Kartikeya, also the Hindu god of war is a much-honored deity in the South of India. He is referred to by names such as Murugan, Skanda, Kumara, Subrahmanya, Shadanana, Shanmukha, Saravana, and Guha. He is believed to be the son of the divine couple Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the younger brother of Lord Ganesha.
The stories of Kartikeya are cited in Shiva Puranas. Kartikeya is also the leader of Devatas and was born to kill Tarakasura as mentioned in Skanda Purana. Lord Kartikeya appears riding a peacock and carrying a vel or spear in his hand. He has six heads and twelve hands. He is also worshipped in Malaysia and Sri Lanka as a guardian deity.
Lord Murugan temples
Here are, 10 Lord Murugan temples that one must visit.
1. Palani Murugan Temple, Dindigul
Situated in the town of Palani in Dindigul district, it is one of the Six Adobes of the Murugan. The temple is 125 km far from the Palani Railway Station and 100km southeast of Coimbatore in the foothills of the Palami hills. Dhandayuthapani is the main deity and appears in a meditative state, carrying a staff (‘danda’) as a weapon (‘Ayutha’) in his hands (‘Pani’). The statue of Dhandayuthapani is made from an amalgam of nine minerals called Navabashanam. It is believed that if these nine minerals are mixed in a certain ratio, it forms eternal medicine.
The main festivals celebrated here are:
- Thai-Poosam: Celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month called Thai (from January 15 to February 15)
- Panguni-Uththiram: Celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month called Panguni (March – April)
- Vaikasi Visakam: This is a big celebration as it is the birthday of Lord Murugan, and falls on the full moon day of the Tamil month Vaikasi (May – June)
- Soora-Samharam: It is celebrated by fasting from the first to the sixth day of the Tamil month Aippasi.
2. Swamimalai Murugan Temple, Kumbakonam
Located on the bank of the divine Cauvery River in the panchayat town of Kumbakonam, Swamimalai is also one of the Six Adobes of Lord Murugan. The temple is 8.6 km far from the Kumbakonam bus stand and 250 km from Chennai. The main shrine of Swaminathaswamy (also called Balamurugan) lies at the hilltop (60ft above), and the shrines of his parents Meenakshi and Shiva are located downhill.
The sixty steps in the temple are named after the 60 Tamil years. The major festival celebrated here is Vaikasi Visagam. It is the birthday of Lord Murugan and is believed that on this day Lord Murugan manifested to destroy the evil forces and start dharma and wisdom.
3. Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, Tuticorin
Historically known as Jayanthipuram, is also one of the Six Adobes of Lord Murugan. It is situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal in the east of Thiruchendur in the district of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The distance from Chennai to Thiruchendur temple is 443 miles. It is believed that in Tiruchendur, God Subramanya gives darshan to his devotees in the form of Senthil.
The temple was originally built with stones, and in later years it was renovated and rebuilt with granite. The main deity Lord Murugan is seen in a standing posture alongside Shivalingas. The major festivals celebrated here are:
- Masi and Avani festivals (Masi is held during February-March and Avani is held during August-September.)
- Vasant Festival is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai where Lord Murugan and his consorts, Valli and Deivanai are also taken out to Vasanta Mantap for gathered devotees to offer prayers.
4. Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple, Tirupparankunram
The mention of which is found in Skanda Purana, Thirupparamkunram Temple is also one of the Six Adobe of the Lord Murugan. It is located in the suburb of Thirupparamkunram, in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. The temple dates back to the 6th century and is supposed to be built in rock-cut architecture by Pandyas. As mentioned in Skanda Purana, it is the place where Murugan killed the devil Surapadman and wedded Deivayanai (the daughter of Lord Indra.)
The temple is 11km far from Madurai International Airport. Along with the main shrine of Murugan, the temple is the place for other deities Shiva, Vishnu, Vinayaka, and Durga. The major festival celebrated here is Skanda Shashti. Celebrated on the 6th day of Aippasi, it signifies the destruction of evil Surapadma by Lord Murugan. The image of Murugan is taken around the streets for worship by devotees.
