Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is one of the most esteemed religious places of south India. Located right on the beach of Tuticorin District, it attracts millions of devotees over the year paying respect to the in-house deity of Lord Murugan, the Tamil version of Lord Kartikeya. The temple has a very interesting history rooted in the legend of Lord Murugan’s first battle, which was also the purpose of his birth. The temple hosts a number of festivals throughout the year when devotees can make offerings to the god, the most important and popular one being Skanda festival during October-November marking the victory in the battle of Thiruchendur. It is one of the few temples in India which has various forms and avatars of both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva together. Being located within 200 metres of the sea, it is a miracle that the temple premise is never flooded – not even during the Tsunami.

The mighty temple also does social services like running an orphanage, sponsoring education for the needy and conduction of marriages for the poor at minimal cost. People who belong to any other religion other than Hinduism are also allowed to enter with a donation of INR 20.

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple Timings

The puja timings of the temple are 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The pujas of each hour have different names and purpose.

Subrapadam – Thirupalli Eluchi- 5:10 AM
Viswaroopam Darshan- 5:30 AM
Dwajasthamba Namaskaram- 5:45 AM
Udaya Marthanda Abishegam- 6:15 AM
Udaya Marthanda Deeparadhanai- 7:00 AM
Kalasandhi Pooja- 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Kalasha Pooja- 10:00 AM
Uchikala Abishegam- 10:30 AM
Uchikala Deeparadhanai- 12:00 PM
Sayaratchai Pooja- 5:00 PM
Arthasama Abishegam- 7:15 PM
Arthasama Pooja- 8:15 PM
Ekanda Seva- 8:30 PM
Ragasia Deeparadhanai, Palliarai Pooja- 8:45 PM
Nadai Thirukappiduthal- 9:00 PM

Festivals Celebrated in Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

Masi and Avani festivals: Twice a year, the temple brahmotsavams are held for 12 long days. Masi is held during February-March and Avani is held during August-September. In both the festivals, the Lord’s deity is taken out during the 7th, 8th and 9th day and housed in the Shanmukha Vilasa Mandapam for all the devotees to have a glimpse and pay respects.  On the 10th day, the deity is taken out for a procession of temple cars into the city.
In the Avani festival, only two cars are there, whereas in Masi all three of them are out. The Theppam floating takes place on the 11th day of the Masi festival. People come in hundreds and thousands to celebrate these festivals in the temple and have a view of the Lord.

Vasant Festival: In the month of Chittirai (April-May), the ten days long Vasant festival takes place in the temple. The deity of Murugan and his consorts Valli and Deivanai are taken out of their respective sanctums and placed in the Vasanta Mantap for the gathered devotees to view and offer prayers.

Vaikasi Visagam: On the Visakam day, Special Abishegam for Lord Shanmuga is performed and during the night time, the procession of the lord and his consorts takes place. It is usually held in the month of May-June.

Skanda Sasti Festival: Held during October-November for 7 days, this festival marks the defeat of the demon king Surapadma in the hands of Murugan. Devotees gather in lakhs during this main festival of the temple. On the sixth day, Soorasamharam, a folk-dance representation of the battle between the two is enacted for the devotees. On the seventh, the wedding between Murugan and Deivanai is celebrated.