Thiruparankundram Temple

About The Temple

Thiruparankundram temple is dedicated to the Lord Subramaniya. It is situated 8km south from Madurai district. Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramaniya. This is cave temple, One of the sangam poet Nakkirar has sung a log poem about this Temple is called Thirumurugatrupadai. Devayanai Marriage, Thirumalai Nayak and Mangammal Sculptures are there in this temple. The most important sculputure is Lord siva with flag of Rishaba in his hand cannot be found anywhere else. The important festival in this Temple is Vaigasi visagam, which is celebrated as Lord Subramaniyar’s birthday, and Surasamharam, which is celebrated in the month November or December every year.

Presiding deities of the temple are Lord Muruga and Goddess Devasena. Other deities – Shiva, Vishnu, Durga and Ganapathy – are represented as well.

Entrance in the ancient cave temple leads through a row of massive square pillars ornamented with lotus-shaped medallions.

Inside the cave temple there has been preserved ancient painting of Nataraja – dancing Shiva. Cave temple contains also the sculpture of presiding deity Sri Subramaniyaswamy (Muruga). Rock-cut temple contains also 41 inscriptions revealing the early history of the temple. Before the ancient rock-cut temple there is built front part – mugha mandapam.

Separate entrance leads into Sani Bhagawan – another shrine in this temple. In the western side there is rock-cut chamber which houses the lingam but in the eastern side there is one more shrine with Vishnu and Durga opposite to him. Temple contains many more carvings of deities.

In the south-eastern part of Kambaththadi mandapam there has been found a 30 m long tunnel. Temple contains also two historical wooden carts which are used for ceremonial purposes in certain proccessions.

History

According to another tale King Harichandra worshipped Shiva from this hillock and gained eternal wisdom. Thus he built a temple here – temple was complete with Praharams (ambulatories), walls, Gopurams (gate towers) and steps.

The “real history” (who can differentiate myths and reality in Indian past?) of the temple may start with 8th century AD when Pandya rulers built rock-cut temple.

Later, during the reign of Nayaks of Madurai (1559 – 1736 AD) the temple was supplemented with beautiful gopurams and beautified. There was built extensive and beautiful front part

(mugha mandapam) with 48 ornate pillars carved during the rule of Pandya and Nayaks.

Modern History

It is possible that the worship history of this hill goes far into the past, may be even well before there appeared Hinduism. There are many legends associated with this mountain. Thus, the hill is considered to be the “Southern Himalaya” where the gods assemble. There is also legend that this is the place where Sun and Moon take a rest.

Significance

Since there have happened such important events, Murugan Temple in Thiruparankundram became one of the most revered shrines in Tamil Nadu. Up to this day Tamil people readily marry here. Especially many pairs get married in festival of marriage – Pankuni Uttiram – in late March.

Temple leads very active religious life with numerous festivities and Thiruparankundram for most part of the year is teeming with life.

As if there is not enough importance and reverance, on the top of hill there is also a Muslim shrine devoted to Sekunder – Alexander the Great! Local Muslims consider that Alexander the Great was the friend of King Murugan. Thus Thiruparankundram is a place where both Hindu and Muslims go well along.

Sri Subramaniaswami Temple

About The Temple

The Kalhara Theertham created by Indira is on the hill.  Lord Muruga met and took Valli and married her in this place.  This is a beautiful Muruga temple with 365 steps.  Though traditionally devotees begin the worship in any temple with Vinayaka worship, He, Aabath Sahaya Vinayaka (Vinayaka coming to rescue of the devotee when in need) is worshipped at the last phase in this

temple.  There is also a Vishnu Durga Temple in this place.  This is an ancient temple.

History

The story of Lord Muruga and Valli has a great message of philosophy.  Every one should walk towards the Almighty for liberation from the cycle of births and deaths.  The world we live in is a rented house and what our own is the feet of the Lord.  Almost all of us feel that this is ours and are hunting for material wealth and pleasures.  Enlightened souls understand this truth and they win illusions and reach the final destination-the feet of the Lord.

