Vadapalani Murugan Temple

Vadapalani Murugan Temple is situated in Vadapalani, in Chennai – the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the prime city limits nearer to the main bus stand – Koyambedu. For those who come by Electric Train, Kodambakkam is the station that is near to the temple. The upcoming Metro has a separate station for the temple with the same name – Vadapalani. From middle of 2015 the metro rail system is going to be operated.

Please do not miss the musical beat and festival atmosphere in Vadapalani Murugan Temple in the youtube video given below...Must see

Lord Murugan in Vadapalani Temple

Lord Shanmuga is the second son of Lord Shiva and he is widely worshipped in South India especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is a wonder that a powerful God does not have a shrine or temple in North India. Maybe it is because of the belief that Lord Muruga is a Dravidian God. Dravidians predominantly occupy the four southern states of India – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There are 6 temples in Tamil Nadu that are said to be auspicious for worshipping Lord Muruga and they are called as ‘Arupadai Veedugal’ or ‘Six Houses’. The combined devotee’s flow in all these six temples would even surpass the most popular ‘Tirupathi’ Temple. The combined revenue from all these temples is said to be more than that is generated in Thirupathi.

Lord Murugan depicted by Raja Ravi Verma

Palani is one of the six temples that comes second in place in terms of revenue generation and it is said to have the honour of having a Pancha Loga Murugan statue that is believed to offer cure for all incurable diseases.  Palani that is in the northern side is called Vadapalani in Tamil. The main temple was built in the year 1920 and before that a thatched hut was there as a temple where a small image of the Lord was worshipped for a long period by an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga.

History:

Before the actual grand temple was build, a devotee called Annasamy Naikkar built a small hut that served as a temple. He worshipped the lord and offered regular poojas there. He used to feel a divine energy flowing in his body while worshipping in this place and whatever he told became reality. This attracted lots of devotees at that time itself. His dream was to build a big temple there but he could not accomplish that in his life time. He then designated one of his close friend and a devotee as the trustee of the temple and he also was revered for his spiritual powers.

Vadapalani Murugan Temple Flag Post

Later after 1920 the temple and the majestic Rajakopuram were built the temple slowly stared gaining popularity which was mainly attributed to the presence of Kodambakkam nearby. This place is called the Hollywood of South India and lots of artists in film industry started visiting the temple and as their wishes got fulfilled the news spread like a fire and then on there is no looking back for the temple.

Versatile preacher and devotee ‘Thirumuruga Krubanandha Variar’ is a great patronage of the temple and he is one of the main reasons why the temple got so much of attention.

Significance and Miracles:

There are three important things in life make humans succeed or lose and they are

• Job or Business that offers money to lead a life
• Life Partner – Love or Marriage
• Child Birth

Vadapalani Murugan Temple is significantly placed in the top of Hindu Temples because Lord Muruga is said to offer all the three to his devotees here. As a devotee who is been personally benefitted by worshipping in this temple could vouch for that.

Magnificient Sculptures in Temple Towers

Temple Details and other deities:

The Vadapalani Murugan Temple is a artistically built temple that has four towers on all the four direction. The main tower or the Raja Kopuram is exquisitely built with excellent carvings depicting various stages of Lord Muruga’s life and also 108 dancing postures observed in the traditional Bharatha Nattiyam thus signifying the grace that is offered by Lord Muruga for the artists.

There is a big Tank just in front of the temple.

The entrance to the temple has a shrine for Lord Vinayaka who is called here as Varasidhi Vinayakar.

Lord Shiva has a separate sanctum where he blesses the devotees in the form of Shiv Linga.

Meenakshi Amman also blesses us in a separate shrine in this temple.

There is a sanctum for Nava Grahas and also a separate place of worship for Lord Hanuman.

Vadapalani Murugan Temple on a Friday

Poojas and Worship

• Regular Poojas are offered six times a day in this temple.
• Tuesdays and Fridays are auspicious days for Lord Muruga and special Poojas and offerings are made to the Lord on those days.
• Krithigai is an auspicious day that comes every month and special recitals of mantras are carried out during the day.

Night View of Vadapalani Murugan Temple

Special Poojas:

The Vadapalani Murugan Temple has a beautiful Ratha (Car) that is made of Gold. The Thanga Ratham or the Golden Car is adorned with the Urchava Murthy and taken for a procession around the temple during special and auspicious occasions. Devotees who have their own wishes come and pray the lord (This prayer has to be kept a secret till the wishes are fulfilled) and offer to run the Golden Ratha and after getting the wishes they come back here again and run the Ratha on his name. There is a nominal fee for running the Golden Ratha and beware there is a huge rush in booking it as more and more devotees are booking the event well in advance.

During the month of Panguni (March / April), Panguni Uthiram is celebrated when the lord is offered with recitals of Mantras hundred thousand times. This is called Laksharchanam and devotees throng the temple during the period to perform the prayer. Laksharchanas are also performed in the Sashti period when the Lord  Muruga fought the devils and defeated them.

Mythology:

Lord Muruga is the second son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. He was brought up by six Karthigai Pengal (Six divine fairies) and as each wanted to look after the divine child the lord took the form of six babies and when at last he was handed over to his mother Sakthi, he again became one with six heads and twelve hands. This gave him another name – Arumuga that means one having six faces.

He later became the leader of Deva army and defeated and killed the demon king Asura.

Lord Muruga is associated with lots of mythological stories than any other God in the Hindu Religion.

He is said to be the creator of the ancient Tamil Language.

Festivals in the Temple:

Vadapalani Murugan Temple is known for its ‘Panguni Uthiram’ Thiruvizha when the lord is taken out in a decorated boat (Theppam) in the Temple Tank. It is a wonderful occasion that should not be missed during the time the entire tank area and the temple are decorated with lights that illuminate and gives the place a divine and a mesmerizing look.

Kandha Shashti is a very important festival that is celebrated in the Vadapalani Murugan Temple during the month of October / November. It is celebrated week long with Laksharchanas recited every day and the last day of festival is the main attraction. On the final day the two separate processions of the demon king and Lord Muruga are conducted and the battle is depicted symbolically and killing of the demon marks the end of the festival that also marks the beginning of a peaceful and successful life.

 

Vadapalani Murugan Temple - Prototype Model