Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga and one of the Arupadaiveedu (six major abodes) of Lord Muruga. It is located in the small town of Thiruchendur in the district of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. It is 55 km south-east of Tirunelveli, 40 km from Tuticorin and 75 km north-east of Kanyakumari. It is easily accessible either by bus or car. Frequent train services are available to Tiruchendur from the nearest railway junction, Tirunelveli Junction. This temple is the fourth Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu to get ISO certification. The Kumbabisheka for this temple was held recently in July 2009, after this many new schemes was implemented in this temple.This temple is famous its "Panneer ilai Vibhuti" which is praised by Sri Adi Shankaracharya that the mere vision of the Panneer leaf Vibhuthi would cure many incurable diseases.

====================================================================Significance of the temple: 

Each of the six major abodes of Lord Muraga has an event mentioned in the puranas (major religious texts). Thiruchendur is said to be second in importance among his six abodes. This place is also referred to by other names in religious poems and literature as Thirucheeralaivai, Thiruchenthil, and Thiruchenthiyoor. The deity is worshipped by various names such as Senthilandavan, Senthilkumar, and so on. The six Arupadiveedus are: Palani (120 km west of Madurai), Swamimalai (150 km east of Madurai), Thiruthani (50 km from Chennai), Pazhamudircholai (10 km north of Madurai) and Thiruparamkunram (10 km south of Madurai).

The temple is situated so close to the sea that waves from the Gulf of Mannar lap at the eastern perimeter wall of the temple. The temple has devotees across the world including Singapore, Malaysia, America, Canada, London, etc. This temple plays a significant role in the faith of the world's Tamils.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya praised Lord Murugan of Thiruchendur by his "Sri Subramnaya Bhujanga Stotra" .He praised the greatness of Vibhuti of Lord Murugan as follows ,

ApasmAra kushta kshayArsha prameha|
JvaronmAdha gulmAdhi rogA mahAntha||
PishAchAshcha sarve bhavatpatra bhoothim|
Vilokya kshanAth tArakAre dravanthe|| (Shloka no.25)

Meaning:

Oh Conqueror of Taraka! Severe epilepsy, leprosy, consumption, lung diseases, venereal diseases, fevers, mental diseases of all types, they run away the moment they see Thy Vibhuti contained in a leaf.
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Mythology connected with the temple:

Thiruchendur is the place where Lord Muruga used as the base camp, before invading the demon king of Suran in Sri Lanka.

Near the temple is also a holy place for the Ayyavazhi sect, where Ayya Vaikundar is said to have performed his Avatar according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi.
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Antiquity: 

This temple has been in existence for millenia, according to the Puranas. Thiruchendur is merely a Tamil name given to this site due to the abundance of sandalwood paste in this temple. It is hailed as Sri Jayantipura in the scriptures. There is an expectional tradition of adhering to the Kumara Tantra instead of the Saivagamas, which makes this temple an exclusively Kaumara shrine. With the onslaughts of Saivism, however, this temple has still managed to resist the introduction of the Saivagamas, amazingly enough. The form of Lord Murugan in this temple has also been extolled in the Kumara Tantra. The Kumara Tantra describes the Lord of Sri Jayantipuram to wield a shakti(lance), akshmala(rosary), katibaddha(one hand resting on His hip) and ambhuja(lotus). This has certainly been morphed by Saivaites to make it seem like Lord Murugan is engaged in worshipping Lord Siva to absolve Himself of the sin of killing a Bramhana. This myth has no scriptural base and is pure hearsay. Surapadma was not a Bramhana. One can become a Bramhana via one of the following two methods. Firstly, by birth in which both of one's parents need to be Bramhanas. Surapadma's father was Rsi Kasyapa and his mother was Asuri Surasa. Secondly, one can become a Bramhana by one's actions. Clearly, Surapadma violated all the codes of conducts of a Bramahana by being egoistic, greedy, harsh in speech etc. This rules out the possibility of Surapadma being a Bramhana. Therefore, the proposition that the Lord incurred the sin of Bramhahatya is completely absurd and should be rejected.
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History of Tiruchendur:

The magnificient temple over the course of nearly 1,000 years has grown from its original modest structure through many additions made by Pandya and Chera kings, and various benefactors. 

'Tiruchendur' means a sacred and prosperous town of victory. Notably, the Gopuram or the temple tower is on the West instead of the East as is traditional due to the sea. The massive structure is nine storeys high and stands at 137 feet. The Gopuram was constructed roughly 300 years ago. The sculptures on the Gopuram chronicles interesting events. For instance, there are scenes from the life of Manikkavachakar. In the ninth storey, a huge bell was fixed by one Mr. Eden, probably the Collector of Tirunelveli from 1832 to 1839. The ringing of the bell indicated the hours of the day. The bell is now not in use because the mechanism is in disrepair.

In the 17th century AD, Tiruchendur temple was occupied by the Dutch for few years and they even looted some of the idols in the temple. Legend has it that the Arumuga Peruman idol was carried away in their ship. There was a sudden storm and the Dutch grew afraid and threw the idol into the sea. Vadamalaiyappa Pillai, an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga saw a vision of the idol's position in his dream. Immediately, he and several other devotees rushed to the spot where as foretold in the dream a lemon was floating and Garuda was flying over the spot. They dove into the sea and recovered the statue.