Nambirajan, the head of the Gypsy-Kuravas- community found a female child amidst the Valli plants, took her and brought her up.  He named Her Valli after the plants.

Fields – Thinaipuam where this grain is cultivated represents the material aspiration of people that it belongs only to them.  The bird coming to pick the grain is the symbol of divinity telling that the grain belongs to them-Gods.  We drive the birds.  Valli was the watch woman in the field driving the birds.  Lord Muruga, to enlighten her of this truth, came in the guise of an aged hunter and persuaded Her to marry Him.  When She refused, He threatened her through an elephant.  When Muruga embraced Her, the touch cleared Her illusions.  This event is celebrated as Valli Kalyanam.  The place is called Tiruthanigai where Lord

Muruga shed his anger after defeating demon Sura in Tiruchendur.  In the days followed, the name changed as Tiruthani.

Famous For

Lord Muruga is not holding the Vel weapon which is closely associated with Him, but Vajra Hastam in his right hand that would produce a sound as thunder.  His left hand is on the hip representing wisdom.  Only during dressings (Alankara) Vel and Cock Flag are placed with Him according to tradition.  There are separate shrines for Valli and Deivanai.  Pujas in the temple are performed in accordance with Kumara Tantra Agama order.

The festival Sura Samhara – destroying demon Sura in Tiruchendur being celebrated in all Murugan temples on Skanda Sashti day in October-November is not followed here, because the Lord is in pleasant mood without war plans. After destroying the demon, He came to Tiruthani with victorious and happy mood.  Therefore, the war festival is not celebrated here.  Instead, on this day, flowers weighing 1000 Kilograms are used to please the Lord.

In the place of peacock, the elephant is the vahan-vehicle for Muruga which also against tradition of facing the Lord’s shrine, faces the opposite side.  The story goes like this.  As Indira had offered Iravadham the white elephant as the wedding gift to Deivanai, the prosperity of Deva world began to shrink.  Indira prayed to Lord Muruga to allow the elephant in the shrine to turn the other side so that its aspect on Deva Loka would help the growth of prosperity in his kingdom.  Lord Muruga gracefully obliged.  Hence, the elephant faces the other side.

Gajavalli: Daughters of Lord Vishnu, Amudavalli and Sundaravalli performed penance seeking Lord Muruga’s hands.  Deivanai was under the care of Indira while Nambirajan took care of Valli.  They realized their aim and became consorts of Lord Muruga.  They

wished to show that they were one and took the form of Gajavalli.  Gajavalli holds the Lotus in the Her right hand attributed to Valli and the Neelotpala flower in the left representing Deivanai.   She graces from Her parrot vehicle.

Sandal that cures: The sandal paste used in Muruga worship in Tiruthani has a divine significance.  It is not ground on the stone we usually use but the one gifted by Devendra.  Devotees do not put this sandal Prasad on their forehead but dissolve in water and consume it as it is believed that would cure them from any disease.  This Prasad is offered only on festival days.

Aadi Krithikai: It is believed that Indira worshipped here on the Kruthika star day in the month of Aadi-July-August.  This is a three day celebration in the temple.  Lord Muruga comes in procession to the sacred spring Saravana Poigai at the foot of the hill.  As Indira used the Kalhara flowers for his puja, the tradition of carrying Malar Kavadi – flower Kavadi is devotionally followed by the devotees in the temple.

Abishek with hot water: Sri Aadhi Balasubramania graces on the wall behind the sanctum sanctorum as a child.  He was the Lord with Akshara Mala and a Kamandala (a small pot with a handle to carry water usually held by Gods and Sages) before his wedding with Valli.  In the month of Marghazhi (December-January) abishek is performed with hot water as this is the winter season.  Devotees cannot see their Child Lord trembling with cold, hence bathe Him in hot water.

