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.
Originally,
the shrine was a rock cut
structure cut out of a hill
and later, it was renovated
with granite. The gopuram
is an imposing 137 feet in
height and is visible for
miles.
The
Shanmukha Vilaasa Mandapam,with
carved pillars, stands in
front of the temple. The temple
has two prakarams - the sanctum
to Subramanyar (moolavar)
is located inside the innermost
mandapam. The cave-like panchalingam
shrine is situated right next
to the shrine. It is believed
that it was here that Subramanya
worshipped Lord Shiva.
Next
to the Subramanyar's sannadhi
is the sannadi of Senthil
aandavar - this houses the
uthsava moorthi of Lord Subramanya
along with his Consorts, Valli
and Deivanai. The inner most
prakaram facing south is that
of Aarumugaswamy. This prakaram
also contains the images of
63 nayanmars, and shrines
to Natarajar, Karaikkal Ammaiyaar
and others
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.
In
the month of Aippasi, Kandha
Sashti festival is celebrated
with great pomp and the Soora
Samharam, when Muruga married
Deivanai, is enacted on the
seashore. Devasena is enacted.
