Hello Everyone!
I have started this blog in reverence to Lord Subramanya(Lord Karthikeya or Lord Murugan) who is in my opinion the epitome of mercy and strength.
A humble introduction to the infallible and omnipresent Lord of Lords,
Lord Subramanya,son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is also known by many names, Subramaniam, Sanmukha, Shadanana, Skanda and Guha. He is considered as the God of War as he was created to destroy the demons representing the negative tendencies of human behavior.The tendencies being Kaama(Lust, Krodha(Anger),Lobha(Greed), Moha(Passion), Mada(Ego), and Matsarya(Jealousy)(Subhamoy Das)
Lord Subramanya in many traditions is seen as a bachelor. Majorly because of the events in Lord Subramanya's Life taking place during His youth. In other traditions, He is married to Goddess Valli and Goddess Deivayanai.[Murugan. (2013, February 9)]
There are many temples dedicated to the Lord, I have listed a few of them here, will try to get some more as and when I find them.
In South India,
Karnataka:
Tamil Nadu:
In Tamil Nadu, there are many temples for Lord Muruga, but there are 6 Sacred Temples which are famous as the Arupadaiveedu (six abodes).
They are(I am not sure of the order, so please forgive me if they are not in the correct order):
The temples list is from Six Abodes of Murugan. (2013, March 21).
Palani Murugan Temple
The Palani Temple is one of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu for Lord Subramanya. The Lord here is standing in the form of a sage and has left all materialistic aspects of life. Here, as Legend has it, anyone who comes with a Kavadi to the hill with a vow, their boons are granted. The idol of the Lord is worshiped daily with Abhishekam, and is revered to by many devotees. To know more about the Lord here, please click here.(Das)
Swamimalai
Swamimalai is a small town in Tamil Nadu famous for the temple of Lord Subramanya. The uniqueness of the temple is, the Lord here is in the form of a Guru and Lord Shiva is in the form of a Shishya. According to lore, Lord Brahma and Lord Subramanya had a debate over the meaning of "AUM", and Lord Brahma was defeated. Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti objected towards it and Lord Shiva then questioned His son whether He(Lord Subramanya) knew about the meaning of AUM which He said would be answered only if Lord Shiva would accept Him as His(Lord Shiva's) Guru. To which Lord Shiva agreed and thus the name "Thagapan Swami".To know more about this holy temple, please click here.(Das)
Thiruthani
Thiruthani is one of the six abodes of Sri Subramanya which is unique to its legend as it has been visited by Rama and then Arjuna in Dwaparyuga. The temple has a White Elephant(Airavatha) gifted by Lord Indra as Sri Subramanyar married Deivayanai. The idol of the Lord has a hollow chest region as it is said that Lord Vishnu got his Sudarshana Chakra from Sri Subramanyar.("Śrī Subrahmanya Swāmi," )
To know more about this temple please click here.
Pazhamudircholai
This temple is known for the game played by Sri Subramanyar with Awaiyar(a great Tamil poet). It is said that when she was travelling, she rested under a tree full of fruits when a boy came and asked her if she needed any fruits, Awaiyar, tired from the journey asked the little boy to fetch him some fruits. The boy asked her whether she wanted roasted or non roasted fruits, Awaiyar having immense spiritual knowledge thought that the little boy did not understand the concept of fruits and asked him to give her unroasted fruits. The boy shook the tree and the fruits fell onto the mud, Awaiyar blew the mud off the fruit to eat the fruits when the boy asked whether the fruit was hot(since we blow off heat on hot dishes), this comparison made her realize that the boy was no ordinary boy and when she asked him who He was, Sri Subramanyar appeared. To know more about this temple, please click here.(Krishnan)
Thiruchendur
Thiruchendur is located near Tirunelveli (55km) and the nearest railway junction is Tirunelveli. The temple has much significance as it is considered the second in the Arupadiveedus. The Vibhuti here is very famous especially if on a Panneer leaf. It is supposed to be curative just by the sight of it which is praised by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Subramanyar is in the praying position here, praying to Lord Shiva after killing Surapadma.