Puja to steps on New Year day: This is a temple with 365 steps representing the days of the year.  During the British rule, people use to greet their white rulers on the New Year day.  Using this custom to turn people to the spiritual side, Muruga devotee Sri Vallimalai Swamigal began Padi Puja (worshipping the steps) in the year 1917.  On the previous night, each step would be washed and adored with turmeric and kumkum offering Arti with

camphor singing a Tirupugazh hymn.  After Puja to the steps, special pujas are performed to Lord Muruga at 12.00 midnight.

Bhairava with four dogs: Lord Bhairava graces in temple with 4 dogs vehicle representing 4 Vedas.  He is seen with two dogs in some temples.  Here, Bhairava has four dogs representing the four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana.  While one dog is behind Bhairava, other three are around the Peeta.  Those aspiring to achieve academic excellence pray here.  Deivanai wedding festival is celebrated during the Chithirai (April-May) Brammotsava and Valli wedding festival in Masi (February-March).

During the final puja at night, Lord Muruga graces with Valli on a day and Deivanai the next day.  As Lord Muruga wedded Valli in the guise of a hunter, He graces on a Tiger Vahan on the sixth day of Brammotsavam and then on the Elephant Vahan.  A Muslim gentleman had the luck of being graced by Lord Muruga in this temple.  Remembering the event, during festival days, when the Lord comes in procession, a Muslim devotee plays the drum even today.  Tiruthani is the place where Lord Muruga shed His anger and fury after conquering and destroying demon Sura in Tiruchendur.  It is said that there is a scar on Muruga caused by clash with the demon.  Lord graces smilingly.  Also, Tiruthani is the place where Devendra gifted Iravadham the white elephant to Deivani as wedding gift.  Hence, the elephant before the sanctum sanctorum in the place of the peacock.

Significance

The hill temple has 365 steps representing the days of a year. The shrine of the procession deity is in a mandap made of 1 lakh Rudrakshas. This is the fifth army camp – Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Saint Arunagiriar graces in a sitting form. After destroying demon Sura in Tiruchendur, Lord Muruga came to this place. His fury cooled and He became smiling and peaceful-Shanta Swarupi. It is here that the King of Devas Indira gifted his

white elephant as a wedding gift to Deivanai. We can notice a scar on the chest of the Lord caused by his direct clash with the demon. In the place of peacock, there is elephant in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Muruga holds a weapon on His right hand called Vajravel that would produce a thunderlike sound. His left hand is on the hip representing the Gnana Shakti (power of wisdom). The Vel generally seen in other Muruga temples is not here. Also, the Surasamharam festival (destroying the demon Sura) is not celebrated in this temple. While the Vahanas (vehicle of the deities) face the Lord in the sanctum, the elephant vahan is facing the opposite side in this temple.

Important Dates

14 day Thai Poosam-Brahmmotsavam in January-February is grandly celebrated in the temple. A king, Simmavarman by name was cursed with a Lion’s face by Sage Brugu. For relief, the king prayed to Enkan Lord Muruga bathing in the Vruddha Cauveri River (Vottaru). On a Thain Poosam star day (January-February) combined with Full Moon, Lord Muruga appeared before the king and restored his human face.

This festival day is grandly celebrated in the temple carrying Kavadi on their shoulders. Other festivals are monthly Kruthika star days, 8 day Skanda Sashti in Aipasi (October-November), Karthikai in November-December, Masi Karthikai (February-March), Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year Days.

Pazhamudircholai

About The Temple

Pazhamudircholai is the last Padaiveedu. This Pazhamudircholai Lord Murugan is praised in old Tamil literature such as Silappathikaram, Ettuthogai, Patthupattu etc. The great Tamil poet and saint Avvaiyar had been tested and blessed by Lord Murga here. Murugan is the parihara for all Rahu doshas. Offer worship at this ancient shrine of Lord Murugan and receive his divine grace in abundance.

