Lord Muruga

Lord Muruga son of Lord SIVA and Goddess PARVATHY  is the most revered deity of Tamil people.HE is also known as Karthikeya ,Arumuga , Shanmuga , Subramania , Kandha, Kathirvela , Guha, Kumara  and worshipped by all Hindus

not only in India but also in other countries also.

The six most blessed abodes of Lord Muruga as mentioned in Sangam literature THIRUMURUGATU PADAI written by NAKKERAR and THIRUPUZHAL written by ARUNAIGRINATHAR are 1) Thiruparankundam ,2) Thiruchendur 3) Thiruavinankudy alias Palani 4), Thiruveragam alias Swamimalai 5) Thirutani alias Kuntuthoradal and 6) Palamuthircholai,In addition to the above mentioned six shrines as per the ancient literature , number of ancient temples are there for Lord Muruga in India and also in neighbouring countries.

Muruga the earliest and sublimest  Tamilian concept of God  has been  cherished and venerated in the Tamil  as“SUBRAHMANIAM” which means that- He is all presiding sprit of the universe, the essence from which all things are evolved, by which they are sustained and into which they are involved. 

 Lord Muruga stands as a unique blend of beauty, power, valour and grace. Famous poets like  Nakkerar , Arunaigrinathar, Kumara Gurubarar , Bagati koothar , Thandayuthepani Swamigal , Ramalinga Swamigal , Sri Pamban Swamigal are a few noted devotees who have sung about His glory after personnally experiencing  his Grace. The religion which speaks about Muruga is called GOWMARAM which is one of the six saiva religions

  

The puranic account regarding his birth runs as follows .The DEVAS were hard pressed by Asuras-Surapadma and his brothers.

 Devas appealed to Lord Siva in Kalias for deliverance  from Asuras. Lord Siva conceding their request  decided to create a supreme power. 

Six sparks of fire issued from the frontal eye Lord Shiva were received by Agni, the God of fire and cast into Ganges from which they passed into Himalayan lake Saravanai    Here, they were transformed into six babes who were suckled by six Krithika nymphs and  on being fondled and clasped into one child by name Kandan by Goddess Parvathi, the divine inseparable Sakthi of Lord Shiva. Lord Muruga also called as Shadanana , Shanmukha and Arumukha as being six faced and Muruga an account of his youthfulness beauty of goodness, Karhikeya as son of supreme Siva Mahadevan.

The Muruga proceeded from Kailas to the south on his mission of subduing the Asuras and freeing of Devas from their cruel bondage. Karthigeya desired a shrine of SIVA at Tiruchendur for  worshipping Siva .Mayan the celestial architect constructed the shrine at this sea front .After

worshipping, Muruga proceeded with the war  against Assuras . After five days of  terrible war ,Surapadma rose out of his fortress VEERA MAHENDRAM as a mango tree and the lance pierced the tree and broke into two.  As Asura had spurned his last chance of submission, Shanmuga’s grace prevailed. As an act of forgiveness, he took the two pieces with him one as peacock and the other in his chanticleer.  . 

The peacock symbolises the conqueror of sensual desire and destroyer of harmfull habits most importantly while the peacock itself clutches a snake in is claws- the snake represents the ego - Lord Muruga did not abandan his ego - Nevertherless he managed to control it .The young MURUGA as devasenathipathy vanquishes Evil in the form of Surapadma.-- The events leading to vanquishment of Surapadma depicts the moral significance of the expiration of sin and  are yearly celebrated by festival and fasting in Tamilnadu in the month of Aiyppasi ending on Kanda Sasti festival. 

Thiruchendil means  a house of victory..It is verily a heaven of Peace and Bliss.People in this part of peninsula have such an attraction to this place and presiding diety ARUMUGA NAINAR.

Murugan’s association with Thiruchendur is far too significant.The sea shore temple at Thiruchendur is one of the delightful spots sanctified and venerated by every Hindu. His sacred house is In the extreme south west of the Indian peninsula. The rising sun bows  in adoration each morning as he raises from the rippling  expanse and spread life over every living object. 

 This temple is located  on the sea shore for more than 2000 years while  rest of His other temples are in invariably located in high elevation on hills top which are considered to be dear to him. The variants is possibly due to Murugas desired mission to free DEVAS and vanquishment of Surabadma  and  his mighty host on Veera Mahendra  fortress near by in the mid ocean.

 Only in Thiruchendur, the devotees are given  Vibuthi in Panner leaves known as ILAI VIBUTHI . The Panner leaves have a peculiar sanctity and the retention of the magnetic effects of the prasadham .

As a child Muruga His blessings with the type of perennial tender beauty are always and everywhere at the service of devotees in Palani in Dindigul district. Boghar a great Hindu Saint and Siddhar created the idol of Dhandayathapani (as He is called in Palani) using Navapashanam and amalgam of  nine precious substances mixed with herbs in certain ratio which constitute eternal medicine.

Muruga in his gracious pity for humanity takes form as youthful God of wisdom-SWAMINATHAN—Where the lord explained the essence of Pranava mantra to his father Lord Shiva in the temple SWAMIMALAI in Thanjavur district.

Thirupakundaram is associated with the devine marriage of Lord Muruga with Goddess Deivanayaki after the war with Asurasi and considered as  a sacred place for conducting  marriages 

 Lord Muruga reclaimed HIS inner peace after waging a war with Assuras

at Tirutani near Chennai and married Valliammai who was doing penance to marry him.

The Lord is seen with the posture of single face with his both consorts- DEVASANA   AND VALLIAMMAI on both sides in Palamuthircholai ,At the top of this  hill temple, there is  a perennial waterfall- NOOPURA GANGA.

Number of Saints/ devotees  like Nakkerar, Arunagirinathar etc have sung  so many songs like Thirupughal,Thirumurugattupadai, Skanda Sasti Kavasam ,Skanda Guru Kavasam etc in praise of Lord Muruga .There are number of moola mantras . Murugan Pancharatna Stotram is one of them. There are number of festivals celebrated in all temples like Vaikasivisakam Kandasasti, Aadi Krithigai, Panguni utharam etc .

A heart that “Melts”” in devotion while chanting God’s names and singing his glory is an essential pre-condition for god-realization. Saint Arunagirinathar’s Kandar Anubhoothi, surcharged with spiritual fervour and packed with sacred truth, is capable of moving even a heart as hard as stone and lead it on to the feet of Lord Muruga – the bestower of boons in Kali yuga. 

The Moolamantaram of Lord Muruga are devine mantaras . When chanted,daily in the morning, they can help to avoid as well as negate all kind of ill effects.

Further they can eliminate or dissolve all the negative forces from our life and bless us with wisdom,strength, knowledge, and prosperity.We all will pray LORD MURUGA with faith to lead a peaceful contented life.                                                                                   ரா. சிதம்பரநாதன்