Thiruchendur Murugan Temple things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Thiruchendur Murugan Temple
Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu 628215, India
4.7(7.8K)
Open until 8:30 PM
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Tiruchendur is a municipality located in Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is home to the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, which is one of the Six Abodes of Murugan. It is also the only abode of Murugan that is situated on a seashore.
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attractions: Valli Cave, restaurants: Hotel Kavery, Sri Balaji Bhavan, Ramesh Iyer Veg Restaurant, Hotel Mani Iyer, Kumar Tasty Parotta Stall, Hotel Moorthy Mani iyer, ஓட்டல் சரவணபவ Hotel Saravanabava, Saraswathy Mess, Thai Restaurant
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+91 4639 242 221
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hrce.tn.gov.in
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Thu5:30 AM - 8:30 PMOpen
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Praveen MuraliPraveen Murali
🌊 Thiruchendur Murugan Temple – The Sacred Seaside Abode of Lord Muruga 🌊
Visiting the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruchendur is not just a pilgrimage, but a deep spiritual journey. Being one of the Arupadai Veedu (Six Abodes of Murugan), it holds immense religious significance and offers devotees both divine blessings and a unique cultural experience.
✨ Mythological Significance:
According to legends, this is the very place where Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) waged war against the demon Surapadman. After a fierce battle, Murugan split Surapadman into two – one half became his divine vehicle, the peacock (Mayil), and the other half transformed into the rooster (Seval), which became his flag symbol. Hence, this temple is considered the victory site of Murugan’s triumph of good over evil.
✨ Unique Facts:
Only Murugan temple located by the seashore among the six sacred abodes.
Despite being so close to the sea, the temple has never been affected by tsunamis or cyclones – a miracle attributed to divine protection.
The sanctum is said to have been built underground and remains naturally cool, radiating positive energy.
The temple has inscriptions dating back to the Pandya and Chera kings, highlighting its rich history.
✨ Main Festival – Kanda Sashti:
The most important event here is the Kanda Sashti festival, held in October–November (Tamil month of Aippasi). Over 6 days, devotees fast and participate in the rituals, culminating in the Soorasamharam (re-enactment of the slaying of Surapadman) on the sixth day. The event is grand, vibrant, and attracts lakhs of devotees from around the world.
✨ Other Festivals:
Vaikasi Visakam (May–June) – Celebrating Murugan’s birth star.
Thai Poosam (Jan–Feb) – Another important celebration drawing huge crowds.
Panguni Uthiram (Mar–Apr) – Special rituals for marriage blessings.
✨ Best Time to Visit:
October–March is ideal as the weather is pleasant.
Early mornings and evenings are best for darshan to avoid heat and crowds.
Visiting during Kanda Sashti is highly recommended for a once-in-a-lifetime experience (but be prepared for large crowds).
✨ Remedies & Blessings by Visiting:
Childless couples seek blessings here for progeny.
Those facing obstacles in marriage pray during Panguni Uthiram for divine intervention.
Devotees suffering from doshas, evil effects, or health issues believe in taking a dip in the sea followed by darshan, as it is said to wash away sins and remove negative energies.
Many come here to overcome financial struggles and career hurdles, as Lord Murugan is believed to bless devotees with courage and success.
✨ Facilities & Pilgrim Experience:
The temple is well-organized with queues, prasadam counters, and resting areas. The beach adds to the charm, and pilgrims often start with a holy dip before darshan. Local shops sell prasadam, toys, and traditional items, making the visit culturally colorful.
🌸 Overall Experience:
Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is a divine blend of mythology, spirituality, and natural beauty. The sound of the waves, the divine presence of Murugan, and the energy of this holy site leave you with a rare inner peace and strength. A must-visit for all devotees of Murugan and seekers of spiritual upliftment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – An unforgettable experience of faith, history, and divine grace by the sea.
Jayakumarr CJayakumarr C
This is one of the most sought after lord muruga temple in the world located in thoothukudi district tamilnadu. Now high footfall all days. Devotees are put to much hardship for darshan as they are kept waited in long ques for long hours. Outdated and unsceintific the crowd management here. This beautiful temple is located on a picturesque sea shore and is architecturally marvelous with many layers of corridors and three prakarams as the sanctum sanctorum is in a rock cave below sea level and a huge rajagopuram on west side all attracting history buffs. Temple kept opened from early morning through out the day. The main deity lord muruga in infant form is placed as warrior with a spear in hand. Sub idols include dakshinamoorthy, kalabhairavar, shathru samhara moorthy, guru bhagawan, shaniswara, mukkurunni pillayar, pallikonda ranganathar, valli devayani etc. Valli cave and santana malai can also be seen. It is believed that worshipping in this temple will helps to get rid of the malefic effects of mars and jupiter. Soora samhara demonstration held on the sea shore annually in connection with skanta shasti festival on tamil month of aipasi (october november) is the major festival with much fanfare. Other important rituals and festivals are held on tamil month avani (august september) and is religiously known as avani thiruvizha. Pancha amritham blended with honey, milk, ghee, jaggery, kalkandu, banana is the main offering. Also the thiru neer ash vibhuthi is given in paneer leaf as holy prasadam as it is believed will get rid of various ailments. Baptism in the sea and nazhi kinar and hair toning before darshan is considered as divinely good. Kavadi an installation decorated with peacock feathers is an offering. Trikalyanam, thangamayil vahanam, swing festival, turmeric bath the manjal neerattu, vaikasi visakam, vasanta festival, masi festival etc are other religious functions here. Dress code apply men without upper wears and womens with traditional attires. Even after renovations pollution and odd smell still persist inside and outside the temple without proper sanitizations. Wheel chair, battery cars, special darshan for seniors and disables, cloak rooms, free food, paid darshan, car parking, bus services, good accommodations with online booking provided now. Around many private hotels but check neatness before check in. Also restaurants around unhygienic and below mark. Nearest railway stations thiruchendur and thirunelveli. Airport madurai and thoothukudi. By road 50 km from thirunelveli.