Modern History

There are conflicting opinion among the scholars as to the location of the actual Pazhamudircholai temple – though the one

near madurai is now considered to be authentic by many. No elaborate history is available for this temple as the temple itself is of recent origin – though Muruga worship here is several hundered years old.

Famous For

Pazhamutircolai is situated 19 kilometres from the temple town of Madurai. The place is full of natural beauty and sylvan surroundings. This hill is also known as Vrishabhadri or Idabagiri. At the foot of the hill is situated Azhakar Kovil, which is one among the 108 divyadesams sanctified by the hymns of Azhwars sung in praise of the Vishnu enshrined in this temple. Atop the hill Lord Muruga stands majestically in the temple as the Lord of the Hills popularly known as Kurinji Nilakkizhavan in Tamil. The temple of Pazhamutircolai can be reached by a motorable road leading to the hill.

Pazhamutircōlai is mentioned as the sixth of Lord Murugan’s Āru Patai Vīdukal, the six holiest Murugan shrines described by Cankam poet Nakkīrar in his poem Tirumurukārruppatai. Regarding the identity of the sixth major site, there is no consensus among scholars and many local temples are ascribed the distinction. Most scholars, priests and devotees identify Palamutircōlai with the shrine of Palamutircolai, twelve miles north of Madurai in the Alagar Hills, above the Alagarcoil Vishnu temple. While this temple is not as large or bustling as the other five recognized shrines, it is just as incredible to visit.

This shrine is located on the northern outskirts of Madurai in a pleasant wooded hill not far from Alagar Visnu Kovil, a fortified temple complex revered as one of the 108 abodes of Vishnu

glorified by the hymns of the Alwars. At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Rākkayi Amman. The Nûpura Ganga atop the hill is said to originated from the anklet of Tirumal or Visnu and hence the name of the spring. It is said that sitting in the madavi mandapa near the spring Ilangovadigal wrote one of the five mahakavyas in Tamil, viz., Cilappatikaram. Even today the place is very fertile with many trees and different flora and fauna, a standing testimony to the vivid description of the place’s natural beauty as found in Tirumurugattruppadai of Nakkeerar.

Though the sthala is of ancient origin, the temple as in existence today was constructed only recently. From days of yore Vel has been worshipped as the moolavar or main deity. The idol of Lord Muruga in a standing posture has a single face and four hands with Valli and Teyvayanai on both sides. The Vel made up of stone is of special significance and is worshipped with a great veneration by devotees.

The sthala vriksha is a rose apple tree. The fruits of this tree ripen during Skanda Sashti festival. The temple that was in existence during Sangam period no longer existed in Arunagirinatha’s time. The recently constructed temple is considered as Pazhamutircolai and worshipped by the devotees. It is needless to say that it is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga very extensively praised and described by Nakkeerar in Tirumurugatruppadai.

Arunagirināthar also reveres this shrine in his Tiruppukal. Arunagirinatha sang 16 Tiruppugzh psalms to Pazhamutircolai Muruga. Though one might be in possession of all types of wealth, if he wants to lead a healthy life bereft of any disease he should necessarily visit Pazhamutircolai. Arunagirinatha very emphatically says in the most unequivocal terms that Lord Muruga should come before him running to bless each and

everyone with health and wealth as has been very clearly described in the Tiruppugazh psalm.

Not far from Palamutircōlai south of Madurai is another of the Āru Patai Vīdukal, Tirupparankunram.

Swamimalai Murugan Temple

About The Temple

Swamimalai Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple located in the township of Swamimalai, 5 km from Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery, 250 km from Chennai and is near to Thanjavur in India. It is one of the Arupadaiveedu, believed to be the six main abodes of Muruga. According to Hindu belief, Swamimalai is where Muruga preached what as called as “Pranava mantra” to his own father, Shiva, at a tender age, after arresting ‘Brahma’ for not answering his question about Pranava Mantra. Though this temple is considered as one of the Arupadaiveedu of Lord Muruga, the real Padaiveedu lies at a place called ‘Thiruveragam’, from where the Lord Muruga idol is brought during the ‘Soorasamharam’ festival.