5. Thiruthani Murugan Temple, Thiruttani
Located in the hills of Thiruttani town in Tamilnadu, the hill has 365 steps indicating 365 days a year. Lord Muguran is worshipped as Thanigachalam. It is 92.4 km far from Chennai. Among many legends, one of them says: After Lord Rama won over Ravana, he worshipped Lord Shiva at Rameswaram and then came all way along Tiruttani to find peace of mind by worshipping Lord Subrahmanya in this temple.
The temple consists of a five-tiered gopuram and four precincts. There are two shrines, one for lord Murugan and another one for his consorts Valli and Devayani. The major festivals celebrated here are Aadi Krittikai and Skanda Sashti.
6. Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple, Madurai
Also known as Solamalai Murugan Temple is located in the north of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the Six Adobe of Lord Murugan. Situated in between the dense forest uphill, it is 25 km from the Madurai Railway Junction. Here Lord Murugan is worshipped as Jnana Shakti and his consorts Valli as Iccha Shaki and Devayani as Kriya Shakti. Lord Murugan is seen in a standing posture with a single face and four hands are kept between Valli and Devayani. The Vel(spear) of Murugan is made up of stone.
The major festivals celebrated here are Panguni Uthiram, Vaikasi Visakam, Kandha Sashti, and Aadi Krithigai. Aadi Krithigai is an important festival for Lord Murga because Aadi is the first month in the Dakshinayana Punyakalam – when Lord Surya changes direction from North to South.
7. Kallumalai Temple, Ipoh
Situated in northwestern Malaysia in the small town of Ipoh, Kallumalai temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan. The temple is widely known as Kallumalai Kovil. The temple was initially built in 1889 inside a cave in Gunong Cheroh. It was again rebuilt in 1930. The Gopuram tower stands 70 ft. tall. The main festival celebrated here is Thaipusam.
It is the biggest festival of Hindus and is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month Thai during January/February. The day is observed as thanksgiving and paying penance for Lord Murugan by carrying Kavadis. Kavadai is a ceremonial surrender and offering practiced by devotees while praying and worshipping Lord Murugan. Another festival, Kantha Shasti lasts for ten days in the month of November.
8. Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, Penang
Situated in the Malaysian state of Penang, Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple is also known as the Waterfall Hill Temple. Devotee needs to climb 513 stairs to reach the temple. It is the largest Murugan temple outside India, as the Gopuram stands 21.6m tall with a seven-storied temple.
The total cost of building the temple is supposed to be 10 million ringgits (Malaysian currency.) As devotees reach the hilltop by climbing 511 stairs, they are bound to be amazed by the six pillars inside each one of which represents the six main Murugan temples. Devotees perform Archana along with the priest.
- Abishegam (6.45 am)
- Kaala Santhi (7.30 am)
- Abishegam (11.00 am)
- Utchikkalam Pooja (12 pm)
- Abishegam (5.00 am)
- Sayaratchai (6.00 pm)
- Abishegam (8.00 am)
- Ardha Jamam (9 pm)
Chithra Pournami is the main festival celebrated in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May.) It is celebrated by the chariot procession of the Lord Murugan.
9. Selva Sannidhi Murugan Temple, Thondaimanaru
Situated in the northern province of Srilanka, Selva Sanniti Murugan Temple at Thondaimanaru is twenty miles from north of Jaffna. Devotees are welcome to worship Vel and do daily pujas and Archana. The temple has its own story. The waters of Thondaimannaru flow into the sea elevating towards Sthalam joining triple adjuncts of Sthalam, tīrtham, and mūrti.
This is a water channel that is believed to have been tunneled under the supervision of Karunagaran Thondaiman. He was sent here to obtain the salt supplies by Kulathunga Cholan, who reigned in Chola Nadu. The temple thus lies by the side of the newly cut waterway for worship by locals there.
10. Sydney Murugan Temple
Situated on the top of the May Hills in Sydney, Australia, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. Including the main deity Murugan, other deities worshipped here are:
- Lord Ganesha
- Lord Shiva
- Meenakshi
- Durga
- Lord Vairavar
- Navagraha or Nine Planets
- Consorts of Lord Murugan