Smart_Photography_-_December_2015_

the shrine’s significance could mainly
be attributed to the stone vel (spear).
Also, fruits of the rose apple tree in the
temple courtyard coincidentally ripen
during the Skanda Sashti festival. The
idol in a standing posture has a single
face with four hands and is flanked
by consorts, Valli and Devayanai, on
both sides. The shrine is said to offer
a healthy life bereft of diseases to
devotees who visit it.

How to get there: It is about 20
kilometres from Madurai.

Thirupparankundram
As per legend, a demon known as
Surapadman troubled the gods. So after
Lord Murugan defeated Surapadman,
Indra, the king of gods, as a token of
gratitude gave his daughter, Devayanai’s
hand in marriage to Murugan. At the
sacred water tank within the temple,
it is a joy to feed puffed rice (pori) to
the fishes. It is said that the sons of a
sage were cursed to become fishes and
they waited at the water tank here to
catch a glimpse of Lord Murugan, (who
was supposed to come here after the
slaying of Surapadman) so that they

Thiruchendur

It is here that Lord Murugan defeated

Surapadman. This battle is re-enacted

every year with religious fervour

during the annual Skanda Sashti festival

after Diwali and draws millions of

devotees. Significantly, this is the only

temple located on the seashore, since

his shrines are mostly located amid

mountains. Also he does not have his

‘Vel’ in his hand as he is praying to Lord

Shiva for having slain many in battle.

There is a fresh water spring located

amidst the dunes. It is said that Lord

Murugan’s Vel had pierced the earth at

this spot.

How to get there: The shrine in

Thoothukudi district is about 60 km

from Tirunelveli.

Swamimalai

After being cursed by a saint for

disturbing his penance, Lord Shiva

forgot his knowledge and regained it

by learning from Lord Murugan here.

For teaching his father Shiva (‘Swami’)

the meaning of the Pranava mantra Om,

he became known as Swaminātha and

‘Malai’ in Tamil means mountain.

How to get there: It is about 8 km from

Kumbakonam in Tanjore district.

At all these locations in Tamil Nadu,

for the convenience of devotees,

there are many affordable hotels.

Since almost all Murugan temples are

situated in hilly terrain, head for these

shrines in India that offer a

dual benefit - of visiting a divine

religious place amidst nature, at its

scenic best. |SP

could be redeemed. Till date, many

Tamilians consider the temple, which

has been carved out of the rock face, a

very auspicious place to get married.

Interestingly, a Muslim shrine dedicated

to Sikandar, Murugan’s friend, is situated

on the same hill.

How to get there: It is located about 8

km from Madurai.

Palani

This ancient shrine is situated 1,500

feet above sea level. The name Palani is

derived from the words ‘Pazham Nee’

or ‘You are the fruit of wisdom’ which

were uttered by parents, Lord Shiva and

Parvati to pacify an enraged Murugan.

Apart from the nearly 700 steps, one can

get to the top of the steep hill by means

of winch trolleys. It is claimed that this

shrine offers the highest income in

Tamil Nadu. The significance of the deity

called Dandayudhapani - where the staff

(danda) is a weapon (ayudha) in his

hands (pani) - is that it is made out of

nine rare minerals (Navabashanam).

How to get there: It is about 60 km

from Dindigul.

About Murugan

Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva, is the god of love and war and the

fountain-head of Tamil literature. Like his father Shiva, he is eternally

youthful. His very name Murugan as Mu -- Mukundan (Vishnu), Ru -- Rudra

(Shiva) and Ka -- Kamalan (Brahma) contain the three divine functions of

creation, preservation and destruction. Of his attributes, he has a vel (spear)

in his hand, the peacock as his mount and the cock symbol on his war flag.

The vel, given by his mother, signifies the power of wisdom. After slaying

Surapadman, the Lord converted the two parts of Surapadman in to a

peacock and the cock symbol.

As per legend, when the gods asked Lord Shiva to save them from Surapadman,

Shiva created Karthikeya, to kill Surapadman, out of a spark that emanated

from his third eye. Unable to bear the intensity, Agni (Fire God) dropped him

among the river weeds. The scattered sparks became six babies. They were

cared for by the six Krittika (hence the name Karthikeya) maidens and the six

babies united to become a single beautiful child.

Marriage - Valli and Devayanai were celestial damsels, Sundaravalli and

Amudavalli. They performed intense penance to become Murugan’s consorts.

Pleased, Murugan ordained that Amudavalli would be reborn as Indra’s

daughter while Sundaravalli would take birth on earth in a hunter tribe

and that he would marry both of them. Accordingly, Murugan got married

to Devayanai at Tirupparankundram. The name Devayanai is derived from

‘Devas’ ie the gods and ‘Yānai’ in Tamil means elephant since she was raised

by Indra’s divine elephant.

Skanda Sashti Kavacham: It is believed that regular chanting of this ancient

hymn, sung in praise of Lord Murugan, can resolve problems of daily life.

Apart from India, Tamil-speaking people

worship Murugan even in Sri Lanka, Singapore,

South Africa, Malaysia, Fiji, Australia and

America to name a few countries.

Temple Location

Tiruttani Near Chennai

Pazhamudircholai Near Madurai

Thirupparankundram Near Madurai

Palani Near Dindigul

Thiruchendur Thoothukudi -

Near Tirunelveli

Swamimalai Near Kumbakonam

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Smart Photography December 2015