Aarupadaiveedu-Thiruchendur (Part I Contd)

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Thiruchendur is located in the Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, in South India. The presiding diety of the temple is Lord Muruga worshipped with the name of Lord Subhramanya. The temple of Thiruchendur is a towering and elaborate structure depicting the ancient South Indian intricate architectural work Thiruchendur is the only shrine belonging to the Aarupadaiveedu of Lord Muruga that is situated on the sea shore while the others are all on the hilltops. The holy temple tank is called the Nazi Kinaru or the Saravana Theertham, created by Lord Subhramanya with His spear. The Valli Guhai represents the shrine for Lord Muruga's consort Valli apart from Devasena..

It is also called the Vyazha Kshetram, as Vyazhan or the Lord of the planet Jupitor is said to have worshipped Lord Subhramanya here. Hence it is a matter of belief that people's who are afflicted by malefic or retarded Jupiter in one's horoscope are redeemed by offering worship to Lord Subhramanya in this shrine.

The worship of Lord Subhramanya in Thiruchendur bestows the gift of progeny to many childless couples.

Nakeerar the saint poet has given form to His devotion for Lord Muruga of Thiruchendur in his Thirumurugaatrupadai, Adisankara Bhagavadpada has sung the praises of the Lord of Thiruchendur in his 'Subhramanya Bhujangam' and 'Kandhar Kalivenba' was attributed to the praise of the Lord of Thiruchandur by Kumaragurupara Swamigal.

Kandhar Sashti Viradh

Kandhar Shasti is the most important festival celebrated with grandeur in the shrine owing to the slaying of Soorapadhma on the sea shore of Thiruchendur. The battle between the Lord and the asuras is enacted every year on the sea shore with thronging devotees. After the divine play comes to an end the devotees acclaim the Lord fondly as Jayanthi Nadhar , the Lord who is victorious. This festival is celebrated for six days in Thiruchendur which falls either in the month of October or November every year.

During Khandar Shasthi Viradh, the devotees follow different ways of fasting as a part of their worship . Some just consume a few pepper corns a days as their only intake apart from water. Some others abstain themselves from solid intake by only drinking the water of tender coconuts or milk. Others take only one or two meal a day skipping the rest. It is also customary of many devotees spending the six days pertaining to the festival of Khandar Shasti observing their fast in the temple precincts of Thiruchendur.

Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthiram, the day of Karthika star every month, the day of Sashti every month and other festivals related to Lord Muruga are also celebrated here.

Significance Of The Incarnation

The incarnation of the Lord to destroy the evil in the battle with the deceptive battle tactics of the asuras is the symbolic representation of the battle with evil within oneself that emerge endlessly only to be vanquished with self realization which is the ultimate victory that paves way for a joyous and a peaceful life.

So lets worship Lord Subhramanya of Thiruchendur and partake of the Lord's blessings for the material as well as our spiritual upliftment.