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The Aru Padai Veedukal or Six Holy Abodes (literally: 'battle
camps') of Murugan as declared by the Tamil poet Nakīrar in his late
Sangam period classic of Murugan devotion
Tirumurugārrupatai are:
Tirupparamkundram
Tiruchendur
Tiruvavinankudi (Palani)
Tiruverakam (Swami Malai)
Kundruthorādal (Tiruttani and several other hills) and
Palamutircōlai.
Lord Murugan abundantly blesses devotees who worship at these
holy places:
Thiruparankundram, Madurai
Tirupparamkundran is at a distance of eight kilometers from Madurai
in South India. This holy place is associated with the divine
marriage of Muruga with Tevayanai. Tiru Jñana Sambhandar and
Sundaramurti Swamigal, two of the Saiva Samaya quartet visited
Tirupparamkundram. There is a sacred tank known as Saravana Poygai
in the temple precincts. It is a joy to see fish leaping in the tank
and rushing to accept puffed rice (Pori) offered to them.
Tiruchendur Murugan Temple
The Subramanya shrine at Tiruchendur is situated by the seashore.
From Tirunelveli in the South India, one has to travel a distance of
about 60 km to reach this beautiful sea resort. Muruga vanquished
the demonic forces led by Soorapadma at Tiruchendur. The Lord's
heroic fight with Soora is enacted with religious fervor here during
the annual Skanda Sashti festival shortly after Deepavali
(October-November), which draws half a million devotees on the sixth
day alone. Though the temple is in close proximity to sea, if one
goes into the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, one is surprised to
find a hillock there! Is not the Lord Senthil Andvar also the one
Who ever loves to reside at hill tops? We do not find the usual
'Vel' in the deity's hand at this temple, since He is depicted as
one offering puja to Siva in recompense for taking so many lives in
battle.
Jagadguru Adi Sanakara (8th century) visited the Tiruchendur temple
and offered prayers. The famous hymn Sri Subramanya Bhujangam and
Kandar Kali Venpa were composed at this sacred spot.
Palani Murugan Temple
Tiruvavinankudi (Palani) is the third Padai Veedu. The other names
of Pazhani are Sivagiri and Sivamalai. Pazhani is at a distance of
about 60 km from Dindigul in western Tamil Nadu. While Sri
Dandāyudhapani blesses devotees from the hill top, there is a more
ancient Muruga temple at the foot of the hill, which is called
Tiruvavinankudi. It is believed that sage Agasthya did penance at
Tiruvavinankudi and learned the five grammars of Tamil language
under Lord Muruga's expert tutelage.
Swamimalai
Tiruverakam comes next. Popularly known as Swamimalai, it is located
at a distance eight kilometers from Kumbakonam in Tanjore District
on the northern banks of the river Cauvery. The Lord here presents
Himself as Gurunātha Who taught the essence of Pranava to His
Father, Siva ('Swami') and thus became Swaminātha. Arunagirinathar
obtained darshan of the divine lotus feet of Lord Muruga here. It is
believed that the sixty steps of the temple ascending to the sanctum
sanctorum represent the sixty months of the ancient Tamil calendar.
365 Stepts to Tiruttani
Kundruthoraadal is a generic term which denotes many a hill having
holy shrines of Muruga. Tiruttani is prominent among them. Situated
at a distance of 13km from Arakonam, near Madras, Tiruttani abounds
in scenic beauty. In Tiruttanai, so it is said, Murugan is in a
soothing and relaxed mood. His ire over Soora and his kinsmen, whom
He vanquished in battle, has cooled down. His two divine consorts,
Valli and Teyvayanai are with Him at this temple. Tiruttani has a
unique distinction since it is the favourite hill of Muruga among
all the hills in the world. The Lord Himself has said so to Valli,
as we learn from the Valliammai Tirumanam chapter of the Kanda
Puranam. There is a school of thought which professes that Muruga
preached the essence of Pranava to His Father Siva in Tiruttani,
which is also known as Santadri and Paripoornachalam. Every year, on
December 31, a large number of devotees congregate at Tiruttani.
They sing Tiruppukazh while climbing the steps leading to the temple
at the hill top and worship the Lord Tanikesa (Muruga). Palamutircōlai comes last in the series of six holy places. This is
at a distance of about 20 km from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The temple
of Muruga, who is flanked by Valli and Teyvayanai, is located amidst
quiet and beautiful landscape. At the top of the hill, is Noopura
Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Raakkayi
Amman. Azhagar Kovil, the temple of Sri Narayana, is also near
Pazhamuthircholai.
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