Lord Subramanya

The worship of Muruga, as Skanda is popularly called in Tamil country, is very old in South India, where he is worshipped with great devotion. One of the most ancient totem-groups in the South was that of the Nagas (i.e. snakes) and the appearance of a serpent is even today considered by many as betokening the presence of Murugan. Lord Subramanya's other names are Skanda, Kumaresa, Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Guha, Muruga and Velayudhan.

The oldest Tamil hymns refer to Him as the deity of the hilly regions, the God of the tribes of hunters — Velan (He who carries a vel or spear). He was also believed to induce violent passions of love in the minds of girls, and was propitiated by magic rites.

By about the sixth century, the Skanda cult had shed its association with the earliest indigenous forms of worship practised by the hill-tribes and the Kumara Tantra was looked upon as a branch of the Saiva Tantras, and Skanda was invested with some of the attributes usually associated with Siva, for instance; Mahayogin, the great Teacher, the great Healer, the Lord of the Bhutas, and as the great Ascetic.

Lord Subramanya is a ray born of the Divine Consciousness of Lord Siva. Valli and Deivayanai are His two wives who represent the power of action and the power of knowledge. Lord Subramanya is an aspect of the Divine easily accessible in this age of ignorance and lack of faith. He gives material and spiritual prosperity and success to His devotees, if they show even the smallest devotion to Him.

He holds a spear in His hand, which is an emblem of power and indicates that He is the ruler of the Universe. Lord Subramanya’s vehicle is the peacock which he rides, thus signifying that He has conquered pride, egoism and vanity. There is a cobra under His feet, which signifies that He is absolutely fearless, immortal and wise.

Sri Subramanya Temple, Chengam Road, Tiruvannamalai

Front of Temple from Chengam Road


Swami in charge at Temple


This year the Festival of Skanda Sashti took place from October 26th to October 31st and was lavishly celebrated at all His Temples including the six Muruga Temples located at Tiruvannamalai. Skanda Sashti denotes the destruction of evil by Lord Murugan and His victory of light over dark. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita: "Among the army generals, I am Skanda".




Side view of Temple


When I visited this Sri Subramanya Temple on Chengam Road, opposite the Simha Lion Tank, the Swami in charge told me that the Temple (also known as Arumukha Koil i.e. Six-Face Temple) is believed to be 700 years old. The open compound surrounded by trees has a beautiful, quiet serenity. In front of the Shrine housing Lord Subramanya is a peacock, vel and stele. Swami mentioned that the stele is thought to be a 100 years old. (Steles are upright stones with an inscribed surface and are used as a monument or as commemorative tablets).



Facing front of Shrine




Lord Subramanya's Vahana, the Peacock



Stele in front of Temple


At this Subramanya Temple the Lord stands alone with His spear. In this pose He is known as Velayudhan; this is His Nirguna aspect, which is free from the illusory power of Maya. Several of the Murugan Temples in Tiruvannamalai have the Lord represented with his six heads in a horizontal line. But in the case of this Temple, three of the Lord’s heads are at the front, and three at the back which signifies that He is all-pervading and indicates that He can multiply and assume forms at will.



Three faces at front, three at back


Close up of the 3 faces, front


Compound surrounded by trees

Many choose to have functions and pujas performed inside the Mantapam of this Temple Compound. Even though conveniently located to my own place, this was actually the first time I’ve visited this peaceful, beautiful Murugan Temple. For those of you planning to visit, the Temple’s opening hours are 6 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.



Doorway leading to Mantapam


Photo of Lord Subramanya in Mantapam


Light and airy Mantapam


For those wanting to find out more information about Skanda worship go to this Swami Sivananda link to download a fascinating PDF

And to view a beautiful and comprehensive website dedicated to Lord Murugan go to this link here.

The Story of Idumban

Yesterday I attended a function at the Subramanya Temple located on the Vellore Road, opposite the Collectorate. The Temple itself is only about 40 years old but the statue of Lord Muruga, ensconed in the Temple's shrine room is much more ancient and hails from the Siva Temple at Kadaladi.

In 2003 work was started on the enlargement of the Subramanya Temple -- which appears in the below photograph. The work was finished in 2006 and abhisekham was performed in 2007.

Even though Lord Muruga is a loved God in Tamil Nadu, there aren't many Muruga Temples in Tiruvannamalai -- so I enjoyed my visit and while there learnt more about this gentle God.

And heard the story about Idumban, who is represented in the below photographs.

The story of Idumban

Sage Agastya wanted to take two hills -- Sivagiri and Saktigiri -- to his abode in the South and commissioned his asuran disciple Idumban to carry them. Idumban was one of the very few asuran survivors of the suraasuran war between Murugan's forces and those of Surapadman. After surviving the war he had repented and became a devotee of Lord Murugan.

At this stage, Subrahmanya or Muruga had just been outwitted by His brother Ganesa in a contest for going around the world and He was still smarting over the matter. Ganapati had won the prized fruit (the Jnana-pazham) by simply going around His parents. Long after this, Subrahmanya came seated on His peacock to find that the prize had already been given away. In anger, He vowed to leave His home and family and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivaaram (meaning 'foot of the Sivagiri Hill'). Siva pacified Him by saying that Subrahmanya Himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge. Hence the place was called Pazham-nee ('You are the fruit') or Palani. Later He withdrew to the hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude.

Idumban bore the hills slung across his shoulders in the form of a kavadi, one on each side. When he reached Palani and felt fatigued, he placed the kavadi down to take rest.

When Idumban resumed his journey, he found that he could not lift the hill. Muruga had made it impossible for Idumban to carry it. Upon the hilltop the great asuran spotted a little boy wearing only kaupeenam and demanded that he vacate at once so Idumban could proceed with his task. The boy, who was yet in a fighting mood, refused. In the fierce battle which ensued, Idumban was slain but was later restored to life.

Idumban belatedly recognised the boy as none other than his Ista Devata Murugan and prayed to Him that; whosoever carried on his shoulders the kavadi, signifying the two hills and visited the temple on a vow should be blessed; and he (i.e. Idumban) should be given the priviledge of standing sentinel at the entrance to the hill. Hence the Idumban Shrine is half-way up Palani Hill where pilgrims are expected to offer obeisance to Idumban before entering the temple of Dandayudhapani Swami. Now the general custom is for pilgrims to Palani to bring offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom has spread from Palani to all Muruga shrines.

Muruga, in His aspect as Lord Dandayudhapani, stands for tyaagam or renunciation. Eschewing all wordly possessions, the only apparel He has chosen to retain is a loincloth called kaupeenam.

[The Hill Temple of Muruga by Somalay]

To learn more about the 'Skanda Cult in Tamil Nadu,' check this link here.