In Swamimalai, Lord Muruga is known as “Balamurugan” and “Swaminatha Swami”. The speciality of the temple is that it has been built on an artificial hill. In Tamil language, such an artificial hill is called “Kattu Malai”. The next important feature is the steps of this small artificial hill. There are 60 steps and each is named in one Tamil year. There are a total number of 60 Tamil years and hence the 60 steps. Another name for this place is “Thiruveragam”.

History

The history of the temple known as “Sthala Puranam” is as follows: Once, Lord Brahma, the creator of living beings, had disrespected Lord Muruga (the son of Lord Shiva) at the time of visiting Mount Kailash where Lord Shiva resides. Hence Lord Muruga got angry with Lord Brahma and asked him how he was creating living beings such as people, animals etc. Lord Brahma said that he was creating living beings with the help of the Vedas (The Holy Hinduism Books). On hearing the reply, Lord Muruga asked Lord Brahma to recite the slogans from such Vedas. Brahma started to recite the slogans with the Holy word called Pranav Mantra “Om”. At that time Lord Muruga stopped Lord Brahma and asked him to tell the meaning of the holy word “Om”. Lord Brahma couldn’t tell the meaning and hence Lord Muruga punished him with imprisonment. With Brahma imprisoned, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Siva to get Brahma released.

Lord Shiva came to Lord Muruga and asked him to release Lord Brahma from imprisonment. Lord Muruga refused to release him on the grounds, that Lord Brahma was not suitable to do the

work, as he did not known the meaning of the Pranav Mantra(Hindi: ॐ AUM).So Lord Shiva asked Lord Muruga whether he knew the meaning himself and to tell the meaning to him. Lord Muruga told Lord Shiva that he was ready to tell but levied one condition that, even though Lord Shiva who is his father should hear the meaning by giving full respect to him, like the respect given by a student to his master at the time of learning. Lord Shiva accepted the request and heard the meaning of the Pranav Mantra (Hindi: ॐ ) like a student from his beloved son.

This important and interesting incident happened in Swamimalai and hence Lord Muruga is known as “Swaminatha Swami”. The meaning of this name is “The Teacher of Lord Shiva”. The Lord Muruga idol is 6 feet in height. There are Gold coverings, Gold crown and a Diamond Vel for the Lord.

Modern History

Swamimalai is fourth among the six padai veedu or sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Muruga. The presiding deity here expounded the meaning of the Pranava mantra OM to his own Father Lord Siva Himself.

Mythology says that saint Bhrugu before commencing an arduous tavam or penance, got the boon that anybody disturbing his mediation will forget all his knowledge. Such was the power of the penance that the sacred fire emanating from the head of the saint reached up to the heavens, and the frightened devas surrendered to Lord Siva praying for his grace. The Lord extinguished the sacred fire by covering the saint’s head by hand. With the saint’s penance thus disturbed the Lord became oblivious of all his

knowledge and is said to have regained them by learning the Pranava mantra from Lord Muruga at this shrine.

Once when Brahma, the lord of all creations was proceeding to Kailasa, the ever-playful child Lord Muruga asked him for the meaning of the Pranava OM. When Brahma admitted his ignorance, the Lord imprisoned him. With Brahma imprisoned, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Siva to get Brahma released. When Muruga insisted that the imprisonment was a just punishment for the ignorance of Brahma, Lord Siva asked him whether he himself knew the meaning of the primordial Pranava OM. Lord Muruga said that he knew the meaning of OM and can expound it to the latter only if he can accept him as guru and listen to the exposition as a devoted disciple. As Lord Siva acceded to the request of Lord Muruga and heard the exposition of OM as a disciple, the place came to be known as Swamimalai and the presiding deity as Swaminathan.

The temple is built on an artificial hillock of about sixty feet height with sixty beautifully laid stone steps representing the Hindu cycle of sixty years – leading to the Lord . In the ground floor there are temples dedicated to Lord Sundareswarer and Goddesss Meenakshi.

