Thiruporur Kandaswamy Temple, Chengalpattu

Address

Thiruporur Kandaswamy Temple Thiruporur, Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu- 603110 Mobile: +91 44- 2744 6226, 90031 27288

Diety

Kandaswamy

Introduction

Kandaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan located in Thiruporur Town in Thiruporur Taluk in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated at the foot hill of the Pranava Mountain. The temple is considered as Thirupugazh Sthalam as the presiding deity is praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh hymns. The temple is currently maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.

Puranic Significance

The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old. The temple was believed to be built by Pallavas. An inscription found on the stone pillar in this temple bears two honorific title of Rajasimha Pallava (Narasimhavarman II) namely Atyantakama and Atiranachanda. The temple also contains a 12th century CE inscription of Vikrama Chola in the shrine of Devasena. The temple was dilapidated and lost to the nature fury and Islamic invasion. The temple was rediscovered and renovated by Sir Chidambara Swamigal. The descendants of Chidambara Swamigal followed up the religious service and brought it to the present day fame. An effort was made to dig up a room in the temple by archaeologists during 2013, which yielded only items used during rituals and not any archaeological artifact. During 2013, as many as 36 acres belonging to the temple located at Thandalam that was leased earlier, was recovered from the land grabbers. The recovered land was valued at ₹100 crores. The temple is currently maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu. Arcot Nawab daughter got cure from her stomach pain: Thiruporur was under the control of Arcot Nawab during 17th century CE. His daughter was suffering from severe stomach pain. Even, his royal physicians could not able to treat her. His minister suggested that the ruler should seek the blessings of the Sri Chidambaram Swamigal of Thiruporur for relief. As all his efforts failed to cure his daughter made the Muslim ruler to prostrate before Chidambaram Swamigal along with his daughter for relief. When Sri Chidambara Swamigal applied the sacred ash to his daughter’s body, she was cured instantly. Thiruporur: As per legend, Lord Murugan waged the war against the demons in three places namely Thiruchendur, Thiruparankundram and Thiruporur. Lord Murugan fought with demons in sea at Thiruchendur, in land at Thiruparankundram and in air at Thiruporur. It is believed that Lord Muruga fought with Tharakasura in this place and slayed him. Hence, the place came to be called as Porur / Poriyur (war). The place also called as Tharukapuri, Yuddhapuri and Samarapuri. Pranava Malai: As per legend, Lord Murugan along with his consorts Valli & Devasena granted protection to Devas and taught them the meaning of Pranava here. It is also believed that Lord Murugan taught the meaning of Pranava to Sage Agastya during his visit here while he was on his way to Podhigai hills. It is said that the concept of Pranava is born here. Hence, the hill behind the temple came to be called as Pranava Malai. Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi got relief from the curse of Kanva Rishi: Once, Kanva Rishi cursed Lord Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu along with his consort Lakshmi worshipped Vanmeeganathar in this temple. Lord Shiva appeared before them and liberated them from their curse. Vanmeeganathar: As per legend, Lord Murugan worshipped Vanmeeganathar to get rid of the sin of having killed Surapadman. Valliyar Odai / Shanmuga Theertham: As per legend, Valliyar Odai (Shanmuga Theertham) was formed when the spear of Lord Murugan pierced the earth and water came gushing out.

Special Features

This temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram on the southern side. The Rajagopuram is about 70 ft. (21 m) tall and 200 ft. (61 m) wide. The temple covers an area of 4 acres. The temple is situated at the foot hill of the Pranava Mountain. The sanctum of the temple is approached through a 24 pillared hall near the gateway. The Sanctum houses two presiding deities namely Periyavar and Chinnavar. Periyavar is housed in the sanctum inside the anthill. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The anthill is covered with a Kavacham (armour). No abhishekam is performed to this deity. He is garlanded with leaves of the Vilva tree. There is an idol of Lord Murugan in Brahma Sastha form can be seen in a small platform beneath the Swayambhu Moorthy. He is praised as Chinnavar. He is gracing the devotees along with his consorts Valli & Devasena on both sides. It is said that these idols were made by Chidambaram Swamigal for performing abhisheka and aaradhana. Ganesha, Kukuda Dhwajar (Lord Murugan with a flag of Kukuda (rooster) in his hand), Dhandayudhapani, Vishnu and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Elephant mount and Balipeedam can be seen in front of the sanctum. Shrines of Agastya, Nagaraja, Veerabahu, Veerabhadra, Pancha Loha Vinayaga, Chandrasekarar, Somaskanda, Brahma, Devendra, Nandi, Dwani Chandikeswarar, Mathru Chandikeswarar, Astradevar and Upadesa Moorthy can be seen in the inner prakaram around the sanctum. Sri Chidambara Swamigal had installed a Yantra for performing Poojas as the poojas cannot be done to the presiding deity. The Yantra established by Chidambaram Swamigal can be found in the northeast of the temple on a platform with Kurma, Ashta Gaja, Ashta Naga and ganas with 300 names of Lord Murugan engraved on it. Daily pujas are performed to this Yantra. Paintings depicting the life of Chidambaram Swamigal can be seen in the temple. There is a shrine for Utsava Idol of Upadesa Moorthy in the inner prakaram. This shrine houses Lord Murugan in the form of a child, expounding the meaning of the oneness of creation (Ohm) to his father Lord Shiva. Lord Murugan can be seen sitting in the lap of Lord Shiva facing him. There is a shrine for Utsava Idol of Samhara Muthukumara Swamy in the temple premises. He is seen resting his right leg on peacock and holding bow & arrow. He is depicted as if he was ready for the war with the Asuras. There are separate shrines of his consorts Valli and Deivanai around the inner prakaram. There is a Mandapa in front of Devasena Shrine. It is believed that functions like ear boring, head trouncing as offering to the Lord, conducting marriages etc., in this mandapa bring sacred blessings. The 24 pillared halls and the 30 pillared circular halls are other features of this temple. Sculptures of Lord Gnana Skanda gracing Agastya, Ajaroodar, Marriage of Valli with Murugan and various forms of Lord Murugan can be seen in the Sarva Vadya Mandapam. There are shrines for Vinayagar, Suryan, Saneeswarar, Sri Chidambara Swamigal, Vanmeeganathar, Punniya Karunya Amman, Bhairavar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Vanni Mara Vinayagar and Idumban in the outer prakaram. There is a shrine to Vembadi Vinayaka under a neem tree. Theerthams associated with this temple are Valliyar Odai (Shanmuga Theertham), Saravana Poigai, Pranavamiratnam and Velayudha Pushkarni. Saravana Poigai and Valliyar Odai are situated on the southern side of the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni tree. It is situated in the outer prakaram.

Festivals

Tamil New Year Day, Pranava Malai Thirupadi Utsavam, Vasantha Utsavam & Thirukalyanam Utsavam during Chithirai (Apr-May), Chidambara Swamigal Gurupoojai & Visakam during Vaikasi (May-Jun), Aani Thirumanjanam during Aani (Jun-Jul), Vinayagar Chathurthi & 3 days Pavithra Utsavam during Aavani (Aug-Sep), Navaratri, Saraswathi Pooja & Vijayadashami during Purattasi (Sep-Oct), Annabishekam, Skanda Sashti & Deepavali during Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Karthigai Deepam, Karthikai Somavaram & 10 days Manickavasagar Utsavam during Karthigai (Nov-Dec), Dhanur Masa Pooja & Thiruvadhirai during Margazhi (Dec-Jan), Thaipoosam during Thai (Jan-Feb), and 10 days Masi Brahmotsavam during Masi (Feb-Mar) are the festivals celebrated here.