The temple was originally constructed on the sandstone reefs of the beach, but due to corrosion by the sea the structure began to disintegrate. In early 1900s a sannyasin, Mouna Swami took up the renovation work. This was followed by others over a course of 72 years and the three pragarams were constructed anew in black granite stone. 

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Major deities:

Sri Muruga Perumal (Main god-moolavar)
Sri shanmuga (Primary substitute-Urtchavar)
Panchalingam (Worshipped by Lord Murugan)
Jayanthinathar (Who killed demon surapadma)
Kumaravidanga peruman (Who is going to archery)
Sri Valliamman (Companion of Muruga)
Sri Devasena (Companion of Muruga)
Sri Dakshina moorthy (God of knowledge)
Sri Mahalingeswarar (Equivalent to thousand lingas)
Sri Venkateshwara (Uncle of Lord Muruga)
Sri Vallabhai vinayaga (Brother of Lord Muruga)
Sri Satru Samhara Moorthy (who destroys our enemies)
Sri sandikeswara (Protector of temple wealth)
Sri saneeswara
Sri bairava
Sri Nataraja (Dancing pose of Lord Shiva)
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Pooja Timings:

There are 9 poojas in a day 
Suprabhaatam 
Viswarupam 
Udayamaartandam 
Mudal-Kaalasandhi, Ciru-Kaalasandhi and Periya-Kaalasandhi 
Utchikaalam 
Saayaratchai 
Ardha-jaaman or Raakkaalam 
Ekaandam 
Palli-arai Dîpâarâdhanai or the Lord's rest 
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Main Utsavams (Festivals) of Tiruchendur Temple:

The most famous festivals of this temple are 
Brahmothsavam in the month of Magha (February - March). 
Vasanthothsavam for 10 days in Chaitra (April - May). 
Vaikasi Visakam for 12 days in Vaisakha (May - June). 
Skandha Sashti in Asvini (October - November). 

There are also two Mahotsavams celebrated in a grand fashion. The first being the Aavanipperunthirunaal in the month of Aavani (August-September) and the second being the Maasipperunthirunaal in the month of Maasi (January-February). These are 12-day festivals that happen every year during the above said periods. Lord Shanmukha is taken out in procession on select days during these two festivals. 

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Nearby temples:

Valliamman cave.
Idumban temple.
Ayya vaikunda swamy temple.
Siva temple.
Moovar samathu.
Selva theertha kinaru.
Veilukandamman temple.
Kulasekaran pattinam "Sri Mutharamman" temple.
Venkatachalapathy temple, krishnapuram.

Nazhi Kinaru:
                 Any visit to the temple will not be complete without visiting Nazhi Kinaru. The Nazhi Kinaru is a rare natural phenomenon where there is a 14 sq.ft well and inside this well is a small 1 sq.ft well. The water in the larger well has sulphurous smell and is brackish, but the water in the small well is clear and sweet-tasting. According to the legend Lord Shanmukha's troops were thirsty and Shanmukha planted his spear or Vel at this spot and caused fresh water to gush out from the brackish water well. 

Valli Guhai (Cave):
          A little removed from the main shrine is a sandstone cave dedicated to Valli, Lord Muruga's consort.
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Lodges in Tiruchendur with tariffs and Address:

Please note that lodge tarrifs may have changed.

1.Hotel Udhayam International, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 1,400 → 2,400 per day
Address:Travellers Bungalow Road,Tiruchendur, 

2.Siva Murugan Lodge, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 400 → 600 per day
Address: 4, Sannathi Street, Near Kovil Vasal, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu - 628215 

3.Chitra Park Hotel, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 500 → 2,000 per day
Address: 367,Travelers Bangalow Road, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu - 628215

4.Tamil Nadu Hotel, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 600 → 1,500 per day
Address: T.B. Road, Near Temple, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu - 628215

5.Moorthi Mani Iyer Hotel, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 500 → 800 per day
Address: Nauvapala Salai, Near Kovil Vasal,Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu - 628215 

6.Chendur Residency, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 700 → 1,000 per day
Address: 370/142-C, T.B Road, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu - 628215

7.Balamurugan Residency, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 500 → 700 per day
Address: #22 Pulliyadi Amman Kovil Street, Bus Stand (via) Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu - 628215 

8.Balaji Lodge, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 500 → 800  per day
Address: Near Bus Stand, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu - 628215 

9.Ashok Bhavan Loadge, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 500 → 800 per day
Address: 137-C, Kovil Street,  Tamil Nadu - 628215

10.Thilagam Hotel, Thiruchendur
Tariff Rs. 400 → 800 per day
Address: 151 B, T B Road,Tiruchendur,  Tamil Nadu - 628215 
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How to reach Thiruchendur:

Thiruchendur is 55 km south-east of Tirunelveli, 40 km from Tuticorin and 75 km north-east of Kanyakumari.

Bus : 
         Govt & Private buses from Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore. From Tirunelveli & Tuticorin more frequent buses are there.

Train :
          Daily Train from Chennai ( TIRUCHENDUR EXP : # 16735 -starts at 16.05 from Chennai Egmore )
As there are more Train connectivity to Tirunelveli- One can travel up to Tirunelveli by Train and take a bus or car to Tiruchendur.
Four Passenger Trains are there from Tirunelveli starting 7.00am, 9.35am,11.15am and 18.15pm.

Air :
     Nearest Airports are in Tuticorin at 30 km distance, Madurai 168 km ( 3 Hours ), Tiruchy 311 km ( 4.5 – 5 hours ), Thiruvanthapuram International Airport 175 km ( 3.5 hours )