Arupadai Veedu: The 6 Sacred Shrines of Lord Murugan In South India

Abhay Kumar

Tamil Nadu is one state where the second son of Lord Shiva - Kartikeya, or Lord Murugan as he is called in Tamil, is given a lot of religious importance.

The Arupadai Veedu is a collection of 6 abodes of Murugan which find place in many works of Sangam literature. A large number of devotees make a pilgrimage to the six Murugan temples in South India every year

Thirutthani

Located in the Thiruvallur district on Andhra Pradesh border, this is the place where Murugan married his wife Valli Devi. The hill temple has 365 steps which represent the days of the year.

A part of Thanjavur, this temple's architecture and spiritual surroundings attract many devotees and artlovers. It is on this hill that Kartikeya first explained the significance of the OM chant to his Lord Shiva.

Swamimalai

Pazhani

The most popular among the Arupadai Veedu temples, in Pazhani the Lord Murugan is present in two forms - as a child cowherder and in a meditative state as an adult. The temple's Dravidian architecture is quite enchanting.

Thirupparankundram

Located to the west of Madurai, this temple is the oldest of the 6 Veedus. It is here that Murugan married Lord Indra’s daughter Devayani. The temple offers serene ambience and breathtaking views from the hilltop.

Pazhamudhir Cholai

While the other temples are grand, this one nestled inside a hilly forest is quite modest and simple. It stands in the place where Murugan showed himself to the Tamil Poet Avvayar, a great devotee of his.

Thiruchendhur

Murugan is the Lord of mountains, but this is the only Veedu which is not located on a hill. But this place is of great significance as it was here that he defeated the demon Surapadhman. The temple itself is a marvel of art & architecture.

Centuries-Old Temples Of South India