Kundrathur Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is located in Kancheepuram, which is a place near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The place holds significance because it is a belief that Lord Muruga resided here during his travel from Tiruporur to Tiruttanigai.
South Thanigai is another name for this place since Lord Muruga is standing facing the direction of north, facing Thanigai. Since the place is constructed on a hill, which means Kundru in Tamil, it is named Kundrathur.
The Kundrathur Murugan Temple is also well-known for a Tamil sage Sekkizhar who was born in this place. There is a small temple as well dedicated to the sage at the foothill of Kundrathur.
The Architecture Defined
The temple is the only one where Lord Muruga is facing the North direction. Another specialty of the temple is that Lord Muruga can be seen with only one of his consorts at a time. This is built in a way that from one side, people can view Lord Muruga only with Goddess Valli, and the other side offers the view of Lord Muruga with Goddess Deivayanai.
The history of the temple takes us to the Chola dynasty, where it was first constructed by King Kulothunga Chola II. The temple is located on a hill that devotees can reach after climbing the 84 steps given. The sanctum sanctorum is admirable, and if devotees stand in the center, they can only view the icon of Lord Muruga; however, if they look at the shrine from left or right, they can see Muruga’s consorts Mother Valli and Mother Deivanai, one at a time.
The securities at the entrance can be seen holding the weapons Vajram and trident. Skanda Sashti is the most celebrated festivity here, which depicts the fight of Lord Muruga against the demon Surapanma and his destruction. This festival also depicts the marriage of Lord Muruga and Valli on the seventh day. Later on the 8th day, it portrays the marriage of Lord Muruga and Deivanai.
The Legend
In the Purana stories, it is mentioned that an Asura called Tharagasuran was troubling the Devas in heaven. It was Lord Muruga’s duty to fight the demon and establish peace again since he is the God of War created to maintain harmony in heaven against all demonic powers.
Lord Muruga fought with the demon at Thiruporur and destroyed him. After such an intense war, Lord Muruga needed some peace, and then he decided to go to Thiruthani to calm himself. But on his way, he saw a small hillock and stayed there for a few days.
He then placed a Shiva Linga in the place and performed Puja, and meditated there. Based on the belief of the people, a temple was then constructed there during the Chola dynasty by the great Chola King Kulothunga Chola. Lord Shiva, who was worshiped by Lord Muruga, provide darshan to the devotees in a separate shrine and known as Kandaleeswarar.
The majority of the devotees come here to pray for their harmonious marital life or to remove obstacles from their path of marriage. Also, those who don’t have a child come here to pray. Once they give birth to a child, they come here again to give offerings to Lord Muruga of fruits or sugar equal to the weight of the baby. Couples come here to pray for the wellness of their child, especially if the child suffers from ailments often. Devotees perform Abhishekam and offer clothes and adornment to Lord Muruga.
A large crowd can be seen during Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Tirukarthikai in November-December, Thai Poosam in January-February, and PanguniUthiram in March-April; all of these are major festivals here.
Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Address
The Executive Officer, Sri Subramanyaswami Temple, Kundrathur-600 069, Kancheepuram district.
