Six Abodes of Murugan

Six Abodes of Murugan
Āṟupaṭaīvīṭukaḷ
Painting of Murugan, c. 1930. Pazhamudircholai
State	Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Architecture
Type	Dravidian architecture
Temple(s)	6

The Six Abodes of Murugan (

The legend of Murugan is described in the

One of the main traditions of the six temples, is the tonsuring of devotees, who vow to discard their hair in imitation of the Palani deity. Another is the anointing of the head of the presiding deity's idol with sandalwood paste, at night, prior to the temple being closed for the day. The paste, upon being allowed to stay overnight, is said to acquire medicinal properties, and is much sought after and distributed to devotees, as rakkāla chandaṇam.^[9] A commonly followed worship practice involves devotees wearing ochre clothes and carrying a kavadi, an ornamental mount decked with flowers, glazed paper, and tinsel work, on foot for long distances.^[10]

Temple	Original name	Location	Picture	Description
Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple, Thiruparankundram	Tenparangunram தென்பரங்குன்றம் Teṉparaṅkuṉṟam	Thiruparankundram, Madurai district		Located on the outskirts of Nakkeerar is regarded to have worshipped Murugan in this shrine and is said to have worshipped Shiva here as Parangirinathar. This is the first of the Arupadaiveedu.
Arulmigu Subramanya Swami Temple, Tiruchendur	Trichiralaiwai திருச்சீரலைவாய் Tiruccīralaivāy	Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district		Located on the seashore near Thoothukudi amongst the remains of the Gandhamadana mountain or Santhanamalai (Sandal Mountain). The temple commemorates the place where Murugan won a decisive victory over the devil Surapadman by worshipping his father Shiva.
Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani	Tiruvavinankudi திருவாவினன்குடி Tiruvāviṉaṉkuṭi	Palani, Dindigul district		Located in Dindigul District, on the Palani hill ( Malai Adivaram ) called 'Thiruaavinankudi', where the deity is known as 'Kulanthai Velayuthaswami' and is said to have been worshipped by the goddess Lakshmi ('Thiru' in Tamil), owner of cows ('Aavinan' in Tamil), living place ('kudi' in Tamil). The Murugan temple on the Palani hilltop where 'Dhandayuthapani' is the main deity, in a meditating state, carrying a staff ('danda') as a weapon ('ayudha') in his hands ('pani'). This is the place where Murugan is said to have reconciled after his feud with his family over a divine fruit.
Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai	Thiruveragam திருவேரகம் Tiruvērakam	Swamimalai, Thanjavur district		Located at 5 km from Kumbakonam, the temple is built on an artificial hill. The temple commemorates the incident where Murugan is regarded to have explained the essence of the Pranava mantra "Om" to his father Shiva.
Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple, Tiruttani	Kundrottal குன்றுதோறாடல் Kuṉṟutōṟāṭal	Thiruvallur district		Located near Chennai, Murugan is said to have reclaimed his inner peace after winning a war over the devils and married Valli here.
Arulmigu Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai	Solaimalai சோலைமலை Cōlaimalai	Pazhamudircholai, Madurai district		Located on the outskirts of Madurai on a hillock with a holy stream nearby called "Nupura Gangai". Murugan is seen here with both his consorts, Devasena and Valli.