Lord Subramanya Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Subramanya, Skanda, Kartikeya or Kumara, who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the commander of the celestial army. The temple is located in Marungoor, a village near Suchindrum in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is also known as Aruppai Veedu, which means one of the six abodes of Murugan. The temple is famous for its unique idol of Murugan riding a horse instead of a peacock, which is his usual mount. Visit during Kanyakumari One day tour By Cab
Location of Lord Subramanya Temple
Lord Subramanya Temple is located at Marungoor Village, Suchindrum, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu 629704, India. It is about 16 km (10 miles) from Nagercoil, 34 km (21 miles) from Kanyakumari town and 90 km (56 miles) from the nearest airport at Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is easily accessible by road, rail and air from different parts of Kanyakumari and nearby areas.
Timing/Entry Fees Lord Subramanya Temple
Lord Subramanya Temple is open to the public daily, including Sundays (excluding public holidays) between 05:00 am and 09:00 pm. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple, but visitors are requested to follow the rules and regulations of the temple authorities and respect the local customs and traditions. Visitors are also advised to avoid littering and damaging the temple premises.
How to Reach Lord Subramanya Temple
There are many ways to reach Lord Subramanya Temple from different parts of Kanyakumari and nearby areas. Some of the common modes of transport are:
- By Road: Lord Subramanya Temple is well-connected by road with various parts of the city and nearby towns. There are many buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws that ply to and from the temple. The temple road, also known as NH44 or Beach Road, runs parallel to the coast and has signboards indicating the direction to the temple.
- By Rail: Lord Subramanya Temple can be reached by train from various railway stations in Kanyakumari and nearby areas. The nearest railway station is Suchindrum, which is about 4 km (2.5 miles) away from the temple. Other nearby railway stations are Nagercoil, Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram. From these stations, one can take an auto-rickshaw or cycle-rickshaw to reach the temple.
- By Air: Lord Subramanya Temple can also be reached by air from various airports in Kanyakumari and nearby areas. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which is about 90 km (56 miles) away from the temple. Other nearby airports are Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai. From these airports, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach the temple.
Things to Do/Must See Lord Subramanya Temple
Lord Subramanya Temple offers a spiritual and cultural experience for visitors who want to worship Lord Murugan and admire his grace and glory. Some of the things to do and see at the temple are:
- Praying to Lord Murugan: Lord Subramanya Temple is one of the most revered shrines of Lord Murugan, who is worshipped as the God of War, Victory, Wisdom and Love. The temple has a sanctum sanctorum that houses a beautiful idol of Murugan riding a horse instead of a peacock, which is his usual mount. The idol is made of panchaloha or five metals and has six faces and twelve arms, representing his six attributes and powers. The idol is adorned with jewels and flowers and holds various weapons such as spear, sword, bow, arrow etc.
- Visiting the other deities: Lord Subramanya Temple also has shrines for other deities such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Ayyappa etc. The temple also has a separate shrine for Valli, one of the consorts of Murugan, who was born in this village as a tribal princess. According to legends, Murugan enacted a drama to win her heart by disguising himself as an old man, a hunter and a wild elephant.
- Participating in the festivals: Lord Subramanya Temple celebrates various festivals throughout the year with great fervour and devotion. Some of the major festivals are:
- Thai Poosam: This festival falls in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February) and commemorates the day when Murugan received his spear or vel from his mother Parvati to defeat the demon Surapadma. The festival is celebrated with a grand procession of Murugan’s idol on a silver chariot, accompanied by devotees who carry kavadi or wooden frames decorated with flowers and peacock feathers. Some devotees also pierce their body parts with hooks and needles as a form of penance and devotion.
- Panguni Uthiram: This festival falls in the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April) and marks the day when Murugan married his two consorts, Valli and Devasena. The festival is celebrated with a grand procession of Murugan’s idol on a golden chariot, accompanied by his two consorts on separate chariots. The procession also includes various folk dances and music performances by the devotees.
- Skanda Sashti: This festival falls in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November) and celebrates the victory of Murugan over the demon Surapadma. The festival is celebrated for six days, with various rituals and ceremonies such as abhishekam, alankaram, archanai etc. On the sixth day, a mock battle is enacted between Murugan and Surapadma, followed by a victory procession of Murugan’s idol on a peacock mount.
- Enjoying the view: Lord Subramanya Temple offers a scenic view of both the hills on one side and the fields on the other side. Visitors can also see the Marungoor Dam, which is a water reservoir that supplies water to the nearby villages.
Significance of Lord Subramanya Temple
Lord Subramanya Temple is not only a tourist attraction but also a significant place for Kanyakumari and India. Some of the reasons why Lord Subramanya Temple is important are:
- It is a spiritual site that showcases the faith and devotion of the people towards Lord Murugan, who is one of the most popular and powerful deities in Hinduism. The temple is one of the six abodes of Murugan, where he is worshipped as the God of War, Victory, Wisdom and Love. The temple also has a connection with Valli, one of the consorts of Murugan, who was born in this village as a tribal princess.
- It is a cultural site that reflects the influence and integration of different cultures and communities in Kanyakumari. The temple is a blend of Tamil and Kerala styles of architecture, with its wooden structures, granite walls, mural paintings etc. The temple also celebrates various festivals throughout the year with great fervour and devotion, attracting visitors from different parts of India and the world.
- It is a historical site that showcases the history and heritage of Kanyakumari and Tamil Nadu. The temple is said to be more than 2000 years old and has inscriptions dating back to the 9th century CE. The temple was patronized by various kings and dynasties such as Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Nayakas etc.
FAQ’s
Q: Is photography allowed at Lord Subramanya Temple?
A: No, photography is not allowed at Lord Subramanya Temple for security and religious reasons.
Q: Are there any facilities or amenities at Lord Subramanya Temple?
A: Yes, there are some facilities and amenities at Lord Subramanya Temple, such as toilets, drinking water, benches, parking etc. There is also a souvenir shop where visitors can buy books, photos, CDs etc related to Lord Subramanya Temple and Murugan.
Q: Are there any other attractions or places near Lord Subramanya Temple?
A: Yes, there are some other attractions or places near Lord Subramanya Temple, such as Thanumalayan Temple, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thirparappu Waterfalls etc.
Conclusion
Lord Subramanya Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Subramanya, Skanda, Kartikeya or Kumara, who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the commander of the celestial army. The temple is located in Marungoor, a village near Suchindrum in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
The temple is also known as Aruppai Veedu, which means one of the six abodes of Murugan. The temple is famous for its unique idol of Murugan riding a horse instead of a peacock, which is his usual mount. Lord Subramanya Temple is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to worship Lord Murugan and admire his grace and glory in Kanyakumari.