Hymns in praise of the presiding deity have been sung by saint Nakkeerar in Tirumurukatrupadai and by Saint Arunagirnathar in Tiruppukazh.

Famous For

Daily pujas to the deities are performed six times a day (six kalams). Usha Kalam, Kalasandhi and Uchikala poojas are performed in the forenoon and the afternoon poojas commencing from Sayaratchai and Rendam kalam are concluded with Arthajama pooja in the night.

The important festivals conducted in the temple are:

Monthly Kirutikai festival; Temple Car festival in April; Visakam festival in May; Navaratri festival in May; Skanda Shashti festival in October; Tiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December; Taippūcam festival in January; and Pankuni Uttiram festival in March.

Significance

For the convenience of the pilgrims and devotees, 11 rooms, four cottages, two VIP cottages, one donor cottages, three marriage halls and one dining hall have been constructed and are let out at nominal rent ranging from Rs. 20/- to Rs. 100/- per day only.

What To See

The temple has an imposing golden chariot made of seven kilos of gold, 85 kilos of silver and other metals like copper, beautifully illuminated with electric bulbs.

Devotees on payment of Rs. 1001 can take the deity in a procession in the golden charriot around the outer corridor. Devotees are offered a shawl, eversilver pot and a small box with the Lord’s prasadam.

Vallakkottai Murugan Temple

About The Temple

One of the foremost of Murugan temples in India, Vallakottai Murugan temple is situated in a tiny hamlet near Chennai. Vallakkottai is a hamlet in Kanchipuram District, situated at a distance of twelve kilometers south of Sriperumputūr on the Sriperumputūr Cenkalpattu Road 24 kilometers from Tamparam on the Orakkalam Sriperumputūr bus route.Let us peep into its puranic lore. The Vallakkottai – or the Kodai Nagar – temple was built by king Bagiradha in gratitude for His divine grace. Vallakkottai Murugan is therefore known as ‘izhandha selvangalai meetuth tharum arulmigu kodayaaNdavar’ He who restores all that is lost. It is also said that the place owes its name to an ogre by name Vallan, who struck terror in the minds of people. They took refuge in Lord Muruga and he destroyed Vallan. Since this was ruled over by Vallan for a very long time, it continues to be known as Valla – Kottai – fort of Vallan.

Saint Arunakirinātar has glorified this temple in his Tiruppukal in seven songs. Here in this temple, the idol of Murukan is the tallest in Tamil Nadu, seven feet in height. With Valli and Teyvayānai on both sides, the Lord is in all splendour and bestows grace to the devotees.

Bhageerathan ruled a city called Salangkondapuram in the kingdom of Ilanji. Narada, a rishi, came to meet Bhagareethan who was discourteous to him. Narada, enraged at the act, cursed king Bhageerathan and left for the jungle. Meanwhile, a demon by name Khoran was on a pilgrimage and he met sage Narada and sought his blessings. The sage asked the Asura to win the king in a battle as it would fulfil the Asura’s wishes. As expected, Khoran was victorious in the battle and Bhageerathan was banished to a jungle. At this juncture, the king met Narada and pleaded for his blessings. He wanted to regain his lost kingdom. Narada asked Bhagareethan to go to Sage Dhurvasar who guided the king to observe vratam on Fridays.

The king followed the advice of Dhurvasar and worshipped Lord Muruga under the padiri tree and secured his lost kingdom. The king worshipped Muruga, Valli and Devasena in Vallakottai. It is believed that this temple was built by the king.

There is another interesting story about the temple. Since a demon called Vallan ruled this place, called Kottai (fort), it is called Vallakottai. The demon tortured the Devas who complained to Muruga. The Lord killed the demon and restored peace and prosperity to this place.

