Subramanya Swamy Temple, Kundrathur – The Temple
This is a small hill temple
for Lord Subramaniar with his two consorts built by King Kulothunga Chola – II.
There are 84 steps to reach this hill temple. As the
place has a hill (Kundru in Tamil), it is named Kundrathur. Lord
Valanchuzhi Vinayaka graces in a shrine on the hill route. The temple has a three-tiered
Rajagopuram. The flag staff, Balipeedam and Peacock Vehicle can be found in
front of the sanctum.
This
place is also known as South Thanigai since Lord Subramaniar is sitting in the
direction of north facing Thanigai and this is the only Murugan temple in Tamilnadu
where the God is facing north. The design of the sanctum sanctorum is
noteworthy. The devotee can see Lord alone if he/she is just in
front of the shrine. If the devotee looks at the shrine either from
the left or right of the shrine, he/she can have darshan of the Lord either
with Mother Valli or Mother Deivanai.
The Dwarapalakas (securities)
at the entrance hold the weapons Vajram and trident. Lord Vishnu, Lord
Dakshinamurthy and Mother Durga grace on the sanctum walls of Lord Muruga
shrine. There is an east facing shrine of Utsava idols of Subramanya and
his two consorts in Ardha Mandapam. There is a shrine for Shiva Linga and
Ganesha in Maha Mandapam. Lord Kasi Viswanatha, Mother Visalakshi, Lord Vilva Vinayaka,
Bhairava, Navagrahas and Nagar (serpent deities) shrines are in the prakara.
Lord Shiva, worshipped by
Subramanya graces in the name of Kandaleeswarar in a separate shrine. Theertham
associated with this Temple is Saravana Poigai. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa. This
is also the birth place of Sekkizhar, the author of Peria Puranam. There
is a temple for the saint at the foot hills. During Sekkizhar Guru Puja,
Lord comes down from the hill temple to grace darshan to Sekkizhar in the foothill
temple.
