Tamilnadu Tourism: Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, Thoothukudi

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, Thoothukudi

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga situated in Tamilnadu, India. The puranic name or historical name for this temple is jayanthipuram. It is also one of the Aru Padaiveedu (six major abodes) or six sacred temples of Kaumaram religion. It is the only one among the six sacred temple complexes to be situated near the sea shore. Other five are situated in mountain region.

It is one of the largest temple complexes (by area) of India and it is one of the most visited temple complex in India (devotees from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, England, Australia). It is the only temple in Tamil Nadu which has a separate bus terminal. The Sannathi Street of this temple is the longest of its kind among the temples of Tamil Nadu.

This is the only temple where Raja gopura is situated in western gate. This temple is the largest temple among all the temples built by saints. This temple is not constructed by Kings; it is built by three holy saints. It is one of the richest temples (by wealth) of Tamilnadu. This temple is the fourth Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu to get ISO certification.

This is the only temple in Tamil Nadu where sanctum sanctorum is below the ground level. The 133 feet Rajagopuram, built in the shores of Bay of Bengal, very near to the sea, just within 200 meters is still a mystery and an outstanding example for the Tamil temple architecture and an example for extreme civil engineering of Ancient Tamils.

Thiruchendur Murugan temple is known as the second Arupadai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga won the battle with the Asura, Surapadma and worshipped Lord Shiva in this sacred place. The temple is situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal. Normally, the Raja Gopuram will be in the eastern side of temples in Tamil Nadu. But in Thiruchendur alone the Raja Gopuram is in the western side.

It is said that the Raja Gopuram was not erected on the eastern side since the sea is very close in the eastern side. Mela Gopuram has nine storeys and it is about 137 feet high above Yali mattam, 90 feet long north to south and 65 feet broad east to west. At the top of the Gopuram the width is 20 feet and the length is 49 feet. To indicate that the Gopuram consists of 9 storeys there are nine Kalasams (sacred copper pots) at the top of the Gopuram.

It is situated in the Thiruchendur taluk of the Tirunelveli District. The distance from Madras is about 443 miles. The temple is on the shore of the Gulf of Mannar. The surging cool tides of the sea wash the foot of the temple. There is no other shrine in Tamil Nadu with such a beautiful natural setting. The Gulf of Mannar is shallow and is safe for sea bath.

Before entering the temple pilgrims either wash their feet or take a bath in the sea. Temple contains nine Theerthams according to the Sthalapuranam. A bath in any of these Theerthams is believed to confer miraculous benefits on a devotee.

It is said that once, when Brahma lost one of his five heads due to the anger of Siva, he came to this Teertha, took a holy dip in it and had his head restored. Similarly one Anga sundari, a Pandyan princess born with the face of a horse, was blessed with a beautiful face after a bath at Vathanarambha Teertham.

Location

It is located in the eastern end of the town Thiruchendur in the district of Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, India. It is 60 km south-east of Tirunelveli, 40 km from Tuticorin and 75 km north-east of Kanyakumari. The temple complex is on the shores of Bay of Bengal. The terrain is partially a sandal mountain and sea shore.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-legends.html

Temple Speciality

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-temple.html

History

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-history.html

Greatness of Temple

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-greatness.html

Greatness of Thiruchendur Vibhuti Leaves

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-greatness_29.html

Temple Architecture

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-temple.html

Major deities

· Sri Muruga Perumal (Main god-Moolavar)

· Sri Shanmuga (Primary substitute-Urchavar)

· Panchalingam (Worshipped by Lord Murugan)

· Jayantinathar (Who killed demon Surapadma)

· Kumaravidanga Peruman (Who is going to archery)

· Sri Valliamman (Companion of Muruga)

· Sri Devasena (Companion of Muruga)

· Sri Dakshina Moorthy (God of knowledge)

· Sri Mahalingeswarar (Equivalent to thousand Lingas)

· Sri Venkateshwara (Uncle of Lord Muruga)

· Aandal (Aunty of Lord Muruga)

· Sri Vallabhai Vinayaga (Brother of Lord Muruga)

· Sri Sathru Samhara Moorthy (Who destroys enemies)

· Sri Sandikeswarar (Protector of temple wealth)

· Sri Saneeswara

· Sri Bairava (Kaala Bhairava Moorthi - Sign of Lord Shiva)

· Sri Nataraja (Dancing pose of Lord Shiva)

· Sri Thoondukai Vinayaka (Elder brother of Muruga)

· Sri Anjaneya

· Sri Dharma Sastha(Brother of Muruga)

· Sri Idumba (Devotee of Lord Muruga)

Inscriptions

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-inscriptions.html

Theerthams

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-theerthams.html

Subsidiary Temples

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-subsidiary_33.html

Poojas & Timings

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-poojas.html

Festivals

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-festivals.html

Prayers

Those who face impediments for their marriage pray to this Lord; they are blessed with good wedlock. We can conduct abishekam to the Lord and His Spouse and offer new clothes.

Worship & Rituals

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-worship.html

Literary Mention

Kumaraguruparar Swamigal’s Kandar Kalivenba:

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http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/thiruchendur-murugan-temple_29.html

Nakkirar’s Tirumugattrupadai:

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/thiruchendur-murugan-temple-nakkirars.html

Adi Sankaracharya's Subrahmanya Bhujanga:

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