Tiruchendur

This temple is known as the second Arupadai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga won the battle with the asura, Surapadma and worshipped Lord Shiva in this sacred place. The temple is situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal.       

     
Raja Gopuram (Western Tower called as Mela Gopuram) 

Rajagopuram     Normally, the Raja Gopuram will be in the eastern side of temples in Tamil Nadu. But in Tiruchendur alone the Raja Gopuram is in the western side. It is said that the Raja Gopuram was not erected on the eastern side since the sea is very close in the eastern side. The basement will not be strong as it is near the sea and there is a possibility of danger to the tower due to sea erosion. 

Mela Gopuram has nine storeys and it is about 137 feet high above Yalimattam, 90 feet long north to south and 65 feet broad east to west. At the top of the Gopuram the width is 20 feet and the length is 49 feet. To indicate that the Gopuram consists of 9 storeys there are nine Kalasams (sacred copper pots) at the top of the Gopuram.     

Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam

Shanmuga-Vilasam     The principal entrance to the temple faces south. The magnificent Shanmugha Vilasam is the front extension to the main temple. The mandapam is 120 feet long, 86 feet broad and supported by 124 columns. Those who observe fast, stay in this mandapam where sea breeze blows refreshingly. This mandapam was originally made of white stones. It was later renovated with granite stones by Mauna Swamigal. The granite roof of the mandapam, without the support of pillars, bears testimony to the excellent architectural technology of the ancient days. 

Looking from the Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam one can worship Lord Shanmugha with his consorts in the Maha Mandapam. If we look north from the Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam we can see Arulmigu Arumugha Peruman seating in the mandapam surrounded by golden pillars. Before climbing down the steps, the men are asked to remove their shirts and vests as a mark of respect to the Lord. This was a practice followed by the kings who ruled Kerala, and it is still in vogue.  

  

Second Prakaram

In this prakaram, a small Dakshinamoorthy image is at the southern side. At the western end of the prakaram is Noottretu Lingas, or the 108 Lingas. The shrine for Soora Samhara Moorthy is situated next to the 108 Lingas and also the shrine of Arunagirinathar, author of Tiruppugazh, is situated in this prakaram.

 

Next to it is the flight of steps leading to Mela Gopuram. Mela Vasal Vinayagar is seated opposite to these steps and he was said to have guarded the scaffolding during the construction of Mela Gopuram. At the northern side of the prakaram, the shrine for Perumal is situated. Here Perumal is in a standing position. Next to this shrine, in the Santhanasala rock, we can worship Lord Ranganathar in a lying posture and Goddess Gajalakshmi by his side. Also we can see Sridevi, Boodevi, Neeladevi and the images of 12 Alwars.    

Copper-Plated Flagstaff (Dwajastamba)

Copper Plated Flag     A copper-plated flagstaff is erected in the middle of the eastern side of the first prakaram. A flag is hoisted during the Avani and Masi festivals. Opposite to this flagstaff, there is a hole in the wall on the eastern side. When we peep through this hole, we can see the sea with its foamy waves. If we place our ear on it, we can hear the Pranava Mantra, “Om”. 

First Prakaram

When we enter the first prakaram, we can see the shrine of Kumara Vidanga Peruman in the left. He is the processional festival deity of Lord Arumuga Nainar. Proceeding further, we can see the 63 Nayanmars and Thogai Adiyars in the left and Dakshina Moorthy on the right. The next three pillars are embellished with the figures of Kasi Swami, Mauna Swami and Desika Moorthy Swami, the people who brought about the temple thiruppanis.    

Next to them is the grand Valliamman shrine, beautiful with marble slabs. Behind this shrine are the shrines of Sankara Narayanar Swami, Visalaksi Amman, Vethapuriswarar Swami, Vathapuriswarar Swami, Yegambaranathar Swami decorated with marble slabs stands near Valliamman Shrine and in between them is the Yagasalai. We can worship Lord Chandeeswarar at the northern side of the prakaram and the shrines of Natarajar, Saneeswarar and Bairavar are on the opposite side.

 

    

We can also see Goddess Sivagami by the side of Natarajar and Karaikal Ammaiyar musing at "Ananda Thandavam" of Lord Natarajar. We can also see the golden flag mast encased in gold if we turn southwards. Here, the flag is not hoisted.

Maha Mandapam

By moving through the Maha Mandapam in two ways, we can worship both the Moolavar (Lord Balasubramanian) and Lord Arumuga. From a spot called Maniyadi, we can worship Lord Balasubramanian.
Opposite to Maniyadi, Parvathi Amman and Kariyamanicka Vinayagar can be seen. Veerabagu Devar is at the left and Veera Mahendra Devar is at the right side of the Moolavar.