SRIHARAN ARTHANARISRIHARAN ARTHANARI
Situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal in Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu
It is the second abode (of six) dedicated to Lord Murugan, a revered pilgrimage site visited by lakhs of devotees annually
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📜 History & Legend
The shrine marks the spot where Lord Murugan vanquished the demon king Surapadman, as recounted in the Skanda Puranam; the peacock and rooster emerged from the demon’s defeated form, becoming Murugan’s vahanas and flag symbol, respectively
After victory, Murugan worshipped Lord Shiva here, and the divine architect Mayan built the temple as his tribute
Oldest inscription dates to 875 AD, though references in early Sangam-age poetry suggest the site’s sacred nature is much older. The temple was later improved by Pandya, Chera, and Chola dynasties
🏛️ Architecture & Unique Features
The western Rajagopuram (main tower) rises to 133–137 ft, has nine tiers (kalasams), and unusually faces west instead of east—likely due to proximity to the sea
The sanctum is below ground level which is atypical for Tamil temples
The temple complex includes a cave shrine dedicated to Goddess Valli, known as Valliamman Cave, complete with paintings and a 16‑pillar mandapa
A sacred freshwater well called Nali Kinaru lies south of the temple; devotees traditionally bathe here after sea dips
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🙏 Festivals & Ritual Practices
Major festivals include Surasamharam, Kanda Shasti, Vaikasi Visakam, Avani Tirunal, and Masi Festival
Devotees perform vows (vratas), offerings such as Kavadi carry, Palkudam, Abhishekam, Golden Chariot procession, and Chandana Lebanam ceremonies, seeking blessings for health, marriage, forgiveness, and spiritual upliftment
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🕰️ Timings & Visiting Info
Open daily from 4 AM to 9 PM IST, with special schedules during Vaikasi Visakam, Masi, Avani, Kanda Shasti, Thai Poosam, and Panguni Uthiram festivals when doors may open as early as 1 AM
Abhishekam offerings typically happen around 10 AM and 7 PM, with peak crowds during these times. Avoid visiting on Shasti or festival days if you prefer a less crowded experience
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🚗 Accessibility
Approximately 40 km from Thoothukudi, 60 km from Tirunelveli, and 75 km from Kanyakumari. Accessible via regular buses, trains, and road connections across Tamil Nadu and Kerala
The nearby sea shore, tranquil especially at dawn—many devotees enjoy bathing in the ocean as part of their pilgrimage
Reviews
Reviews of Thiruchendur Murugan Temple
4.7
(7,780)
5.0
42wThis was our time to see Lord Murugan at Thiruchendur, did that happened happily?
Read my story....
It was one fine Sunday during December month. We drive thru 🚗 that was a very long drive. Finally at 12:30 pm we reached the temple. There were a traffic cop who was very friendly and helped us to park our vehicle easily. That was the last car parking near temple, since more crowd no cars were allowed to park in the temple campus, except VIPs.
After parking, we took auto to temple. We...
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5.0
5w🌊 Thiruchendur Murugan Temple – The Sacred Seaside Abode of Lord Muruga 🌊
Visiting the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruchendur is not just a pilgrimage, but a deep spiritual journey. Being one of the Arupadai Veedu (Six Abodes of Murugan), it holds immense religious significance and offers devotees both divine blessings and a unique cultural experience.
✨ Mythological Significance: According to legends, this is the very place where Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) waged war against the...
Read more
5.0
13wThis is one of the most sought after lord muruga temple in the world located in thoothukudi district tamilnadu. Now high footfall all days. Devotees are put to much hardship for darshan as they are kept waited in long ques for long hours. Outdated and unsceintific the crowd management here. This beautiful temple is located on a picturesque sea shore and is architecturally marvelous with many layers of corridors and three prakarams as the sanctum sanctorum is in a rock cave below sea level...
Read more
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