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| Location |
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Kancheepuram. |
| Main Deity |
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Murugan. |
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Nearest Town : Kancheepuram
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District : Kancheepuram
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State : Tamil Nadu
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This Muruga temple is between Kamakottam and Ekambaranatha shrine. While all the Devas paid homage to Muruga, only Brahma neglected and went on his way. This naturally irked Muruga and he summoned Brahma and asked for the meaning of ‘OM’. Brahma could give no proper reply to this sacred word. Muruga chastised him as to how he can administer the function of Creation without knowing the meaning of the word ‘OM’. Muruga imprisoned Brahma and took over the work of Creation himself. The devas of the celestial world rushed to Siva, father of Muruga and complained about the action of Muruga. Siva sent for Muruga and asked him whether he knew the meaning. Promptly retorted Muruga that he will explain the meaning if only Siva approached him as a disciple. Siva took Muruga on his shoulders – a higher position – from where Muruga whispered the meaning in the ears of Siva. Siva was delighted. But whatever it is, the sin of not respecting his father lay on him and to get rid of that he was asked to worship a Linga. Muruga established a Linga between his mother’s place and father’s abode (Kamakottam and Ekambaram) and worshipped it. That is why Kumarakottam is facing west. I.e. towards his father who is, facing east is Ekambaram. This Kumarakottam is also called Devasenapathisam.
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In the inside prakaram is Santana Ganapathi and on an artificial hill to the north is Dandayuthapani. Look at the Ardha Mandapa. That is the sanctum of Devasenapathisar. In this circuit to the south is south facing Vinayagar and the west facing image of Kachiappar. Here is Arumugam as festival idol facing south. Next is Bairavar. Next to him we can have a darshan of Vishnu. It was he who begged Siva to release Brahma, when he was imprisoned by Muruga. His heart melted at the fate of Brahma and hence here he got the name “Urugum Ullathan”: Somaskandar, Nava virar, Muthukumarsamy and Gajavalli – all these festival idols are kept here. In the eastern part of this circuit Valli in the north end and Deivayani in the south end are stationed. In the middle is Navagraha sannadhi.
In the sanctum, Muruga is seated pose. Valli, Deivayani are absent here, but their festival idols are kept here. In accordance with the function of Creation he has assumed, his right arm is in Abaya pose, the upper hand holds the rosary the lower left arm is on the thigh in Katyavailambita pose with the left arm holding the Kamandalam. The posture is also called Brahma chattam. Here only honey is used for ablutions. When we come out after worshipping the Main Deity, we can see the festival idols. In the front part of the temple in the mirror, room one can see the marble figure of Ramalinga Swamigal.
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To the left is Varasiddi Vinayagar blessing all and an Anjeneya in a pillar of the sixteen column mandapa. Visaka star belongs to Muruga and in the month of Vaikasi on full moon day, a great festival takes place for Muruga. Besides this, Adi Krithigai, Kanda Shasti and some other festivals too are performed for Muruga here. Crowds gather on every Tuesday, that day being a favorite for Muruga.
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