Moolavar

The Moolavar is a monolithic figure with four arms and Jadamudi, in a pooja posture facing east. At the right side of the Moolavar statue, lies the silver Sripali and at the left side lies the golden Sripali.    

At the back wall of the sanctum sanctorum, the image of Jagannathar Lingam is carved. The Moolavar is shown worshipping this Lingam. Opposite to the Moolavar we can see two peacocks and a Nandhi, which is the vahana of Lord Shiva.

Pancha Lingam

Lingam     By going round the sanctum sanctorum, we can see 5 Lingams. There is a hole next to the Pancha Lingam at the northern side. It is believed that the Devas come through this hole and perform pooja to the Lord. 

Arumugar

Arumugar, known as Shanmugha Peruman, poses beautifully with 6 faces and 12 arms. Deivayanai is on the left and Valli is on the right side of Arumugar. Athmalingam is in the small niche on the left. A monolithic image of Lord Arumuga is carved beautifully on a stone pillar outside the prakaram.   

Jayanthi Nathar

If you come out of Maniyadi outer gate you can see Jayanthi Nathar made of Pancha Loka. He is the processional deity for Moolavar. On both sides, the statues of Nachiyars can be seen. Chandralingam is on the left side in the shrine. 

Theerthas (Sacred Springs ) 

Tiruchendur is the place where Lord Muruga worshiped Lord Shiva after destructing Surapadma. To get relief from sins and diseases, there are 24 Theerthas (sacred spring baths) here. Their names and their benefits are inscribed on the stone pillars at the seashore. Among them, the most famous ones are Vadanarambam and

Nazhikinaru 

A pathway is laid to reach Nazhikinaru from Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam. After paying an entrance fee you can get down the steps to a 24 feet depth and reach Nazhikinaru. It is a wonder that in such a small space (that is about one square foot) water oozes non-stop. It is said that Lord Muruga poked his spear in the sand here to quench the thirst of his soldiers. The water has sulphuric smell. The depth of this well is 7 feet. In Sanskrit it is called Kanda Pushkarani.    

Devotees take bath in the sea as well as in the Nazhikinaru before worshipping the Lord. A spring with pure water so close to the sea is the salient feature of this natural phenomenon.

Vadanaramba Theertham 

This theertham is in the sea just opposite to the Moolavar. It is said Lord Brahma took bath here to get back his lost head. Kanagasundari, daughter of Kalingan was born with a horse face due to a curse. This king could not bring normal human face to his daughter in spite of performing many austerities. He then came to this place and took bath in this theertham and his daughter is said to have got a normal human face. In memory of this incident, a horse face statue was established in the Veiyulu Kandamman Temple in this town. Since the sea is very rocky in the theertham area, we cannot take bath here.  

Valli Cave Temple 

Valli cave temple     Near the north prakaram there is a cave called Valli kugai. It is believed that Goddess Valli hid here when Lord Muruga chased her. There is a Dhyana Mandapam (Meditation Hall) near this cave.

Saravana Poigai

This is a sacred pond. Lord Muruga appears in the form of six children fostered by six "Karthigai Pengal" in six different lotuses. Arrangements have been made for the pilgrims to take bath in Saravana Poigai.      

Moovar Samathi

There are three samathis near Nazhikinaru for the three saints - Mouna Swamy, Kasinatha Swamy and Arumugha Swamy, who dedicated their lives for the thiruppanis of this temple. The images of these three saints have been carved on the stone pillars in the second prakaram. 

Roofed Pathway (Nataipathai Kottagai)

Roofed Pathway(Nataipathai Kottagai)     A continuous roof is erected on huge cement pillars for a distance of about 1 km. This is the pathway to the temple from Tiruchendur town. This is very helpful by protecting devotees who come to worship Senthilandavar from scorching sun and pouring rain.

Location

Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple, Tiruchendur is situated in the Tuticorin District of Tamil Nadu. The temple is located within 40 km from Tuticorin, 60 km from Tirunelveli and 80 km from Kanyakumari.

Bus Route

There are buses from Chennai, Puducherry, Coimbatore, Thiruppoor, Bangalore, Palani, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Rameswaram, Virudhunagar, Kovilpatty, Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur, Erode, Dindigul, Bodinaikanur and Tiruchirapalli to this temple. There is a bus stand adjacent to Nazhikinaru of this temple.    

Railway Route

The Southern Railway operates train services from Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur at 6.50 A.M., 9.20 A.M., 1.20 P.M. and 5.50 P.M. Similarly trains run from Tiruchendur to Tirunelveli at 6.50 A.M., 1.20 P.M. and 5.50 P.M. Chendur express operates five days a week to chennai (Refer railway time table)

Air Route

Devotees from Chennai, other states and foreign countries can reach Madurai, Tuticorin by air. From Madurai frequent bus and train facilities are available to reach Tiruchendur.

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