The temple tank known as Vajra theertham, the temple tank is believed to have been created by the kulisaayudham or vajra-ayudham of Indra. Indra wanted to worship Lord Subramanya and wanted to know the ideal place for worshipping Him and he approached sage Bhrgu, who showed him the Vallakkottai temple. Indra accordingly came to Kodai Nagar and with his mightiest of lances, vajra-ayudham, created the temple tank for performing the abhishekam and hence the name Vajra theerththam. People believe that a holy dip in the tank with the chanting of the mantra ‘Aum Saravanabhava’ would end all miseries.

History

The Temple was recently renovated. People from various places visit this temple during festival days. The Subramaniya Swamy idol in this temple is the tallest Lord Muruga statue in India.

The temple is believed to be 1200 years old.

Long ago, the place was believed to be occupied by a demon called vallan. It was considered to be his fort. Upon hearing the devas ordeal and oppression at the hands of asura, lord muruga decided and destroyed the assuran to restore the peace and prosperity.

As per the death wish of assuran, he blessed the place with the name Vallankottai. In course of time, the name became Vallakotai. In the eight songs of the Thirupukazh, sung by Arunagirinadhar, the place has been referred to as Kodainagar.

The temple has a tank and tit is known as Vajra theertham. People strongly believe that a holy dip in the tank with the chanting of the mantra ‘OM Saravanabhava’ would end all miseries

Enkan- Sree Subramanyar Temple

About The Temple

The presiding deity here is Bhramapureeswarar (Shiva) although the Arumugaswamy shrine is of greater significance as in Sikkal and Ettukkudi and has been glorified by the Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar.

History

Legend has it that the four faced Bhrama with 8 eyes (Enn Kann) worshipped Shiva here, hence the name Enn Kann.The shrine to Bhramapureeswarar is associated with Saint Appar.

There is another interesting legend associated with this shrine. The sculptor who made the Subramanyar image of Sikkal was awe struck by its quality that he vowed that no other such image should be made, and cut off his right thumb.

He was then prompted by Subramanyar in a dream, to fashion another image for the shrine at Ettukkudi. He followed the

instructions in his dream, and when the image was complete, blinded himself so that he could not create images any more.

Another dream prompted him to create a third image of Skanda mounted on a peacock with the aid of a woman, when his chisel inflicted injury upon her; the blood that gushed forth splashed over his eyes, and in a flash he recovered his eyesight miraculously, and in a spate of poetry revered Skanda. The first phrase that he uttered upon recovering his eyesight was ‘En Kann’ – hence the name of the temple.

A beautiful image of Shanmukhar adorns the Shanmukhanathar Deva Sabha. The image with 6 faces is intricately carved. There are small holes in each of the 12 ears, with provision for decoration with ear rings.

The sancta to Bhramapureeswarar and Bhramanayaki are east facing ones. The Shanmukhanathar Deva Sabha is located behind these, facing south. There are also shrines to Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar Sivakami, Kasi Viswanathar, Bhairavar, Arunachaleswarar and other deities here.

The theerthams here are Netra Pushkarini, Saravana Poikai, Vriddha Kaveri, Bhrama Theertham and Kumara Theertham.

The Presiding deity of this temple is Arulmighu Brahmapureeswarar and one among the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam. Arulmighu Subramanyar shrine has got a greater significance, since this sthalam is glorified by the Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar like that of Sikkal and Ettukkudi.

The beauty of Arulmighu Subramanyar is one of the speciality of this temple. The sculptor who made the Subramanyar idol of Sikkal and Ettukkudi, designed the Subramanyar of Enkan. We can able to see the same pattern of Subramanyar in all these three temples.

Sannadhis for Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Natarajar Sivakami, Kasi Viswanathar, Bhairavar, Arunachaleswarar are also found.

The annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the month of Thai. Skanda Sashti is celebrated in the tamil month of Iyppasi. Maasi Magam, Vaikasi Vishakam, Kartikai Deepam Utsavam, Arudra Dharisanam and Aadi Pooram are some of the other utsavams performed in this temple.