot. They dove into the sea and recovered the statue.

The temple was originally constructed on the sandstone reefs of the beach, but due to corrosion by the sea the structure began to disintegrate. In early 1900s a sannyasin, Mouna Swami took up the renovation work. This was followed by others over a course of 72 years and the three pragarams were constructed anew in black granite stone.

Pooja Kaalams (Timings) of Thiruchendur Temple

There are 9 poojas in a day

1. Suprabhâatam
2. Viswarûpam
3. Udayamaartandam
4. Mudal-Kâalasandhi, Ciru-Kâalasandhi and Periya-Kâalasandhi
5. Utchikâalam
6. Saayaratchai
7. Ardha-jaaman or Raakkaalam
8. Ekâandam
9. Palli-arai Dîpâarâdhanai or the Lord's rest

Main Utsavams (Festivals) of Tiruchendur Temple

The most famous festivals of this temple are

1. Brahmothsavam in the month of Magha (February - March).
2. Vasanthothsavam for 10 days in Chaitra (April - May).
3. Vaikasi Visakam for 12 days in Vaisakha (May - June).
4. Skandha Sashti in Asvini (October - November).

There are also two Mahotsavams celebrated in a grand fashion. The first being the Aavanipperunthirunaal in the month of Aavani (August-September) and the second being the Maasipperunthirunaal in the month of Maasi (January-February). These are 12-day festivals that happen every year during the above said periods. Lord Shanmukha is taken out in procession on select days during these two festivals.


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Soorasamharam or surasamharam festival in Tiruchendur temple begin with yaga sala pooja where lakhs of devotees across Tamil Nadu began their sashti vridham. The history behind this festival is said to be that Lord Senthilandavar killed the Demon Soorpadman with his vel and this divine act of his celebrated as Soorasamharam. On this day the devotees celebrate the victory of lord muruga and the temple authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the dharsan of lord murugan during the festival where the Tiruchendur Subramaniaswamy kills the demon on the sea shore.

According to skanda purana the demons under the guidance of surapadama defeated the devas and they took over the earth. From them they started to harassing the people, so adharma was all around. Lord Brahma, other gods and humans prayed to Lord Shiva to put an end to this Adharma. Lord shiva created lord murugan.

At last subramania swamy killed surapadma with the lance. But the demon turned into a huge mango tree. Then murugan cut the tree into two vertical pieces with his vel. The pieces were then transformed into peacock and cock. Then lord murugan made peacock as his vehicle and cock as his flag. This event is popularly called as Surasamharam.

This day has great importance at all the murugan South India Temples and also in south India, Malaysia, Singapore, south Africa and Sri Lanka. The soorasamharam festival takes place at Tiruchendur, the divine action is re-enacted on the day and it is seen by thousands of people.

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Location : Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu
Also Known as : Thirucheeralaivai, Thiruchenthil, Thiruchenthiyoor

Thiruchendur Murugan temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga and one of the Arupadaiveedu (six major abodes) of Lord Muruga. Thiruchendur is said to be second in importance among his six abodes. Thiruchendur means the sacred and prosperous town of victory.
The deity is worshipped by various names such as Senthilandavan, Senthilkumaran and so on. The temple is situated so close to the sea that waves from the Gulf of Mannar lap at the eastern perimeter wall of the temple. The Pancha Lingas that Lord Muruga worshipped are behind him in the temple. The idol of Lord Muruga is also considered as one of the most beautiful idol among the six abodes of Lord Muruga.
As one of the foremost spiritual centres, the temple has been an attraction for ages.


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ACCORDING to Skanda Puranam, Muruga was created in order to destroy the evil forces and protect His devotees. Skanda Sashti is celebrated every year in all Muruga temples. At Tiruchendur where the actual annihilation of demon Soorapadman took place, the celebrations start six days in advance and culminate in Soorasamharam. The splendidly decorated deity is taken out to the seashore to re-enact the scene and lakhs of devotees congregate to watch this rare spectacle. By adopting a routine of austerity and discipline, they prepare themselves and wait for this day to worship the Lord and receive His bountiful blessings. The grand celebrations come to an end with abhishekam performed on the Vel (lance).

