Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple, Besant Nagar – The
Temple
This is an east facing temple with tiered Raja gopuram.
The temple has a huge open space area with seven main shrines and few
sub-shrines. Maha Vallabha Ganapati shrine is located in the center. Swamimalai
shrine is situated at the north east, Tiruchendur shrine at the east, Pazhamudircholai
and Tiruparankundram at the south, Palani at the south west and Thiruthani in
the northwest. The temple is located very near to the seashore.
Maha Vallabha Ganapati
Shrine:
The shrine at the center of the temple has big idol
of Maha Vallabha Ganapati. He is also called as New York Vinayagar. This
Shrine is situated exactly at the back side of Senthil Andavar Shrine.
Swamimalai Shrine:
Swamimalai Shrine has Murugan named as Swaminathar.
Swaminathar is big in size. A small idol of Ganesha is found at the entrance of
this shrine. The stone idol of big Vel and the elephant vahana are found facing
towards this shrine. This shrine has Ganesha, Durga, Palani Andavan and Murugan
in two more forms as the Koshta idols.
Tiruchendur Shrine:
Tiruchendur Shrine has Murugan named as Senthil Andavan.
The flagstaff and the peacock vahana are found facing towards this shrine. The
sub-shrine of small Utsava idols of Shanmukha is also found in this temple.
This shrine has Ganesha, Durga, Palani Andavan and Murugan in two more forms as
the Koshta idols. The highlight being the beautiful view of the sea that
you get when you sit in the premises of Thiruchendur Murugan Shrine.
Pazhamudhircholai Shrine:
Pazhamudhircholai Shrine has Murugan named as Pazhamudhircholai
Swami. The peacock vahana is found facing towards this shrine. Lord
Murugan is facing North. A big Vel with the image of Murugan embedded on it is
found in this shrine. The shrine has many pillars. The pillars as well as the
walls have miniature carvings of Murugan in different forms and postures.
Tiruparankundram Shrine:
Tiruparankundram Shrine has Murugan along with Deivayanai
and Narada Rishi. Lord Murugan is facing North. The peacock vahana is found
facing towards this shrine. The sub-shrine of Sathyagirishwarar (Shiva Linga)
along with his consort and his vahana Nandi is also situated in this temple.
This shrine has Ganesha, Durga, Palani Andavan and Murugan in two more forms as
the Koshta idols.
Thiruthani Shrine:
Thiruthani Shrine has Murugan named as Subramanya.
The elephant vahana is found in front but facing the opposite direction and not
towards this shrine. This shrine has Ganesha, Durga and three images of Murugan
seated on peacock as the Koshta idols.
Palani Shrine:
Palani Shrine has Murugan named as Palani
Andavan. The peacock vahana is found facing towards this shrine. Lord
Murugan is facing west. The sub-shrine of Idumban is also situated nearby.
Other Shrines & Idols:
Some of the other shrines and idols that are found in
the temple include Ganesha under the holy tree, Navagraha and Bhairava.
Kanda Sashti Mandapam:
There is a mandapa named Kanda Sashti Mandapa situated inside
the temple premises.