AARUPADAI VEEDU - 6 Holy Abodes of Kaartikeya

Mayooradhiroodam Mahaa Vaakya goodam Manohaarideham Mahachchittageham
Mahee deva devam Mahaa Veda Bhavam MahaDeva Baalam Bhaje Lokapaalam !!

The Six Abodes of Murugan (Tamil: Aarupadai Veedu) are six temples situated in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. The god is known by different names such as Karthikeya, Skanda, Vadivela and Muruga at various temples. The six most sacred abodes of Murugan was mentioned in Tamil sangam literature, "Thirumurugatrupadai", written by Nakkeerar and in "Thiruppugazh", written by Arunagirinathar. The six abodes are Thiruthani, Swamimalai, Palani, Pazhamudircholai, Thirupparankunram and Thiruchendur.

 

Who is MURUGAN

The story of Lord Murugan is described in Skanda Purana. According to the legend, in the olden days the demon Taarakaasura/Soorapadman tortured the Devas, who went to complain to Lord Vishnu and Brahma. They assigned Kamadeva to awake Lord Shiva from his penance, who later gave birth to Kartikeya. Ganesha is said to be the elder brother to Kartikeya. The Divine couple Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati only holds a perfect family among all the gods. Kartikeya killed the demon and saved the devas. Muruga is depicted as the god of love and war. Kartikeya married SreeValli by love and married Devasenaa by winning the war held at Tiruchendur.

Goddess Parvati was married to Lord Shiva as their union gives birth to the one who can kill the demon Taarakaasura. As Shiva always dwells in meditation, Parvati created Ganesha with motherly love to keep herself engaged into household activities as a chaste wife (Pativrata Dharma, Goddess Parvati is Purest form of Nitya Sumangali hence she is Sarva Mangala). When Parvati is conceived, Shiva transfers the fetus to Agni (as Parvati - the Swayam Prakruti holds the entire universe in her womb and this new born would be equal to crores of suns, so to protest the universe in her womb, Shiva transfers it from Parvati's womb to Agni). As Agni was unable to hold it, he passed it to Rives Ganges. Even River Ganga, the coolest was unable to bear, because of its heat and energy (Since it's the union of Shakti and Shiva). So, Ganga keeps it in the 'Clump of reeds' (Saravanam in Sanskrit) on her banks, where the fetus was developed and a shiny baby boy was born. He was being called as Saravana Bhava (the one who born in the clump of reeds). Kritthikas (constellation in the forms 6 virgins) rose this new born with their utmost love and faith, as he was raised by Krittikas - he was being called as Kaartikeya. Then to receive their motherly love at a time, the boy becomes 6 faced, hence called as Shanmukha. Later Kartikeya meets his own Father Shiva, Mother Parvati and Brother Ganesha at Kailash where he learns warfare from both parents and Lord Vishnu. Then he goes to South of India to kill Taarakasura and to establish peace and Dharma.

Religious Importance

Arunagirinathar was a 15th-century Tamil poet born in Tiruvannamalai. He spent his early years as a rioter and seducer of women. After ruining his health, he tried to commit suicide by throwing himself from the northern tower of Annamalaiyar Temple, but was saved by the grace of god Murugan.He became a staunch devotee and composed Tamil hymns glorifying Murugan, the most notable being Thirupugazh. Arunagirinathar visited various Murugan temples and on his way back to Tiruvannamalai, visited Palani and sung praises about Swaminathaswamy. Tiruparamkundram is considered the first of the six abodes, while Palani is considered the most prominent abodes of Muruga.

Traditions

One of the main traditions of the six temples, is the tonsuring of devotees, who vow to discard their hair in imitation of the Palani deity. Another is the anointing of the head of the presiding deity's idol with sandalwood paste, at night, prior to the temple being closed for the day. The paste, upon being allowed to stay overnight, is said to acquire medicinal properties, and is much sought after and distributed to devotees, as rakkāla chandaṇam.Devotees carry kavadi, an ornamental mount decked with flowers, glazed paper and tinsel work and wearing ochre clothes themselves on foot from long distances is a commonly followed worship practice.

SIX ABODES of WAR LORD

1. Dandayudha paani at Palani

Located in Dindigul District, on the Palani hill bottom ( Malai Adivaram ) called 'Thiruaavinankudi'(Thiru + aa + inan + ku + di), where the deity is known as 'Kuzhanthai Velayuthaswami' and was worshipped by Goddess Lakshmi ('Thiru' in Tamil), the sacred cow Kamadhenu ('Aa' in Tamil), the sun god Surya ('Inan' in both Tamil & Sanskrit), the earth goddess ('ku' in Tamil), and the fire god Agni ('Di' in Tamil), and has idols of all of them.

