Tiruchendur

A solitary beach on the Bay of Bengal, Tiruchendur receives a huge number of footfalls round the year from every corner of the globe. Being the sacred land of mythical deities, the place is famous for the temple of holy God Subramanya. Tiruchendur is adjacent to Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli.

The ancient archives prove the existence of the place on the southernmost corner of Tamil Nadu. Being inhabited by many famous rulers of the past, Tiruchendur, today, is a classic example of the historic temple architecture of the old India.

Housing one of the six abodes of Murugan, also known as aarupadai veedus, the place is always bustling with hundreds of thousands of devotees who come to the Temple of Tiruchendur to offer their prayers and achieve the blessings of Lord Senthil Andavar. Originally made of the rock found in the place, the shrine now has been given a new look by replacing the rock layout by granite.

The Shanmukha Vilaasa Mandapam, an arched structure of pillars is found in frond in front of the Temple. With two prime entrances or prakarams, the temple of Tiruchendur hosts the idols of Lord Valli and Deivanai in the innermost prakaram. Whereas statues of Lord Dakshinamurthi, Mukkunni, Vinayakar and Arunagirinathar enshrine the exterior prakaram of the Temple. Skanda Pushkarini is the only water reservoir of the Temple that is formed as a well with two different parts.

The major festival celebrated by the Temple of Tiruchendur is the brahmmahotsavams which is followed two times a year – in maasi and aavani. During the month of vaisakhi, the festival of visaakham is also ritually performed by the priests and other governing bodies of the Temple. Kandha sashti is another important religious event that is followed to celebrate the marriage of lord Murugan with Goddess Deivanai.

A must-visit for those who are fond of the temple culture of South India, Tiruchendur is a never-ending platform of sacred customs and rituals.