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Tirupporur (place of the sacred war) is one of the 33 major
temples of Tamil Nadu dedicated to Lord Muruga,
situated 25-km away from Chingleput and 45-kmfrom
Chennai. Tirrupporur
is an ancient temple dating back to the Pallava period.
Tirupporur is known by different names like Poriyur or Yuddhapuri or
Samarapuri. It is believed that after vanquishing Soorapadman at
Tiruchendur, Skanda destroyed the rest of the demons at Tirupporur.
The Legend
There are many legends related to Tirupporur according to one, Lord
Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi were subjected to the curse of Kanva rishi.
In order to liberate them from its effects Lord Shiva came to this place
and relieved them from its effects.
Hence Tirupporur temple has a lot of significance where Lord Shiva and
his son Muruga (also spelt as Murugan) are worshipped. The Sthalapurana
also discloses that Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Devayanai
granted protection to devas and expounded the meaning of Pranava to
Agastya Muni at this place.
According to legend, Skanda enunciated the principle of pranava or
reality to the devas here. The very concept of Pranavam is said to have
worshipped Skanda here, and the hill behind the temple is known as "Pranava
Malai". Legend also has it that Vishnu worshipped Shiva on the
Pranava Hill. Legend also has it that Skanda worshipped Shiva as "Vanmeekeswara"
to rid himself of the sin of having killed Soorapadman. Another legend has
it that Skanda enunciated the principle of pranava or reality to the devas
here. The very concept of Pranavam is said to have worshipped Skanda here,
and the hill behind the temple is known as "Pranava Malai". Lord
Vishnu worshipped Shiva on the Pranava hill.
Legend also has it that Skanda worshipped Shiva as Vanmeekeswara to rid
himself of the sin of having killed Soorapadman.
History Of The Temple
Inscriptions dating back to the early 10th century as well as from the
period of Vikrama Chola of the 12th century can bee seen in the temple.
Tirupporur flourished but faded into oblivion for some time.
But Tirupporur was rediscovered and renovated by Chidambara Swamigal in
the middle of the seventeenth century. Tirupporur was who is said to be a
descendant of one of the poets of the "Tamil Sangam" of Madurai.
Previously this place was a forest covered totally by Palmyra trees.
The image of the Lord Muruga (also spelt as Murugan) is believed to be as
"Swayambhu Murti", which lay covered up by an anthill.
Chidambara Swamigal is said to have discovered the image of 'Skanda' in
the anthill, and then rebuilt the temple and reinstalled the image.
The temple was later on looked after by the decedents of Chidambara
Swamigal and brought it to the present day fame.
About The Temple
This temple enshrines Skanda in several forms relating to legends from
the Skanda Puranam. The foremost of these is the depiction of Skanda as a
warrior, "Samhara Subramanya". He is also enshrined in the form
of a child, expounding the meaning of the oneness of creation Om to his
father Lord Shiva.
On the eastern side of the temple is sanctum sanctorum wherein one can
see the 'Palmyra' tree and the anthill under it wherein is "Kanda
Perumal" with "Valli" and "Devayanai" on a small
Peetha. Chidambara Swamigal used to perform Abhishekam to these images.
The image of the lord in the anthill is covered with Kavacha and other
jewels but no Abhishekam (also spelt as Abhisheka) is performed for this
deity.
There is a 24-pillared hall and a 30-pillared circular hall in this
temple. There is a shrine to "Vembadi Vinayaka" under a Neem
tree. The two sacred Teerthams (also spelt as Teerthas or Theertahs), "Saravana
Poigai" and "Valliyar Odai" are on the southern side of the
temple. On the eastern side of the Teerthams, there is a Mandapam of four
pillars. There is also another Teertham by name "Pranavamritam".
Services And Festivities
The deity is offered four worship services each day. Skanda Sashti is
celebrated in the month of Aippasi (October-November). Other festivals
that are celebrated over here include "Margazhi Tiruvadirai" and
"Navaratri".
Air: Nearest airport is Meenambakkam in
Chennai; it operates
both national and international flights.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at
Chennai, which is a
major junction.
Road: Tourists can access Tirupporurur by road either from Chennai
or Chengalpattu. Private taxis and regular buses ply from Chennai and
Chengalpattu to Tirupporurur.
Accommodation is available at the hotels in Chennai or at the small hotels in Chengalpattu. Being the capital city of the state, Chennai is well equipped with various kinds of accommodation options, varying from economic class to luxurious ones.