There is a Murugan temple on the Palani hill top where 'Dandayudhapani' is the main deity, in a meditating state, carrying a staff ('danda') as weapon ('ayudha') in his hands ('pani').
As per Hindu legend, Sage Narada visited the celestial court of Shiva at Mount Kailash to present to him a fruit, the gyana-phalam (literally, the fruit of knowledge). He decided to award it to who ever of his two sons first circled the world thrice. Accepting the challenge, Karthikeya started his journey around the globe on his mount peacock. However, Ganesha, who surmised that the world was no more than his parents Shiva and Shakti combined, circumambulated them and won the fruit.

 

 

Karthikeya was furious and felt the need to get matured from boyhood and hence chose to remain as a hermit to Palani. The idol of the Muruga in Palani was created and consecrated by sage Bogar, one of Hinduism's eighteen great siddhas, out of an amalgam of nine poisons or navapashanam.

2. Swaninatha Swamy at Kumbakonam

Located at 5 km from Kumbakonam, the temple is built on an artificial hill. The temple commemorates the incident where Muruga explained the essence of the pranava mantra "Om" to his father Shiva.

As per Hindu legend, Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, disrespected Muruga (the son of Shiva) at the time of visiting Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva. The child Muruga got angry with Brahma and asked him how he was creating living beings. Brahma said that he was creating living beings with the help of the Vedas (Hindu scriptures). On hearing the reply, Muruga asked Brahma to recite the texts from Vedas. Brahma started to recite the text with the holy word called Pranav Mantra, "Om". At that time Muruga stopped Brahma and asked him to explain the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Brahma did not expect such a question from the child and could not reply. Muruga knocked Brahma on his forehead with his clenched fists and punished him with imprisonment. Muruga took up the role of the creator. The Devas (celestial deities) were surprised by the absence of Brahma and they requested Vishnu to negotiate with Muruga to release Brahma. Vishnu could not help and as the last resort, Shiva went to the rescue of Brahma.

 

Shiva came to Muruga and asked him to release Brahma from imprisonment. Muruga refused to release him stating Brahma was unaware of the meaning of the Pranav Mantra (Hindi: ॐ AUM). Shiva asked Muruga to explain the meaning and Muruga extolled to Shiva the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Shiva behaved like a student to a teacher, listening with rapt attention from his son, giving Muruga the name "Swaminatha Swami". The meaning of this name is "The Teacher of Shiva". Following the legend, the shrine of the son Muruga is atop the hillock, while the father Shiva's shrine is located at the basement.

3. Senthilanaathar at Thiruchendur

Located on the sea-shore near Tuticorin amongst the remains of Gandhamadana Parvatam or Santhanamalai (Sandal Mountain). The temple commemorates the place where Murugan won a decisive victory over demon Soorapadman by worshipping Lord Shiva.

Each of the six major abodes of Muruga has an event mentioned in the puranas (major religious texts). Thiruchendur is said to be second in importance among his six abodes.This place is also referred to by other names in religious poems and literature as Thirucheeralaivai, Thiruchenthil, and Thiruchenthiyoor. The deity is worshipped by various names such as Senthilandavan, Senthilkumaran, and so on.

 

There are eight lingams (Ashtamoorthi Shiva) in the temple, which are believed to have been worshipped by Muruga before waging the war with Surapadma. He is believed to have created a well named Skanda Pushkarini with his spear after the war. The water in the well is believed to possess medicinal properties.

 

 

Also Murugan fells in love with Valli who is also known as Pongi at Vallimalai and the pond from which she drew water to quench the thirst of Murugan is still there. Vallimalai, the divine place were Murugan and Valli spent their time in courtship and eventually got married. After their wedding, Murugan and Valli, moved to Thirutthani, which is one of the Aarupadai Veedu (the six battle camps) of the god.

4. Devasena Pathi at Thirupparamkunram

Located on the outskirts of Madurai on a hillock where Kartikeyan married Indra's daughter Devasena. This is the first of the Arupadaiveedu.

 

Thiruparamkundram mentioned in Skanda Puranam detailing the slaying of Surapadman by Muruga. As per Hindu legend, Surapadma, a demon king, once obtained boons from Shiva on account of severe penance. He started ruling the 1008 worlds on account of the power attained and started troubling the Devas. He imprisoned Indra and also desired his wife Indrani. Indra sought the help of Muruga. A severe battle was fought in Thiruparamkundram where Muruga killed all the sons of the demon except one who pardoned his mercy. Surapadman hid under the sea near Thiruchendur and Muruga split him into two pieces, which went on becoming the divine vehicles, peacock and rooster. The day when Muruga slayed Surapadma is celebrated as Skanda Sashti festival in all the Murugan temples.

Indra, the king of Devas was impressed and he married Devasena, his divine daughter to Muruga at Thiruparamkundram. Muruga is believed to have worshipped Shiva here as Paran giri nathar.