The greatest evident miracle is the fact that the temple was saved from the 2004 Tsunami inspite the fact that the temple is situated so close to the Sea.(Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple)
To know more about this great temple, please click here.
Thiruparamkunram
Thiruparamkunram is according to the Legends the place where Deivayanai(Daughter of Lord Indra-King of Gods)
and Sri Subramanyar got married. The temple is huge and offers mystic beauty. Sri Subramanyar is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here as Parangirinathar.
The temple is situated close to Madurai, India(about 8Kms) and is easily accessible by local bus transport.( Das)
To know more about this temple please click here.
References:
I have started this blog in reverence to Lord Subramanya(Lord Karthikeya or Lord Murugan) who is in my opinion the epitome of mercy and strength.
A humble introduction to the infallible and omnipresent Lord of Lords,
Lord Subramanya,son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is also known by many names, Subramaniam, Sanmukha, Shadanana, Skanda and Guha. He is considered as the God of War as he was created to destroy the demons representing the negative tendencies of human behavior.The tendencies being Kaama(Lust, Krodha(Anger),Lobha(Greed), Moha(Passion), Mada(Ego), and Matsarya(Jealousy)(Subhamoy Das)
Lord Subramanya in many traditions is seen as a bachelor. Majorly because of the events in Lord Subramanya's Life taking place during His youth. In other traditions, He is married to Goddess Valli and Goddess Deivayanai.[Murugan. (2013, February 9)]
Thiagupillai. (Photographer). (2010). Palani thanga poguram. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gopuramgold.JPG
(n.d.). b72. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.palanitemples.com/english/muruga_gallery.htm
There are many temples dedicated to the Lord, I have listed a few of them here, will try to get some more as and when I find them.
In South India,
Karnataka:
- Kukke Subramanya- The temple of Kukke Subramanya located in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka is one of the most famous temples in Karanataka, where people from all over the world come to pray and receive His blessings. It is said that bathing in the Sri Kumaradhara river cures many diseases. Devotees here are known to perform a string of Pujas including Ashlesha Bali,Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha.( Kukke Temple)To know more about how to get to Kukke, and the various Pujas performed in the temple, click here.
- Ghati Subramanya- The temple of Ghati Subramanya is located near Bangalore, in a city called Doddaballapura. It is famous in Bangalore especially with the Tamilians as Sri Subramanya is a prominent God in Tamil Nadu. The uniqueness of the temple is that both Lord Subramanya and Lord Lakshmi Narasimha(behind Sri Subramanya) are present in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple. Sri Subramanya here is gracious to His devotees and is believed to grant wishes such as a compatible partner, a child for the childless couple.( MUDDE, 2011) To know more about the temple and directions to the temple, please click here.
- Sri Mathithaleswara-The temple for Sri Mathithaleswara is located in Malavalli, Karnataka. He is tucked away in a remote location but reaching this temple is easy by car.Buses do ply from Bangalore to Malavalli, but is pretty tedious to go by bus. The Lord here too is Sri Subramanya in the form of a Linga, He is very benevolent and has cured many people of skin diseases.
In Tamil Nadu, there are many temples for Lord Muruga, but there are 6 Sacred Temples which are famous as the Arupadaiveedu (six abodes).
They are(I am not sure of the order, so please forgive me if they are not in the correct order):
The temples list is from Six Abodes of Murugan. (2013, March 21).
