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10 Famous Murugan Temples In And Around Chennai
June 29, 2020
The son of the Hindu deities, Shiva and Parvati, Murugan is also the patron deity of Tamilnadu. He has many names like Skanda, Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Subramaniam, Kumara, etc. He is very popular among Tamil Hindus and is worshipped by the Tamil diaspora in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and other countries.
Murugan was the supreme commander of the devas and led them to victory against the demons led by Surapadman. The six battle camps at which Murugan sojourned during his fight against Surapadman are called the Arupadaiveedus. They are Tiruttanikai, Swamimalai, Tiruvavinankudi (Palani), Pazhamudirsolai, Tirupparamkunram, and Tiruchendur. At all these sites, we can find ancient Murugan temples glorified in Tamil poems of the Sangam period.
Muruga is also the elder brother of Ganesha. But while Ganesha is very popular in other parts of India, especially the north, Muruga is not as well known or as popular as Ganesha outside of South India. However, he is regarded as the most handsome among the Hindu deities and the possessor of many divine qualities. There are several famous temples in and around Chennai that are dedicated to Muruga.
1.Vadapalani Murugan temple
This is a very popular temple in Chennai. Built in 1890, it was initially a simple structure, just a thatched shed. Today, it is a grand temple, which serves as a venue for many weddings. At least 7000 marriages are solemnized at this temple every year. Many film stars patronize it, and this has added to its popularity. The Sthalapurana of this temple says that a Muruga devotee called AnnaswamiNayakar erected the shed and placed a Murugan painting there for worship. When he worshipped the deity, he felt a divine power entering his body, and he spoke many things which were later found to be true. Such utterances of his were called ‘arulvakku’ and were believed to have the power to cure illness, provide jobs, solemnize marriages, etc.
Address: Bhakthavatsalam colony 1st street, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600026
2.Arupadai VeeduMurugan temple
‘Arupadaiveedu means ‘six abodes of Murugan’. There are 6 temples of lord Murugan in this temple, built of granite, and each has a different name for Murugan. The idols in each temple are also different, and so are the interiors. This temple is found in Kalakshetra Colony in Besant Nagar, Chennai. Long ago, when KanchiParamacharya was staying at Gulbarga, Dr. AlagappaAlagappan met him and asked the sage if one temple containing all six abodes of Muruga could be built in one place.. The sage told him to go ahead and provided an acre of land at Besant Nagar in Chennai near the sea. At this temple, devotees can worship all the six Murugas in one shrine. Read more
Address: Ashtalakshmi Garden Rd, Kalakshetra Colony, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090
3.Arulmigu Murugan temple
This temple is one of the oldest Murugan temples and is in Chennai. It was built several years ago. The temple is worth visiting for its interiors. People come here seeking remedies for Naga Dosham and Chevvai Dosham. Read more
Address: 1st Street, Tonidarpet, Nethaji Nagar, Kalungadi, Chennai Tamil Nadu 600081
4.Kundrathur Murugan temple
This ancient temple is in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. Mythology says that Murugan, while traveling from Tiruporur to Tiruthanigai, stayed on this hill. The speciality of this temple is that Murugan can be seen only with one Goddess at a time, despite the fact that two Goddesses are with him. the temple’s serene environs and beautiful architecture draw a lot of devotees to it. It was built by the great Chola king, kulothunga Chola. This is the only Muruga temple in Tamilnadu, where the deity faces the north direction.
Address: MuruganKoil Street, Kundrathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600069
5.Siruvapuri Balamurugan temple
This temple is 500 years old. According to its history, once, there was a lady who was always chanting Murugan’s name. This made her husband angry because he felt that she was neglecting him. He became angry and chopped off one of her arms. Even though she was in great pain, she kept chanting Murugan’s name. Moved by her devotion to him, Muruga appeared before her and restored her arm. Read more
Address: Chinnambedu, Tamil Nadu 601101
6.Sri Kandaswamy temple
This temple has three deities -Sri Muthukumaranswamy (Murugan), and his consorts, Sri Valli Amman and Sri Devasanar Amman. One can find many paintings of Lord Murugan, pilgrimages. This temple is also quite old.
Address: Rasappa Chetty Street, Broadway, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600108
7.Kumaran Kundran temple
This temple is on a hillock in Chrompet. It is 40 years old, and the main deity is Murugan. Many cultural events like music and dance, as well as religious discourses, were held at the Arunagirinathar Hall inside the temple precincts daily for more than a year in 2013-14. During this period, the temple was being renovated, and the Raja gopuram was being constructed. Read more
Address: Hastinapuram Main Rd, Chitlapakkam, Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600044
8.Arulmigu Kandhaswamy temple
SreeKandhaswamy Temple is in Tiruporur. It is 40 km enroute Old Mahabalipuram from Chennai city. The temple stands under the Pranava mountain and faces east. Read more
Address: National Highway 49, Tiruporur, Tamil Nadu 603110
9.Siva Subramanya Swami Temple
This temple is dedicated to Murugan. Here, he is known as Siva Subramanya Swamy, and his consorts, Valli Nayaki and DeivaNayaki, are present along with him. The temple is roughly 2km away from Saidapet railway station. Read more
Address: Jayaram Chetty street, west Saidapet, Chennai 600015
10.Vallakottai Murugan Temple
This is a very famous temple in Vallakottai. Large crowds visit this temple during festival days. The idol of Subramaniya Swamy in this temple is the tallest among all the Muruga statues in India. Read more
Address: Vallakkottai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105
