Thiruchendur Murugan Temple:

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple (Tamil: திருச்செந்தூர் முருகன் கோவில்) is a Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Muruga located in Tamil Nadu, India. It is also one of the six principal abodes, or sacred temple complexes, in the Kaumaram religion. It is the only one of the six sacred temple complexes located near the seashore. The other five are located in mountainous areas. The puranic or historical name for this temple is Jayanthipuram. It is one of India's largest temple complexes (by area) and one of the most popular (devotees come from Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, England, and Australia).

This temple has the longest sannathi roadway of any temple in Tamil Nadu. This is the only temple with a Raja gopura located in the western gate. This temple is the largest of all the temples built by saints. This temple was not built by Kings, but by three holy saints. It is one of the wealthiest temples in Tamil Nadu.This is the only Hindu temple with no eastern gateway. This temple is the fourth Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu to get ISO certification. This is the fourth Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu to receive ISO certification. This is the only temple in Tamil Nadu with the sanctum sanctorum located below ground level.The 133-foot Rajagopura, built on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, extremely close to the sea, just 200 meters away, is still a mystery and an exceptional example of Tamil temple architecture as well as extreme civil engineering by the Ancient Tamils.

Mythology:

Surapadma, an Asura, ruled Veera Mahandrapuri, an island castle that served as his capital. He undertook numerous austerities in order to invoke Lord Siva, and Lord Siva bestowed many boons upon him. Later, he became arrogant and captured three worlds, forcing the Heavenly immortals to perform menial tasks.

Devas were unable to endure his torture and complained to Lord Siva. Lord Siva opened His frontal eye, creating a son to destroy the asuras. Lord Siva's frontal eye emitted six sparks of fire. The celestial sparks of grace were received by the Ganges via Agni, the God of Fire, and then passed to the Himalayan lake Saravana Poigai. Here, they were changed into six newborns.

The six Kirithika nymphs suckled these newborns. Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi Devi visited Saravana Poigai. When the Goddess Uma affectionately held the newborns, they transformed into Lord Arumuga, who has six faces and twelve arms. When the child Arumuga grew into a young God, Lord Siva commanded him to slay asuras and rescue Devas from their harsh bonds. Lord Muruga arrived at Tiruchendur with his massive army and camped. He despatched his lieutenant Veerabahu as an ambassador to the asuras, requesting that Surapadma free the Devas. War broke out as Surapadma turned rejected the plea.

The heated battle lasted several days. During the first five days of the war, Surapadma's brothers and all other asuras died. On the sixth day of the battle between Lord Muruga and Surapadma, Lord Muruga's lance struck Surapadma (who had been changed into a dreadful mango tree) and shattered it in two. The fragmented pieces instantly turned into a powerful Peacock and Chanticleer. Lord Muruga chose Peacock as his vahana (vehicle) and Chanticleer for his banner.

After Surasamharam (the destruction of Surapadman), Lord Muruga wished to worship his father, Lord Siva. Thus, Mayan, the divine architect, built these sanctuaries in Tiruchendur. Lord Subramaniyan can still be seen worshiping Lord Siva in the Sanctum sanctorum.

According to Skanda Purana, one of the eighteen Hindu puranas, while the deities praised Kartikeya for killing Tarakasur, Kartikeya was devastated by his actions. He told the goddesses, "I regret killing Tarakasur because he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva." Is there any way I may atone for my sin?Lord Vishnu consoled him, saying, "Killing a wicked person who feeds on the blood of innocent people is not a sinful act." However, if you feel guilty, worshipping Lord Shiva is the best way to atone for your sin.

Install Shivalingas and worship them with great devotion. Kartikeya instructed Vishnukarma to create three divine Shivalingas. Later, Kartikeya erected these Shivalingas in three distinct locations and worshipped them according to the prescribed procedures. Over time, these three sacred shrines became known as Pratigyeshwar, Kapaleshwar, and Kumareshwar. While worshipping at Kapaleshwar, Kartikeya sprayed holy water on the Shivalinga and prayed that Tarakasur's spirit may rest in peace. He also offered sesame seeds to Lord Kapaleshwar, praying, "May my offerings in the form of sesame seeds reach Tarak—the descendant of Sage Kashyap." This way, Kartikeya was absolved of his crimes.