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The origin of Subramanya
To reach
| | The origin of Subramanya | | It is interesting to know the origin of Subramanya, or Karttikeya or Muruga, or Shanmukha as his votaries differently call him. The Puranic account runs as follows:
Karttikeya desired to worship his father Siva. As there was no Siva shrine there, Maya, the celestial architect, constructed the temple of Siva in the sea front and Subramanya worshipped there. This is said to be the origin of this holy abode of Lord Kumara. Each temple has its own sanctity, yet there is difference in degree. This shrine of Tiruchendur is believed to be most liked by Subramanya and has been given the second place among His shrines in the Skanda puranam, no doubt the first being Palani.
According to the physiographical five-fold division of land, Muruga is assigned the hill country, Kurinji, and his shrines invariably situated amidst mountains or forests as such places are dear to him. The deviation from the usual, in this case, is due to the mission that he undertook on behalf of the devas.
Just as Surapadman was troubling the devas in the South, another demon named Tarakasura, brother of Surapadman, was troubling them in the North. Muruga killed Tarakasura at Cambay, situated between Mahe and Sabaramati rivers, known in olden days as Kambhat, and erected a pillar of victory (Sthamba) in commemoration of his success.
Similarly the Tiruchendur temple also may be considered as a commemoration of the defeat of Surapadman in the south. From here war started against Surapadman and his brother that lasted for five days, when all the sons, the brother and the mighty hordes of the demon gave battle to Subramanya at sea and in the air and were finally vanquished.
| | | To reach | | It can be reached from Madras, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Courtallam and Kanyakumari by bus. Nearest airport is in Madurai or Thiruvananthapuram. Train can also reach it.
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