30th June 2019.
This Thiruchendur Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy is always close to my hearts. During my 25 years of stay at SPIC, Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), had been to this temple “N” number of times. During 80s we, in a group used to go to Thiruchendur, once in a month, by walk. It was golden days. On 30th June 2019, when I went to Thoothukudi to attend one of my friend daughter’s Marriage, I do not want to miss a chance of visiting the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple after a long period. With some few structural changes out side and the “Q” system arrangement, my Subramaniyar looks cute.
The
Inscriptions and Sangam litreatures Tholkappiyam,
Purananuru, Agananuru, Thirumurukaatruppadai and latter period Pamban Swamikal mentions this place Thiruchendur in different names. This place was called as “Thirucheeralaivaai”,
Thiruchenthil, Thiruchenthiyur, Jayanthipuram, Chinthipuram, Thirupuvanamathevi
Chathurvedhimangalam. The name Thiruchendur came after Arunagirinathar mentions
in his hymn.
Moolavar : Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy also called as Thiruchendur Murugan
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with two prakaras. Entrance is from the South side. Starts from South side entrance both prakaras are completely covered. The 9 tier Rajagopuram is on the West ( which will be opened for a day in a year for Lord Murugan’s procession and devotees are not allowed through this entrance ) and a small 3 tier Rajagopuram is on the east side between outer and inner prakara. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and arthamandapa. In koshtam, Guru Dhakshinamurthy, Bala Subramaniya Swamy and Mayura Nathar. There is a Pancha linga Sannadhi abutting the north side of the sanctum with a separate entrance. A Dwajasthamba is in 2nd parakara and another Dwajasthamba with peacock is in the inner prakara.
In the inner prakara Bhairavar, Saneeswara, Natarajar, Kattabommu worshiped Jakkamma, Sri Shanmugar Chandrasekarar, Somaskanthar, Sandikeswarar, Devasena, Sri Valli, Shasti mandapa, 63var, Sankara Narayanan, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Vedhapureeswarar, Ekambaranathar.
In the outer prakara a Dwajasthamba, Sri Venkatachalapathy in a Cave, Sthala purana photos, Vallaba Ganapathy, Arunagirinathar, Vanmikanathar, Jalakandeswarar, Arunachaleswarar with Unnamulai Amman, Thiru Kalatheeswarar, Uma Maheswarar, Somanathar with Meenakshi, Thirumoolanathar, Aanmalinga, Manonmani Amman, Banukeswarar, Sura Samhara murthy, Sakthi Ganapathy, 108 Lingam, Vallabai Ganapathy and Kodimara Kalyana Vinayagar.
Out side the Temple are the Mandapas, Nazhi kinaru, Golden Chariot and Valli Cave.
LEGEND OF THE TEMPLE:
As Per the Legend, this is one of the Arupadai Veedu, where asura Surapadma was killed by Thiruchendur Murugan. The Asura Surapadma gave frequent troubles to Devas. When they complained to Lord Shiva, he created 6 children through his third eye. Sri Parvathi made them in to a single boy with 6 faces and 12 hands also She gave the lance / Vel to fight with Surapadman. After 5 days of fight with Surapadman, Lord Muruga killed him on the 6th day. Surapadman transformed in to a mango tree and the lance pierced in to two, of one piece turned to Peacock and another piece turned to Cock. Lord Muruga took Peacock as Vahana and cock as his flag.
THE IDOLS LEGEND: As per the legend The Dutch East India Company used the temple as garrison between 1646 to 1648 AD, during the conflict with Portuguese. As per the order of Madurai Nayaks they vacated the temple and took away the Urchavar ( Thinking that the idols were made of gold ) and Nataraja. In the middle of the see the ship which carried the idols met the gale and storm. So the Dutch officers dropped the Idols in to the sea and immediately the sea became calm. Lord Muruga came in the dream of Vadamalaiyappa Pillai an ardent devotee, where the idols was dropped. With the help of Adhitha Nadar the idols were retrieved and installed back. This story photos/ paintings are hung in the outer prakara.
Actual History of the Idols: But in actual story from the Dutch records was different. They took away the idols to Dutch Ceylon and asked 1lakh reals as ransom to return back. In 1650AD, A delegation of Hindu and Muslims of Kayalpattinam went Ceylon to retrieve back. In the meantime Ravi Varma of Travancore had a secret deal to buy the idols. In 1651AD the idols were sent back to Kayalpattinam along with the merchant Van der Meijden, offering to sell for 30000 to 25000 reals. Since nobody came forward for that amount the merchant returned back to Galle of Ceylon. After that the Dutch records are silent. From the 1653 AD inscription in the mandapa the idols were installed back in presence of Thirumalai Nayak and Vadamalaiyappa Pillai, then Governor of Tirunelveli.
HISTORY & TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE:
Since the actual period of Construction is not known, it is believed that the temple was built by Pandyas & Cheras with sand stone, during 6th to 8th Century. The earliest inscription of 875AD belongs to Varaguna Pandyan. The front mandapa, prakara, were extended in 16th - 17th Century by Vijayanagara Nayaks. In 1650 AD the Rajagopuran was constructed by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam. Further expanded by Maharaja Marthandavarma (1729-58 AD ). The structures were damaged heavily due to sea salt laden wind and sea water, since the sea waves used to hit the temple when they are rough. With the effort of Mouna Swami, Desika Murti Swami and Kasi Swami the sand stones were replaced by granite stones. The work continued for about 72 years and a lot of money was incurred. Finally the work was completed and Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 1941 AD. Further Kumbhabhishekams were performed in 1959, 1971 and 1983.
In one of the inscription it was mentioned that Moolavar Vigraha was replaced in 1984 AD, by the trustees Thirumalaikozhunthu Pillai and S Vedha Murthy Mudaliyar and paradhista ashta pandhana kumbhabhishekam was performed. In that inscription Chozha mandalam, Chera mandalam, Thondaimandalam and Eezhamandalam are mentioned.
FESTIVALS:
Apart from daily poojas, Annual festivals like Vaikasi Visakam, a 10days Avani festival, 7 Days Skanda Sasti festival, 12 days Masi festival and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs without break. Male Devotees are not allowed to wear baniyan or shirts. ( This practice may be followed from 18th Century Maharaja Marthandavarma period, who had contribution to this temple ).
CONTACT DETAILS:
The Land line numbers 04639 -242221, 242270 and 242271 may be contacted for further details.
E-mail address : tiruchendurmurugan@tnhrce.org
Temple web site: http://www.tiruchendurmurugantemple.tnhrce.in/festival.html
HOW TO REACH:
Bus facility is available from all the district head quarters.
Thiruchendur is about 40 KM from Thoothukudi, the district head quarters, 55 KM from Tirunelveli, 180 KM from Madurai and 640 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Thiruchendur and other express train Tirunelveli.
Nearest Airport, Thoothukudi and Madurai.
West side Rajagopuram with South side entrance gopura
East side Rajagopura
West side Rajagopura with Peacock with peahen
West side Rajagopura with Mandapa
Painting of Dutch looting the idols
Surapadman
Sura Samharamoorthy
Once wells are there along the east wall- The Pandya King's daughter took bath and changed her face from Horse in to Beautiful face- the inscription stone.
The inscription of Moolavar change in 1984.
Pandya inscriptions
Pandya inscriptions
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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