5. Sree Valli Natha at Thiruthani

Located near Chennai, Murugan reclaimed his inner peace after waging a war with Asuras and settled with his two wives here.

Legend also has it that Indra the king of the Gods gave his daughter Devasena in marriage to Skanda, and along with her presented his elephant Airavatam as part of his dowry offering. Upon Airavatam's departure Indra found his wealth waning. Lord Subrahmanya is said to have offered to return the white elephant, however Indra bound by protocol refused to accept a gift that he had made, and insisted that the elephant face his direction, hence the image of the elephant in this temple also faces the east.

Another legend has it that Indra presented a sandal stone as a part of his daughters dowry. The sandal paste made on this stone is applied to the image of Subrahmanya and the applied paste is said to acquire medicinal value. Legend also has it that Skanda bore the discus thrown by the demon Tarakasura on his chest, and hence there is a hollow in the chest region of the image of Subramanya in this temple.

Skanda is also believed to have imparted knowledge of Tamil to the sage Agasthya and he is regarded as Veeramurthy, Gnanamurthy and Acharyamurthy in this shrine.

6. Bala Murugan at Pazhamudircholai

Located on the outskirts of Madurai on a hillock with a holy stream nearby called "Nupura Gangai". Murugan is seen with both his consorts Devasena and Valli.

The great Tamil poet and saint Avvaiyar was tested by Lord Muruga here. In an episode of Divine Play with Avvaiyar, one of the most famous devotees of Lord Muruga, the Lord enacted the following drama. One day Avvaiyar became tired while traveling under the hot sun and sought refuge under the shadow of a fruit tree, hungry and thirsty, when a boy who sitting on the tree asked her whether she wanted fruits from the tree. When Avvaiyar told him that she did, the boy asked Avvaiyar whether she wanted roasted fruits or unroasted fruits. Avvaiyar who was a famous Tamil poet and incredibly knowledgeable litterateur scoffed silently at the very thought of the existence of a "roasted fruit" and decided that the boy didn't have knowledge even about a fruit. However, tired as she was, she decided that she didn't want to argue with the boy and asked him to pick unroasted fruits for her, which the boy then proceeded to do. Several fruits fell out of the tree and Avvaiyar picked them up, blowing on them to remove the sand. Smiling, the boy asked Avvaiyar if she was blowing on his "roasted fruits" to cool them down.

Avvaiyar was astonished as to how a small village cowboy could have played such an intelligent drama. Blowing on the fruit to remove the sand was indeed poetically comparable to an attempt to cool "roasted fruits". Humbled by the immense poetic knowledge and clever wordplay of the boy, Avvaiyar begged the boy to reveal his true identity, unable to reconcile herself with the fact that a simple cowherd could have such profound thoughts. The boy then disappeared and in his place, Lord Muruga appeared. Avvaiyar, stunned to find herself in Divine Company, bowed in obeisance and realising the infinite nature of knowledge, prayed to Lord Muruga to bless her and continue bestowing his Infinite Grace on her to aid her virtually endless quest for knowledge.

The Six Faced God

Karthikeya (Kārttikēya; Murugan, Skanda and Subrahmanya) is the Hindu god of war. He is the Commander-in-Chief for the army of devas. He is also the primary deity of the Kaumaram sect of Hinduism.

The Atharvaveda calls Kumāra Agnibhūta because he is form of Agni, who held him in his hands when Kumāra was born. The Shatapatha Brahmana refers to him as the son of Rudra and the six faces of Rudra. The Taittiriya Aranyaka contains the Gayatri Mantra for Shanmukha. The Chandogya Upanishad refers to Skanda as the "way that leads to wisdom". Baudhāyana's Dharmasūtra calls Skanda Mahāsena "Having a Great Army" and Subrahmaṇya "beloved of Brahmins". The āraṇyaparvan (first section of the third book) of the Mahabharata relates the legend of Kartikeya Skanda in considerable detail. The Skanda Purana is devoted to the narrative of Kartikeya. The Upanishads also constantly make a reference to a Supreme Being called Guha, the indweller.

 

Kartikeya symbols are based on the weapons – Vel, the Divine Spear or Lance that he carries given by his mother Parvati to him and his mount the peacock. He is sometimes depicted with many weapons including: a sword, a javelin, a mace, a discus and a bow although more usually he is depicted wielding a sakti or spear. This symbolizes his purification of human ills. His peacock mount symbolizes his destruction of the ego. His six heads represent the six siddhis bestowed upon yogis over the course of their spiritual development. This corresponds to his role as the bestower of siddhis.

Hey Swaminatha karunakara deena bandho,
Sree Paravatheesa mukha pankaja padma bandho,
Sreeshaadhi deva gana poojitha paada padma,
Valleesa-naadha mama dehi karaavalambham!!

May the Lord of Warfare, Commander in Chief for the Army of Gods and Goddesses bless all of us with mental strength to fight against worldly desires.