Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Murugan(Lord Subramanya Swamy). The temple was earlier known as “Tiruchiralaivai.” This is the second place of “Arupadai Veedu” of Lord Murugan.

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Temple History

The devas appealed to Lord Shiva to destroy Surapadmana(Asura) who had disturbed them. Shiva, in response to their request, made six sparks out of his forehead. From it appeared Lord Murugan. Then, accepting the order of Lord Shiva, he came here to destroy Surapadmana.

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

Then, Murugan went with his forces and killed him. Guru Bhagavan(Brihaspati) prayed to Lord Murugan to bless him from the place where he was seen. Murugan also stayed here on request. Later, Guru Bhagavan took Vishwakarma and built a temple here. Murugan was nicknamed “Jeyanthinathar” because he conquered Surapadmana(Asuran). Jeyanthi means Victory.

Official Tiruchendur Online Booking

Click Here — Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur — 628215, Thoothukudi District

Pancha linga Darshan

Here is the Panchalinga shrine to the right and back of the Murugan shrine. It is said that Lord Murugan established and worshiped this Panchalinga after his conquest of Surapadmana(Asuran).

It is said that the Devas come to visit the Lord in the Tamil month of “Markazhi.” Here is Nandi to Lord Shiva and Deva peacocks to Lord Murugan. The Panchalinga shrine can be worshiped only on weekdays. Not allowed to visit on crowded days.

Murugan Temple Rajagopuram

Tiruchendur RajaGopuram

The Rajagopuram is located on the west side of the Lord Murugan Shrine in Thiruchendur. The tower is 137 feet high and has 9 stories. Here Lord Murugan is facing east as he sees the sea.

The main tower should be facing Swami, i.e. facing east. But, the tower is built in the west because of the sea in the area. The gate of the tower is always closed as it is higher than the pedestal of Lord Murugan’s Shrine. The gate will be opened only for one day at midnight during the Murugan Tirukkalyanam(Marriage) at the Kanda Sashti Festival. Devotees are not allowed inside at that time.

Valli Cave

Valli Cave is located on the roundabout outside after visiting Lord Murugan. This cave is an important place to visit.

Regular Pujas

There are 9 daily pujas for Lord Murugan in Thiruchendur. During these pujas, various treats such as small lentil Pongal, Porridge, Dosa, Bread, Ghee Rice, Pickles, Sugar-mixed Pori, Adhirasam, Honeycomb, Bread, Boiled mustard seeds and Jaggery are made.

After the daily “Uchikala Puja” of Ganga Puja, they take milk and rice in a bowl and go to the drum and rhythm and dissolve it in the sea. This is called ‘Ganga Puja’. During the Saravanapoikai here, a sculpture of Lord Murugan with six children in six lotus flowers with Karthika women in the middle is carved.

After the daily “Uchchikala Puja” of Ganga Puja, they take milk and rice in a bowl and go with the drum and rhythm and dissolve them in the sea. This is called ‘Ganga Puja’. In Saravanapoikai, there is a sculpture of Lord Murugan with six children in six lotus flowers with Krittika women.

Kanda Sashti Festival

Lord Murugan(Lord Subramanya Swamy) conquered Surapadmana on the Sashti day of the Tamil month of “Ippasi.” This day is celebrated as Kanda Sashti Festival. The event took place at all Murugan temples. But, the Kandasashti festival is celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.

Why celebrate Kandasashti? The Mahabharata and the Kandapurana state that there are two other reasons for the celebration of Kanda Sashti, apart from the death of Surapadmana(Asuran).

Once upon a time some sages performed a Yajna for the sake of a son for the good of the world. The Yajna began on the new moon of the Tamil month of Ippasi and lasted for six days. From the fire that arose in the Yaga Kund, six seeds were collected at the rate of one seed per day. On the sixth day to unite the seeds, Lord Murugan appeared. Thus, the Mahabharata says that the day on which Murugan appeared was Kandasashti.

In the Kandapurana, Kachiyappa Sivacharya awoke Murugan in Kumbha and fasted for six days in the month of Ippasi for the gods to gain the power to resist the demons and seek his grace. Murugan also blessed them. To commemorate the month of Ippasi Kandasashti is celebrated the next day of the new moon.

Pride of Lord Murugan – Tsunami not Affected

By the grace of Lord Murugan the devotees were safe from any damage by the tsunami. Although the surrounding areas were affected by the tsunami, Thiruchendur was not affected by the tsunami.

At 8 am, the sea level rose to about 25 feet in the sea near the temple. This condition lasted for about 1 hour. Then reached the old position again. There were thousands of devotees in Thiruchendur as the Vaikasi Visakha festival was held on that day. Panic ensued among the devotees as they watched the sea recede.

According to the devotees says that the tsunami wave attacked many places, not only Thiruchendur. It is said to be the grace of Lord Murugan.