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Tirupparamkundram
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Tiruchendur
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Palani
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Swami Malai
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Tiruttani
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Pazhamuthircholai
Thiruparamkundram
Murugan was married to Devayanai upon the hill and for many centuries the Tamil people have considered it the most auspicious place for their own marriages, especially during the time of the Pankuni Uttiram, the festival of marriage held in late March. The importance of this temple is that here was celebrated the marriage of Lord Subrahmanya with the daughter of Indra, Devayanai. The shrine to Shiva here has been revered by the Tevaram hymns of the Nayanmars.
Festival: Pankuni Uttiram festival of marriage between Lord Murugan and Devayanai.
Thiruchendur
The first temple of this six part series on Lord Muruga's abodes is Tiruchendur. Here, the Lord is known as "Senthil andavar". It is one of the most visited shrines in Tamil Nadu, and, unlike the other abodes which are atop hills, this one is located on the seashore in the southern part of the state. According to the legend, Lord Muruga vanquished the demon Soorapadman and his army, in his fortress Veeramahendram situated in the middle of the ocean near here.
Festivals Twice a year, once in Maasi and once in Aavani, the temple brahmmothsavams are held and they go on for 12 days. On the seventh and eighth days of the festivals, Lord Shanmukha is housed in the Shanmukha Vilaasa mandapam before and after the processions. The ratha festival is conducted on the 10th day and the theppam (float) festival on the following day. In the month of Vaikasi, the Vishaakam festival is celebrated for 12 days.
Palani
The sage Agastya wanted to take two hills Sivagiri and Skathigiri to his abode and a commissioned his disciple Idumban to carry them. Idumban bopre the hills slung to his shoulders in the form of kavadi and when he was exhausted, he placed the kavadi near Palani to take rest.
Same time Lord Muruga had been outwitted in acontest for going around the world. Lord Ganapathi had won the prised fruit by simply going round his parents. Long after this Murugan came sweating on his peacock to find that the prize has already been given to his brother. In anger the child left the dive parents and cane to Tiru Avinankudi Adivaram (it means foot of the Sivagiri Hill). Siva pacified him by saying that he himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge nee-you. Henc the place was called Pazham Nee or Palani. When idumban resumed his journey he could not lift the hill. Murgan had made it impossible for Idumban to make it. In the fierce battler that ensed Idumban was killed but was later on restored to life. Idumban prayed that:
- whosoever carried on his shoulders the Kavadi, signifying the two hills and visited the temple on a vow, should be blessed and
- he should be given the privilege of standing sentinel at the entrance to the hill.
There is aIso a dumban shrine halfway up the hill and since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi.
Swami Malai
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. It has been praised in Tirumurugaatruppadai of the tamil sangam period and by the Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar. Swamimalai is located in the vicinity of the temple town of Kumbhakonam.
Legend 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.
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Tiruttani
Tiruttani is the famous temple dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya, is situated 51 miles away from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated on a small hill, which is reached over a flight of 365 masonry stems. It is one of the six famous abodes of Lord Subrahmanya. It is considered to be the second place of importance by some, while others give it the first place as Lord Subrahmanya resides in blissful repose here, after his marriage with Valli.
Of Lord Murugan's six Padaiveedus, Tirutanikai ranks prominent as the crown jewel of our Lord. As its very name indicates, when we propitiate our Lord in this holy shrine, He blesses us with mental peace and bodily happiness. His righteous indignation towards the asuras for their cruelty is said to have been quelled and cooled at this place which is, therefore, known as Shantipuri (Abode of Peace). As the prayers and desires of the devotees who worship our Lord Tanikesan on this hill with unserving faith and intense devotion are fulfilled in no time, this hill is also called Chanikasalam.
When our Lord came to this hill after wedding Goddess Valli at Vallimalai, She implored Him to enlighten Her on the importance and greatness of this hill. In reply, our Lord said that if one worshipped Him with heart and soul for five consecutive days in this hill temple, that person would be blessed with all that is best in this life and hereafter.
The sacred tanks of the shrines of our Lord are all known as Saravanapoikai ('sacred pond of the reedy marsh' where Lord Karttikeya was born). The tank at Tiruttani, which (unlike in other places) is at the very foot of the hill, is particularly renowned for its sacred water (teertham) having curative effect for ailments both bodily and mental, as it is rich in minerals such as sulfur, iron, etc. A bath in this holy tank refreshes the devotee and makes him hale and healthy to propitiate our Lord with faith and devotion.
Pazhamutircolai
P azhamutircolai 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.