Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple

Coordinates: 12°43′31″N 80°11′20″E / 12.72528°N 80.18889°E / 12.72528; 80.18889
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sri Kandaswamy Temple
Murugan)
Location
LocationThiruporur
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple is located in Tamil Nadu
Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates12°43′31″N 80°11′20″E / 12.72528°N 80.18889°E / 12.72528; 80.18889
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture, Rock cut
Website
thiruporurmurugantemple.tnhrce.in
Part of the series on
Kaumaram
Deities
Murugan
 (Kartikeya)
Parents
Shiva
Parvati
Brother
Ganesha
Consorts
Devasena
Valli
Sacred symbols
Weapons
Vel
Cock flag
Birds
Peacock
Cock
Texts and Scriptures
Six sacred abodes
  • Tirupparamkunram
  • Swamimalai
  • Thiruchendur
  • Palani
  • Thiruthani
  • Pazhamudircholai
Other temples
Festivals

Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple (or Thiruporur Murugan temple or Kanthaswamy temple) in

Murugan. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture
, the temple is believed to have been expanded during the 18th century with the images excavated from Thiruporur.

The temple has a five-tiered gateway tower leading to a pillared halls and the sanctum. The temple is open from 6:30 am – 12:30 pm and 3.30 - 8 pm. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Vaikasi Visagam celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June), Kanthasasti festival and Navarathri festival being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

As per Hindu legend,

Thirupparankundram and in air at Thiruporur. It is believed that sage Agastya on his way to Pothigai hills visited this place. Since Muruga won over Tharuka asuran, this place came to be Porur (por in Tamil means war) and also called by other names like Tharukapuri and Samarapuri. According to the sthala puraanam, at some point of time, the place was submerged in a deluge. A sage named Chidambara Adigal was residing in Madurai and a divine voice asked him to unearth the statue under a palm tree. He dug out the statue and built a temple around it. There is a separate shrine dedicated to him in the temple and he is given special respect during the Vaikasi Visagam festival. During the last event of the festival, he is depicted merging with the presiding deity.[1]

History

Flag pole at the temple

The temple is believed to have been built during the

Sangam age poets, rebuilt the temple during the 17th century.[2] 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.[3] During 2013, as many as 36 acres (15 ha) 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.[2] In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu religious and charitable endowments Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.[4]

Architecture

The temple is located in

Old Mahabalipuram Road, 28 km (17 mi) from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower, raising to a height of 70 ft (21 m) and 200 ft (61 m) wide. The temple covers an area of 4 acres (16,000 m2).[5] The sanctum of the temple is approached through a 24 pillared hall near the gateway tower. The temple tank is located outside the temple. The sanctum is built with granite, which houses the image of Murugan in the form of Kandaswamy in standing posture. The sanctum faces East and the image of the presiding deity is 7 ft (2.1 m) tall. The image is sported with two hands with one of them holding Vel (divine spear), and an image of peacock besides the presiding deity. There are separate shrines of his consorts Valli and Deivaanai around the first precinct. There is a separate shrine for Shiva and Parvathi and all the Parsvatah Devatas (attendant deities) associated with Shiva temples.[1][6]

Religious significance

Kandaswamy is revered by Chidambara Swamigal in 726 verses. The image of Muruga is believed to have been discovered under a palm leaf. There is a palm leaf maintained in the temple, which is believed to have been the original palm leaf.

Thiru pugazh. He has mentioned that Shiva is the head of all Vedas, the sacred texts. Bala deva raya has mentioned Kandaswamy as "Samara puri vaazh Shan mugatthu arase" in his works in Kanda Shasti Kavasam.[1]

Festivals and religious practises

The image of Kandaswamy is believed to have originated on its own and hence ablution is not done to the presiding deity as with the other temples. There is an yantra over a Tortoise base where all the rituals are performed.[1] The temple is open from 5:30 am – 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm on all days except during festive occasions when it has extended timings. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The four major rituals in the day include

  • Kaalai sandhi at 9 a.m.,
  • Ucchi kaala Pooja at 12 p.m.,
  • Saaya ratchai at 5:30 p.m. and
  • Raakkaalam at 8 p.m.[7]

The major festivals of the temple include Vaigaasi Visaagam celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaigaasi (May–June), Maasi Bramorchavam during"Maasi" Month (March), Paalkudam / Paal Kaavadi Festival (Milk Pot) on Pongal (Tamil Harvesting festival), Kandha shashti festival and Nava rathri during Aippasi (October–November).[1][8]

Gallery

  • Thiruporur sculpture pallavas
    Thiruporur sculpture pallavas
  • Lord Kandaswamy during Sashti
    Lord Kandaswamy during Sashti
  • Urchavar Veedhi Ula
    Urchavar Veedhi Ula
  • Thiruporur Kandasamy urchavar
    Thiruporur Kandasamy urchavar
  • Sactum Santorium Entrance thiruporur
    Sactum Santorium Entrance thiruporur
  • Maasi Bhramorchavam
    Maasi Bhramorchavam
  • Maasi Bhramorchavam
    Maasi Bhramorchavam
  • Maasi Bhramorchavam - Tank lighting
    Maasi Bhramorchavam - Tank lighting
  • The temple tank, located opposite to the temple
    The temple tank, located opposite to the temple
  • Devotees awaiting to start palkudam Jan 2020
    Devotees awaiting to start palkudam Jan 2020
  • Palkudam by devotees
    Palkudam by devotees

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Sri Kandaswamy Temple". Dinamalar. 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b J.V., Siva Prasanna Kumar (12 July 2013). "Rs 100 cr Kandaswamy temple lands recovered". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  3. ^ D., Madhavan (11 December 2013). "Only puja objects unearthed at Tiruporur temple". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Arulmigu Kandaswamy Temple - Official Details". Hindu Religious and Endowment Board, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  5. ^ C., Dr.Chandramouli (2003). Temples of Tamil Nadu - Kancheepuram district. Chennai: Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu.
  6. ^ Virupa, Kumaresan, ed. (2014). பல்நோக்குப் பார்வையில் முருகத் தத்துவம் II: Proceedings of the International Conference on Murugabhakthi 2014. Thirumurugan Thiruvakku Thirupeedam. pp. 1048–49.
  7. ^ "Arulmigu Kandaswamy Temple - Pooja Details". Hindu Religious and Endowment Board, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Tirupporur Subramanyar Temple, Tirupporur".
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