Tirupporur Murugan Temple
The Tirupporur Murugan Temple is considered as the place of the
sacred war. It is one of the 33 major temples of Tamil Nadu and is
dedicated to Lord Muruga. This temple is situated 25-km away from
Chingleput and 45-km from Chennai. This ancient temple dates back to
the Pallava period.
The Tirupporur Murugan Temple is called by names like Poriyur or
Yuddhapuri or Samarapuri. According to the legends, after defeating
Soorapadman at Tiruchendur, Skanda destroyed the rest of the demons at
Tirupporur.
¤ History of The Temple
 At
the temple there are inscriptions that belong to the early 10th
century. There are inscriptions also belonging to the period of
Vikrama Chola of the 12th century in the temple. After the glory of
Tirupporur reached its peak, it faded into oblivion for some time.
But Chidambara Swamigal rediscovered and renovated its glory in the
middle of the seventeenth century. It is said that Tirupporur was a
descendant of one of the poets of the "Tamil Sangam" of
Madurai. Previously this place was a forest covered totally by Palmyra
trees.
It is believed that the idol of Lord Muruga (also spelt as Murugan)
is "Swayambhu Murti", which lay covered up by an anthill. It
is said that the image of 'Skanda' was discovered by Chidambara
Swamigal in the anthill. He then built the temple again and
reinstalled the image. Later the temple was looked after by the
decedents of Chidambara Swamigal and reached its present glory.
¤ The Legend Related To The Temple
The Tirupporur Murugan Temple has many legends related to it.
According to one of the legends, Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi
were subjected to the curse of Kanva rishi. Lord Shiva came to this
place to liberate and relieve them from the effect of the curse.
Therefore at Tirupporur temple both Lord Shiva and his son Muruga are
worshiped. According to the Sthalapurana, Lord Muruga with his
consorts Valli and Devayanai granted protection to devas and explained
the meaning of Pranava to Agastya Muni at this place.
Other legend says, Skanda described the principle of pranava or
reality to the devas here. The very concept of Pranavam is said to
have worshiped Skanda here, and the hill behind the temple is known as
"Pranava Malai'. Legends also say that Lord Vishnu worshiped
Shiva as "Vanmeekeswara" on the Pranava Hill. He did this to
get rid of the sin of having killed Soorapadman.
Skanda is enshrined in several forms in this temple, all of them
related to legends from the Skanda Puranam. The best of these is the
depiction of Skanda as a warrior, "Samhara Subramanya".
Skanda is also enshrined in the form of a child, explaining the
meaning of the oneness of creation Om to his father Lord Shiva.
¤ Architecture of The Temple
The eastern side of the temple is sanctum sanctorum where there's a
'Palmyra' tree. The anthill under it, has "Kanda Perumal"
with "Valli" and "Devayanai" on a small Peetha.
Chidambara Swamigal used to perform Abhishekam to these images.
There's an image of the lord present in the anthill which is covered
with Kavacha and other jewels without the ritual of Abhishekam (also
spelt as Abhisheka) performed for this deity.
The temple has a hall having 24-pillars and another circular hall
having 30-pillars. There is a shrine to "Vembadi Vinayaka"
under a Neem tree. On the southern side of the temple, there are two
sacred Teerthams (also spelt as Teerthas or Theertahs), "Saravana
Poigai" and "Valliyar Odai". Mandapam on the eastern
side of the Teerthams has four pillars. There is also another Teertham
by name "Pranavamritam".
¤ Worship
The presiding deity here is offered four worship services each day.
¤ Festivities
The temple festival celebrated here is the Skanda Sashti, celebrated
in the month of Aippasi (October-November). Other festivals that are
celebrated over here include "Margazhi Tiruvadirai" and "Navaratri".
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