Palani Murugan Temple
The Palani Temple is one of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu for Lord Subramanya. The Lord here is standing in the form of a sage and has left all materialistic aspects of life. Here, as Legend has it, anyone who comes with a Kavadi to the hill with a vow, their boons are granted. The idol of the Lord is worshiped daily with Abhishekam, and is revered to by many devotees. To know more about the Lord here, please click here.(Das)
Swamimalai
Swamimalai is a small town in Tamil Nadu famous for the temple of Lord Subramanya. The uniqueness of the temple is, the Lord here is in the form of a Guru and Lord Shiva is in the form of a Shishya. According to lore, Lord Brahma and Lord Subramanya had a debate over the meaning of "AUM", and Lord Brahma was defeated. Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti objected towards it and Lord Shiva then questioned His son whether He(Lord Subramanya) knew about the meaning of AUM which He said would be answered only if Lord Shiva would accept Him as His(Lord Shiva's) Guru. To which Lord Shiva agreed and thus the name "Thagapan Swami".To know more about this holy temple, please click here.(Das)
Thiruthani
Thiruthani is one of the six abodes of Sri Subramanya which is unique to its legend as it has been visited by Rama and then Arjuna in Dwaparyuga. The temple has a White Elephant(Airavatha) gifted by Lord Indra as Sri Subramanyar married Deivayanai. The idol of the Lord has a hollow chest region as it is said that Lord Vishnu got his Sudarshana Chakra from Sri Subramanyar.("Śrī Subrahmanya Swāmi," )
To know more about this temple please click here.
Pazhamudircholai
This temple is known for the game played by Sri Subramanyar with Awaiyar(a great Tamil poet). It is said that when she was travelling, she rested under a tree full of fruits when a boy came and asked her if she needed any fruits, Awaiyar, tired from the journey asked the little boy to fetch him some fruits. The boy asked her whether she wanted roasted or non roasted fruits, Awaiyar having immense spiritual knowledge thought that the little boy did not understand the concept of fruits and asked him to give her unroasted fruits. The boy shook the tree and the fruits fell onto the mud, Awaiyar blew the mud off the fruit to eat the fruits when the boy asked whether the fruit was hot(since we blow off heat on hot dishes), this comparison made her realize that the boy was no ordinary boy and when she asked him who He was, Sri Subramanyar appeared. To know more about this temple, please click here.(Krishnan)
Thiruchendur
Thiruchendur is located near Tirunelveli (55km) and the nearest railway junction is Tirunelveli. The temple has much significance as it is considered the second in the Arupadiveedus. The Vibhuti here is very famous especially if on a Panneer leaf. It is supposed to be curative just by the sight of it which is praised by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Subramanyar is in the praying position here, praying to Lord Shiva after killing Surapadma.
The greatest evident miracle is the fact that the temple was saved from the 2004 Tsunami inspite the fact that the temple is situated so close to the Sea.(Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple)
To know more about this great temple, please click here.
Thiruparamkunram
Thiruparamkunram is according to the Legends the place where Deivayanai(Daughter of Lord Indra-King of Gods)
and Sri Subramanyar got married. The temple is huge and offers mystic beauty. Sri Subramanyar is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here as Parangirinathar.
The temple is situated close to Madurai, India(about 8Kms) and is easily accessible by local bus transport.( Das)
To know more about this temple please click here.
References:
- [Subhamoy Das. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://hinduism.about.com/od/godsgoddesses/p/kartikeya.htm].
- Das, R. K. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://murugan.org/temples/palani.htm
- Das, R. K. [Web log message]. Retrieved from Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple, Swamimalai
- [Web log message]. Retrieved from Śrī Subrahmanya Swāmi Kovil, Tiruttani
- Krishnan, V. R. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://murugan.org/temples/palamuthircolai.htm
- Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.tiruchendurmurugan.com/
- Das, R. K. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://murugan.org/temples/parankundram.htm
- Kukke Temple. (n.d.). Kukke sree subrahmanya. Retrieved from http://www.kukketemple.com/
- MUDDE, R. (2011, June 17). Ghati sri subramanya temple, doddaballapura. Retrieved from http://www.karnataka.com/bangalore/ghati-subramanya-temple/
- In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:22, April 6, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Six_Abodes_of_Murugan&oldid=546076847
- [Murugan. (2013, February 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:54, February 10, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murugan&oldid=537418509].
