Tiruchendur Temple
Tiruchendur being the second abode of one of the six chosen spots of Lord Muruga is situated 40 KMs South of Tuticorin on the banks of beautiful seashore.
It is 56 KMs away from Tirunelveli and some 88 KMs away from Kanyakumari. Since Lord Muruga has encamped here along with His army to defeat Surapadma this place has become a padai veedu.
The other names for Tiruchendur are Thirucheeralaivai, Jayanthipuram, Thirubhuvana Madevi and Sathurvedi Mangalam. There is a remarkable spring of fresh crystal water in a stone receptacle known as Nazhik Kinaru.
The Hill on which Lord Muruga is consecrated at Tiruchendur is called Chandana Hill. Kandapuranam glorifies this Hill as “Kanda madana Parvatham”. As years passed by the sandal wood trees have extricated. This Hill is on the shores of pearls-enriched sea. In Agananooru this place is mentioned as “blend of Marutham and Kurunchi “.
An Asura by name Surapadma was ruling Veera Mahandrapuri, an island fortress, as his Capital. He performed many austerities invoking Lord Siva and Lord Siva granted him many boons. Later he became arrogant and captured three worlds and made the Heavenly immortals to do menial task Devas were unable to bear his torture and complained to Lord Siva. Lord Siva opened His frontal eye to create a son to kill the asuras. Six sparks of fire where issued from the frontal eye of Lord Siva. The divine sparks of grace were received by river Ganges through Agni, the God of Fire and passed on to the Himalayan lake Saravana Poigai. Here they were transformed into six babes.
These babes were suckled by the six Kirithika nymphs. Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi Devi came to Saravana Poigai. When the Goddess Uma fondly clasped the babes, they became Lord Arumuga with six faces and twelve arms. When the child Arumuga had grown into a youth God, Lord Siva asked Him to destroy asuras and free Devas from their cruel bondage. Lord Muruga reached Tiruchendur with his huge army and encamped. On sixth day in the battle between Lord Muruga and Surapadma, the lance of Lord Muruga pierced and broke it in twain. The broken pieces instantly transformed themselves into a mighty Peacock and a Chanticleer. Lord Muruga took Peacock as his vahana and Chanticleer on his banner.
After Surasamharam, Lord Muruga desired to worship his father Lord Siva. Hence Mayan, the divine architect constructed these shrines at Tiruchendur. Even now Lord Subramaniyan is seen in the posture of worshiping Lord Siva in the Sanctum sanctorum.
The temple has a Rajagopuram with a height of 137 feet and breadth of 90 feet. The total area of the temple and its surroundings is 1, 26,507 Sq. feet. Normally the Raja Gopuram will be in the eastern side of the temples in Tamilnadu. But in Tiruchendur alone the Raja Gopuram is in the western side.
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