Kandhasraman Temple near Salem

Introduction to the Kandhasramam Temple

The Kandhasramam Temple is located amidst hillocks in Udayapatti, Salem-Attur route, Salem district. The temple is on the apex of a small hill called Skandagiri. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board administers it.

History of the Kandhasramam Temple

Om Shri Shantananda Swamigal founded the Kandhasramam Temple in the 20th century. His Guru, Shri Sentha Mangalam Avathuda Swamigal, changed his original name, Subramaniam, to Shantananda.

He was also associated with the Avadhudha Dattatreya Sampradaya of Gujarat and several philanthropic activities. Shantananda Swamigal planned this temple in May 1968. The Kandhasramam Temple was built, and the Maha Kumbhabishekam was performed on February 8, 1971.

Architecture of the Kandhasramam Temple

The Kandhasramam Temple enshrines Skanda and other deities. In the outer Prakaram are giant statues of Pancha Mukha Anjaneya, Pancha Mukha Vinayaka, and Dhanvantri.

The Kandhasramam Temple is built under strict Agama rules. It has a 16-foot-high Dattatreya and Swarna Akarshana Bhairava. The deities associated with the four Vedas are also installed here.

It is the only temple where Parasakthi and Muruga face each other. Navagrahas are installed around Muruga with their respective consorts. Sankatahara Bhairava is popular only here.

The Lingam installed in the temple has nine points. Each points to each shrine – Dattatreya Dhanvantri, Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar, Panchamukha Ganapathi, Panchamukha Anjaneya, Gnana Skanda Gurunathan, Skandamata, Magangal Mandapam and Skanda Jyoti.

Kannimar Oadai is a small stream located on the temple's eastern side, with a shrine for Kannimar Amman. Since the stream flows north, it is called Uttaravahini.

In the Kandhasramam Temple, Murugan is worshipped as Skanda Guru, Lakshmi as Ashtadasa Bhuja Mahalakshmi, and Parvati as Durga Parameshwari.

Durga Parameshwari and Shri Ashtadasa Bhuja Mahalakshmi bless devotees in the Maha Mandapam. The smiling idol of Balathandayuthapani or Gnanaskandan faces Skandamata, which is unique as it is seen only here. All the statues are in standing postures. There are idols of four Nayanmars, namely Sankara, Vyasa, Ramanuja, and Madhva, at this temple. Vinayaka and Hidimba shrines are on either side of the main temple.

Banalinga Bhuvaneswarar and Bhuvaneswari are in the main shrine, brought from the River Narmada for Pradosha Pooja.

Devotees recite Skandaguru Kavacham here. No Archana is done, and no camphor is used at this temple. There is a separate Yagna Sala. A Yajur Vedic school is also inside the temple premises.

The Kadamba tree is the Sthala Vriksham, and Uttaravahini is the Theertham of the Kandhasramam Temple.

Festivals in the Kandhasramam Temple

The Kandhasramam Temple celebrates Panguni Uthiram (March-April), Vaikasi Visakam (May-June), Aadi 18 (July-August), Navratri (October-November), and Karthikai Deepam (November-December) grandly. Every morning commences with Suprabatha Seva.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Kandhasramam Temple

People visit the Kandhasramam Temple and pray for wedding and progeny blessings. Sick people come here to worship Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, to cure their diseases and restore good health. Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar is also prayed to for prosperity.