Thiruchendur Murugan Temple – Surasamhara Stucco
Next in order, in the pillared corridor, is a sanctum
with a large monolithic figure of Subrahmanya seated on a peacock and engaged
in war with the asuras. It is followed by another representation in stucco of Surapadma
himself. He is seen pierced through by the Vel. A fierce chanticleer is seen
flying above.
The frightful mango tree into which he transformed is
broken in twain, and Subrahmaniyam himself is seen seated on the peacock. The
whole is of beautiful imagery and workmanship and highly realistic.
Śiva Lingas follows then at intervals, Saint Arunagirinathar
coming as the last of the series. It is significant that the figure of the
author of Thirupugazh is given a sanctum and almost canonized here in this
famous shrine.
At the centre of this prakaram, there is the western
portal the Mela-gopura-vasal of the temple. It is on a higher level reached by
a flight of 27 steps from within. On the outer side of this doorway is the
principal western gopuram of the temple.
Facing this doorway on the prakaram is a shrine to the
colossal Mela Vasal Vinayagar. He is known also as Muk-kurinip-Pillaiyar.
