Six abodes or sacred places of Lord Murugan
In this article, I will explain about the six famous temples of Lord Muruga in Tamil Nadu. These six temples which are also called as Aarupadai Veedu - Six abodes of Lord Murugan, are considered as most sacred among all the Murugan temples in this world.
Lord Murugan is son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi and brother of Lord Ganesha. He is also called as Karthikeya, Skanda, Saravana, Guga, Vadivela and many other names. Lord Muruga is very famous among the people in southern parts of India. It is believed that Lord Muruga spend his most of his lifetime in southern part of India (Present day Tamil Nadu) to destroy all Evil kings who tortured people in this region. He also believed to be 'God of Tamils'. Six Abodes of Lord Murugan
Lord Muruga has temple all over India and also across the world from Australia to Canada which includes some famous temples like Battu caves in Malaysia and Kathirkama temple in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Out of all the temples, there are six temples located in southern part of India are considered as 'Six Abodes of Lord Muruga'. All the important events in Lord Muruga's life happened in this places. Because of this, these temples are considered as most sacred among all the others and called by people as 'Aarupadai Veedu'.
The Six Abodes of Lord Muruga are Thirupparamkunram
Thirupparamkunram is a small town located 10 Kilometers away from city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Thirupparamkunram is consider as the most sacred of all six temples.
Lord Muruga set his first battle camp in Thirupparamkunram with the help of Meenakshi in Madurai to fight against evil kings. Because of this Thirupparamkuram is considered as first out of all Six battle camps (Padai Veedu). After defeating evil king Soorapadman, Lord Murugan married Indra's daughter Devasena in Thirupparamkunram. This temple is located at the bottom of a Rocky hill. Transport:
All the buses from Madurai bus terminal to Thirumangalam has a stopage at Thirupparamkunram. Madurai is well connected with remaining parts of India through road, rail and airways. Tiruchendur
Tiruchendur is the second battle camp of Lord Muruga where Lord Muruga defeated evil king Soorapadman after a long battle. Before killing Soorapadman, Lord Muruga killed Soorapadman's brothers and sons. The day is considered as sacred and even celebrated by people here as 'Kandha Sasthi' to remember the battle victory of Lord Muruga. It is believed that the soil in Tiruchendur turned Red after the battle between devas and Asuras. Even today also the soil is red than any other parts of the state.
This is the temple located at sea shore in the southern tip of India. This temple locates very close to the sea as sometimes waves will touch the surrounding walls of the temple. The place also consider as one of the beautiful beaches in Tamil Nadu. How to reach Tiruchendur:
Tiruchendur is well connected with remaining parts of state by both bus and trains. The nearest airport is at Tuticorin which is 40 kilometers away from Tiruchendur. Tiruchendur is also near to other major cities like Tirunelveli and Madurai in south Tamil Nadu. Palani
Palani is considered as 'Third battle camp' of Lord Mururgan. After a misunderstanding with his brother Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga left the mountain kailash and formed a camp at Palani where the temple is located now. Lord Muruga decided to settle in Palani and found kingdom on his own. Later he is convinced by his father lord Shiva and mother Lord Paravathi. Palani is also consider as sacred because of many siddhars. Bogar is famous among one of such siddhar who lived in Palani. The Navabhasana statue of Lord Muruga at Palani temple is made by Bogar which is made up of 9 poisons. The statue is considered as most sacred because of it's rich medical values.
The temple is located at the top of a small hill in western ghats. The surrounding area is considered as 'Palani hills' which is rich in ecological factors. How to reach Palani
Palani is located in Dindugal district of Tamil Nadu and well connected with other parts of the state like Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai. Palani railway station is well connected with remaining parts of the country by train. Swamimalai
Swamimalai is the 'Fourth battle camp' of Lord Murugan. It is believed that Lord Murugan teaches the meaning of 'Om' to Lord Shiva in Swamimalai. Hence Lord Muruga is considered as 'Guru' in this temple. This temple is built like 'Artifical Mountain'. The 60 steps in this temple represent '60 Tamil years'. This temple is located in the northern banks of River Cauvery. How to reach Swamimalai:
Swamimalai is 6 kilometers away from Kumbakonam. Bus no. 1, 37, 57, 12, 68 are operated from Kumbakonam to Swamimalai. Thiruthani
Thiruthani is the 'fifth battle camp' of Lord Murugan. It is place where Lord Murugan married his second wife Valli who is born in a tribal family. Lord Ganesha took form of an elephant and help Lord Murugan to marry Valli. It is believed that Lord Murugan in this temple is worshiped by Lord Rama after returning from Rameswaram and Lord Brahama who failed to explain the meaning of 'Om' to Lord Murugan and got imprisonment. This temple is praised by many legendary Tamil poets. This temple is located in rocky hill. The 365 steps in this temple represent 365 days in a year. How to reach Thirutani
Thiruthani is located north-west of Chennai and well connected by bus and train from Chennai to northern part of the country. Most of the express trains will stop in Thirutani. Pazhamudircholai
Pazhamudircholai is the sixth and last battle camp of Lord Murugan. In this temple, Lord Murugan is accompanied along with his wife Devasena and Valli. Lord Muruga tested legendary Tamil poet Avvaiyar in this place by means of a fruit hence this place is called as 'Pazhamudircholai'. The temple is praised by many legendary Tamil poets including Avvaiyar'. This is located in a mountain above Azahagar Kovil of Lord Vishnu. It is a dense forest region filled with monkeys. How to reach Pazhamudircholai
Pazhamudircholai is located 16 kilometers from Madurai and has frequent buses from Madurai.
Though ardent Murugan devotees especially from Tamil Nadu may know about these details very well, for others this article will be useful.
I could visit only four out of the six 'padai veedu' of Lord Murugan. While it is generally easy for tourists and pilgrims who combine the generally taken route of Kanyakumari-Madurai-Palani itinerary to visit the four places namely, Tiruchendur, Tiruparamkundram, Pazhamuthircholai and Palani, the other two needs separate trips usually, as they are a detour from the usual package trips. I do not know when I will be able to visit Tiruthani and Swamimalai.