According to legend, Soorapadman held Jayanthan, son of Lord Indira, and other devas as captives. Lord Muruga camped at Thiruchendur along with his contingent and deputed his messenger, Veerabahu to negotiate for the release of Devas. As the peace efforts failed, the Lord waged a war against Soorapadman. With the Vel (lance) received at Sikkal, Soora Samhaaram was accomplished at Senthil (Sikkalil Vel Vangi Sendhuril Soora Samhaaram, goes a Tamil adage). The legendary Vel, called "Vetri Vel" is associated with victory. When Soorapadman took the form of a tree, the Vel hurled by the Lord pierced it. Arunagirinathar says, even the mammoth mountain and the ocean shook in the impact. (``Malai Mavusindha Alai Velai Anja Vadi Velerindha Adhi Dheera"). The dying demon, who had become two parts at the strike of the Vel, repented and Lord Muruga, full of mercy and compassion, accepted him as His vehicle (peacock) and banner (rooster).

Located south-east of the sub-continent on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the Thiruchendur Murugan temple, built by Viswakarma, is considered one of the most important pilgrim centres of Tamil Nadu. Ranked second among the six sacred abodes of Arumugha (Aru Padai Veedu). Thiruchendur is also known as Jayanthipuram, denoting the victory achieved by the Lord. As the rays of the rising sun cast its brilliant rays on the temple tower, the presiding deity of Thiruchendur looks enchantingly beautiful. The Lord has been rightly described as Kodi Soorya Prakasa.

When Adi Sankara was afflicted with a serious ailment, he heard an ethereal voice advising him to go to Thiruchendur. The Acharya came here and received the `Prasad' wrapped in the leaf of Panneer tree. Finding himself completely cured, the sage composed Subramanya Bhujangam, containing 33 songs.

Saint Nakkeerar says in `Thiru Murugatrupadai': "All the ordeals that I face would melt the moment I mention the sacred name of Velava who resides at Senthil. These forces that arise out of past deeds (karma) cannot influence one who worships the Lord of Thiruchendur, who applies Vibhuti on his forehead and who utters the word "Skanda" ("Vandha Vinayum... ").

Arunagirinathar conveys the same idea in `Kandar Alangaram': "So long as you are beside me, so long as your six sacred faces and the 12 helping hands, the grace of your lotus feet adorned by Thandai, your broad shoulders and the Kadampa garland are there before me, how can the movement of planets affect me? ("Nal En Seyum") Perhaps in keeping with the spirit of this hymn, the shrine of planetary gods (Navagraha Sannadhi) that form part of any temple is not found here. The temple of Thiruchendur, built many centuries ago and renovated by Pandya and Chera Kings, is exquisitely designed. It is a beautiful poem created in stone and an architectural marvel.

The majestic nine-storey tower (gopuram) was constructed 350 years ago by Sri Desikamoorthy Swami of the Thiruvavaduthurai Mutt.

With its main gate facing the south, the temple has three Prakarams. The third outer prakaram borders on the sea and the main entrance to the temple is on its southern side through the famous hall called Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam. On the northern side, there is a cave temple for Valli. On entering the first prakara, one finds separate shrines for Valli and Deivanai. On the western side, there are niches for Viswanathar and Visalakshi.

Finally, the devotee finds Lord Muruga in all his splendour and glory. The Lord here appears as a youth with a single face and four hands. The Uthsava Murthi (Arumugha) with six faces and twelve hands, flanked by His consorts, faces South. This is positioned in such a way that those worshipping the Lord from the Shanmuga Vilas Mandap outside can also have a good view. Inside the temple there are eight Lingas, symbolising Panchabutha, sun, moon and Athma. It is believed that Lord Murga worshipped these Lingas after the destruction of Sooran and created a pond called Skanda Pushkarani with His Vel. Though located near the sea, the water in this well is not salty and is believed to have medicinal properties. Extensive renovation was carried out and kumbhabhishekam was performed.

It is believed that Arunagirinathar was blessed with the vision of the Lord when the saint visited Thiruchendur on the seventh day of the Brahmotsavam festival in the Tamil month of Masi. As the deity decorated was being taken out in a colourfully decorated chariot, in step with the tune of the song "Athala Sera Naarada" the Lord danced to the delight of Arunagiri. This divine experience of having seen the Lord in all His exuberance is described by the author in his song ``Thandayani Vendayam." Arunagirinathar has composed 84 songs on the Lord of Thiruchendur.

According to a story, in the 17th century, some Dutch merchants tried to take away the Arumuga idol of Thiruchendur. As they were sailing, huge waves assailed the ship forcing them to drop the idol at mid-sea. (From the book "Historic India" published by M. Rannel from Berlin in 1785).

When the officer at the Thirumalai Naickar court arranged to install another idol, a person came in his dream and asked him to look for the image at a particular spot. The idol was found and retrieved.

Sunday, April 17, 2011 by deivam P Mohanraj · 0