Kumarakottam Temple, Kanchipuram
The Kumarakottam
Temple is a Hindu
temple in Kanchipuram, India. It is dedicated to Murugan, the Hindu war god and the son of the god Shiva and his wife Parvati. The temple is also known as the Subramanyam Swamy
Temple. The ancient temple was rebuilt in its present form in 1915. This Temple
is located in Kanchipuram, one of India's seven "moksha-puris"
or sacred cities where salvation may be obtained.
It is
just half a kilometer to the northwest of the bus stand, on the west Raja
Street at the north end of which is the Sankara Matham and at the south end is
the Kachabeswarar Temple. A noteworthy feature is that all the deities of Kanchipuram,
when they come out in procession during festivals pass before Kumara Kottam
Temple invariably. Arunagirinathar, who authored the 'Thirupugazh' in praise of Lord
Muruga, has composed the Thirupugazh song 'Arivilappittar' eulogizing Lord
Muruga presiding over this temple.
The
location of the Kumara Kottam Temple between Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi
Amman Temple reminds devotees of the Somaskanda form in which Muruga sits in between Parvati and
Parameswara. The clean upkeep of this temple and the devout pujas performed by
the priests are commendable features. The picturesque paintings on the walls of
the temple in the inner periphery around the sanctum area rare treat to the
eyes of devotees.
The
Subramanyar here was worshipped by Sage Agasthiar. Though this is a Murugan
temple, Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar with Abitha Kuchalambal
and Sarabeswarar (in a pillar) are also present. Kanda Puranam in praise
of Lord Muruga was composed by the saintly scholar Kachiappa Sivachariyar
in Kandapuranam Mandapam located in this Temple.
Kumara
Kottam temple has a separate shrine for Lord Vishnu called as Urugum Ulla
Perumal. Six worship services are carried out each day here. The annual
festival is celebrated here in the month of Vaikasi (as with the Varadaraja
perumal temple in Chinna Kanchi)
and Skanda Sashti in the Tamil month of Aippasi.
Location
The
Kumarakottam temple is located on the main Raja Street. It is said to form a
cluster with Ekambareswarar Temple and the Kamakshi Amman Temple but each temple has its own liturgical identity. The
Murugan temple is located between the temples of his parents – the
Ekambareswarar Temple dedicated to Shiva & the Kamakshi Amman Temple dedicated to Kamakshi, an aspect of Parvati. Symbolically, this setting
represents the iconography of Somaskanda, an aspect of Shiva where he is depicted with Murugan
and Parvati. The child Murugan is depicted seated between his parents. This
representation led to the cult of Somaskanda. All temples in Kanchipuram are
stated to belong to one extended family.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
The
Tamil version of Skanda Purana (the story of Lord Subramanya/ Murugan, the son
of Lord Shiva) was composed by the saint scholar Kachiappa Sivachariyar in this
temple. Another highlight of the temple is that the famous 'Thirupugazh' was
composed by Arunagirinathar in praise of Lord Murugan in this temple. The
temple belongs to Chola period.
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple is open from 7.00 am to 12.00 noon - 3.30 pm to 8.00 pm.
Pooja
Timings
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Festivals
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Religious
Significance
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Kandapuranam
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Contact
Arulmigu
Subramaniya Swami Temple,
Merku
Raja Street,
Kanchipuram-631502
Phone: 044 - 27222049.
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;
