Arupadai Veedu:
The 6 Muruga Power CentersTour
According to Vedic mythology, Muruga was born of a spark from the third eye of Shiva to slay the demon king, Surapadma. The Centers are also referred to as Battle Stations where Muruga performed different feats during the war with the demon.
The name Muruga contains very powerful sounds for protection (MU- Mukundan- Vishnu), destruction (RU-Rudra/Shiva) and creation (KA/GA- Kamalan/Brahma).
Muruga is a symbol of eternal youth and wisdom but his main role is to diffuse bad karma/negativity or rather demons, whether it is money, health or relationship.
All 6 Power Centers of Muruga are in the state of Tamil Nadu and are all hilltop temples:
A pilgrimage to these powerful energy vortexes will give you immense merits and blessings:
| Attraction and Charisma |
Thiruparankundram |
| External & Internal Control for
Right Actions and Thoughts
|
Thiruchendur |
| Self Realization |
Palani Andavar Swami |
| Higher Wisdom and Intelligence |
Swamimalai |
| Soul Serenity and Mental Peace |
Thirutani |
| Power and Courage |
Pazhamudircholai |
1. Tiruparangkundram
This is the 1st of the 6 abodes and is located 8 kms near Madurai in South India. Muruga is called Subramaniaswamy here. As this is where the Lord married Devasena, daughter of Indra, many consider this place auspicious to conduct weddings especially during the Tamil month of Panguni.
This 2000 year hilltop temple was constructed by Vishwakarma, the celestial sculptor. The form of the chief deity is sculpted from a single rock and the abishekams are done only to the Lord`s spear or Vel.
The sacred tank found in the temple precincts is Saravana Poigai. You can offer puffed rice to the fish in this tank.
2. Tiruchendur
This is the 2nd Center of Muruga located 60 kms from Tirunelveli by the seashore. Muruga is called Senthilandavar here and it’s where he killed the demon Surapadma.
In the sanctum sanctorum, we do not find the Vel or lance in his hand but rather he is offering prayers to Lord Shiva in propitiation for taking away so many lives in the battle.
Saint Adi Sankara visited this temple in the 8th century to seek relief from sickness that troubled him. He was cured and so sang Sri Subramanya Bhujangam in praise of the lord.
3. Tiruvavinkudi/Palani
This is the 3rd Center of Muruga located 60 kms away from Dindugal, in Tamil Nadu. Muruga is called Dandayuthapaniswami here and came here after a quarrel with his parents and brother over a mango. He sang praise of Lord Shiva to quell his anger and earn his bountiful grace.
Saint Bhogar made the statue of Muruga from an amalgam of 9 poisons or navapashana.
It was in this holy place that Sage Agasthya did penance and learnt Tamil Grammar from Lord Muruga
4. Swamimalai- Higher Wisdom and Intelligence
This temple is the 4rth Center for Muruga and is also called Thiruveragam. It is 8 kms from Kumbakonam, on the northern banks of River Cauvery. The lord is called Swaminatha and is where he initiated his father, Shiva, into the sacred primordial sound of cosmic “Om”.
The 60 steps ascending to the sanctum sanctorum represent the 60 months of the Ancient Tamil calendar. The steps represent the ascension to a hilltop.
5. Tirutani- Soul Serenity & Mental Peace
This is the 5th abode of Muruga located near Chennai. He is called Tanikesa here and it was at this place that he imparted the language of Tamil to Saint Agasthya and was married to Valli. He arrived here after defeating Surapadma in Tiruchendur.
There are 365 steps that lead one to the temple, representing the days of the year. The mandap where the deity is taken around for procession is made of one lakh or 100,000 rudraksha beads.
Rather than holding the vel, he holds the vajra-vel in his right hand that produces a sound like a thunderbolt.
6. Pazhamudircholai
This 6th Center is located near Azhagar koil near Madurai amidst dense forests and is where one of his wives, Valli lived. Muruga is called Malaikizhavan here and is seen giving darshan with both of his consorts, Valli and Devasena .
The Lord tested the Tamil literary skills of the great poetess Avvaiyar and eventually granted her profound knowledge under a tree. The uniqueness of the place rests on the sthala vriksha or the tree. This blackberry/naval tree usually yields fruits in the months of July to September, but this tree yields fruits in October to November which is the Tamil month of Aipasi. This is the month when Muruga`s Skanda Shasti festival begins.
People pray to Muruga here mainly for marriage and children.