Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple – Andaman and Nicobar

Address

Shadipur, Port Blair,

Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744106

Moolavar

Vetrimalai Murugan

Introduction

Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, located in Port Blair, which is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. This temple, dedicated to the deity Murugan, is an important pilgrimage site for the islands. It is a center of festivities during important festivals through the year.

Puranic Significance

Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple at Port Blair is the biggest pilgrim site of the Andaman Island s for its spectacular nuances of Dravidian architecture and intricate artwork that leave one spellbound as soon as one steps into the temple arcade. Situated behind the governor place, Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan or Karthikeyan- the son of Lord Shiva who is one of the most revered deities of the Tamil folks.

The history of Sri Vetrimalai Murugan temple dates back to the time of pre-independent India which hails as an insignia of India’s rich cultural diversity. The temple was built in 1926 in the Ross Islands by the British rulers to win the loyalty of the Tamilians. Later its venue was shifted to the capital city Port Blair post-independence. Thousands of pilgrims visit this colossal sanctum to participate in the main festivals-Panguni Uthram, Kanda Shasthi and Thai Poosam. The typical Dravidian architecture and paintings on the interior of the temple resemble those in the Kanda Kotta temple at Chennai in Tamil Nadu.