Introduction to Kundrathur Murugan Temple
This temple is in Kundrathur, a southwestern suburb of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is in the Kancheepuram district. ‘Kundru’ in Tamil means ‘hill’. This place is also where the renowned poet Sekkizhar was born. He was a poet-saint and the author of the work Periyapuranam. It is the last of 12 books in the Shaiva canon. Sekkizhar was also the chief minister of Kulothunga Chola II, who built the Kundrathur Murugan Temple. He resigned from the ministry and wrote Periyapuranam. His younger brother, Palaravayar, dug a water tank near his house, which people call Palaravayar Kulam.
The presiding deity in the Kundrathur Murugan Temple is Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Murugan has many names – Kumaran, Kartikeyan, Skanda, Subramaniyan, Shanmukhan, etc. He is the patron god of Tamil Nadu and also the deity of war. He is very much revered by Tamil Hindus and is also worshipped in places like Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, which have a large Tamil diaspora. Kundrathur Murugan Temple is one of the renowned Murugan temples in South India, and it is also the only temple where the deity stands facing the North direction. Also called ‘South Thanigai,’ the temple is 5 centuries old, and devotees have to climb 84 steps to reach the temple, which stands on a hillock. Many Muruga temples in Tamil Nadu are on hills, and there is even a Tamil saying that wherever there is a hillock or mountain, one can find Murugan there.
The temple also has shrines to Ganesha, Shiva, Bhairava, Dakshina Murthy, Durga, and the Navagrahas. Vilva tree is the Sthala Vriksham at the Kundrathur Murugan Temple, and the Tirtham is Saravana Poigai. The Moolavar is Lord Subramaniya Swamy.
Murugan was the commander of the Devas or demi-gods, who led them in their battles against the Asuras or demons. He was born to kill demons like Surapadman and his brothers, Tarakasura and Simhamukhan. During the battle against these demons, he sojourned at six places. These six battle camps are Swamimalai, Tiruttani, Tiruvavinankudi (Palani), Tirupparamkundram, Pazhamudirsolai, and Tiruchendur. There are Murugan temples at each of these sites, which have been mentioned in the Tamil poems of Tirumurugaatruppadai. The poems belong to the Sangam period (3rd century CE). Taken together, the six sites are called “Arupadai Veedu,” meaning ‘the six battle camps of the Lord’.
Murugan is usually represented as a bachelor; however, many accounts claim that he had two wives, Valli and Deivanai. While the former is a tribal maiden, the latter is the daughter of Lord Indra. Murugan’s youth was the most eventful period in his life.
The Legend of Kundrathur Murugan Temple
As per Hindu mythology, Murugan stayed on the hill where this temple stands while traveling from Tiruporur to Tiruttanigai. A unique detail about the Kundrathur Murugan Temple is that the deity can be seen only with one of his consorts at a time, though both the consorts are present with him. Thus, from one side, we can see Muruga with Valli, and from the other side, we can see him with Deivanai.
Murugan supposedly worshipped a Shiva linga at this place before he reached Tiruttani. The demon, Tarakasura, was causing trouble to the Devas in heaven, and to defeat him, Murugan and his army fought him at Thiruporur and defeated him. After the war, Murugan wanted to proceed to Tiruttani to calm himself. On the way to Tiruttani, he noticed a small hillock and camped there for some days. While staying there, he made a Shiva linga and worshipped it daily. Shiva here came to be known as Kandhazheswarar. Even now, we can see the linga at the foothills of Kundrathur. He got this name because Kandan/Murugan worshipped him.
At the Kundrathur Murugan temple, one can see a separate shrine for Shiva, where Muruga worshipped him. After a few days, Murugan left this spot and went to Tiruttani, where he began to reside.
Benefits of Worshipping at the Kundrathur Murugan Temple
Hindus flock to the Kundrathur Murugan Temple for various reasons. People who are frustrated due to delays in marriage worship Muruga for removing obstacles to their marriage. They perform Abishekams (hydration ceremonies) and also a wedding ceremony for the deity to realize their wish. Some make offerings like vastras (clothes). There is a large fig tree in the premises of the Kundrathur Murugan Temple. People who do not have children pray to Murugan at this temple and tie a cradle to this fig tree. Once their wishes are granted, and they become proud parents, they return to the temple and offer fruit or sugar equivalent to the baby’s weight to the deity. Those whose children have health problems also visit the Kundrathur Murugan Temple and worship Murugan to restore their children’s health. The Prasad here is Vibhuti, or sacred ash, which supposedly has healing properties.
The Architecture of Kundrathur Murugan Temple
The temple boasts a rich cultural heritage. During the British colonial period, the temple fell into disrepair. But, in the early 20th century, local devotees renovated it. Over the years, the temple underwent many renovations. Today, it has many impressive structures, including the 100-pillar hall, multi-tiered gopuram/tower, and the sacred tank, ‘Sri Saravana Poigai.’
Festivals at the Kundrathur Murugan Temple
The Kundrathur Murugan Temple celebrates many important festivals. They include:
· Vaikasi Visakham in May-June
· Skanda Sashti in October-November
· Thirukkarthikai in November-December
· Tamil and English New Year in January
· Thai Poosam in January-February
· Thai Pongal in January
· Thai Krithigai and Panguni Uthiram in March-April
· Chithirai Sashti and Aadi Krithigai in March-April
Skanda Sashti – This is a major festival, and the celebrations last eight days. On the sixth day, Soora Samharam, the slaying of Surapadman, is enacted, and on the 7th day, Valli Kalyanam (Murugan’s marriage to Valli) ceremony is held. The wedding with Deivanai is on the 8th day. There are grand celebrations on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam, too. The Deepam (light) is lit in the hill temple. The day of the Karthigai star that falls in each month is also very important.
Vaikasi Visakam –This is a 10-day festival. Devotees take part in certain rituals and ceremonies to please the deity. Some traditions include hoisting the sacred flag, Abishekam, and singing devotional hymns. Colorful lights and flowers adorn the temple, and devotees offer fruits and milk. There is also a chariot procession, where the deity is taken in a decorated chariot on the streets, accompanied by singing and dancing devotees.
Thirukarthikai – The festival takes place on the day of Purnima/full moon of Karthikai month (November – December). Devotees visit the temple to offer worship and take part in various ceremonies. The temple is lit and beautifully decorated with oil lamps and flowers. People sing devotional songs, and the aroma of incense creates a spiritual ambiance. Also, devotees offer a special dish, ‘Panchamirtham’, made from ripe bananas, honey, jaggery, and other ingredients, to Murugan as they believe it brings good luck and prosperity. The festival also features a procession of Murugan’s idol through the streets. Devotees carry kavadi, a decorated wooden arch, and offer prayers as they walk.
Thai Poosam – The Thai Poosam festival falls in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February).
The festival takes place for three days. Devotees observe a fast, offer prayers and flowers, and chant devotional hymns. They also perform Kavadi Attam, a kind of dance as a form of worship. The dancers carry Kavadis to show their devotion to the deity. Another ritual is Thirukalyanam, where the deity, wearing rich attire, is worshipped in a grand procession.
How to Reach the Kundrathur Murugan Temple
Kundrathur lies 24.5 km away from Chennai.
Meenambakkam Airport is the nearest airport.
Pallavaram (16 km) and Tambaram (8 km) are the nearest railway stations
One can also take buses from Parrys Corner and Koyambedu.
Temple Timings:
6.30 am – 12.30 pm; 4 pm – 8 pm