KANDAKOTTAM - MUTHUKUMARASWAMY TEMPLE

The origin of this temple is quite fantastic, and it emerged by the divine will communicated to two merchants living in Madras. It begins with two great bhaktas named Kandappa Achari and Mari Chettiar, who lived some three hundred years before in Madras. They were intensely attached to the Kumaran of Tiruporur and were visiting every month regularly on the auspicious Krithika day, walking all the way nearly 60 km. And returning like wise. And they used to rest on the way under a neem tree. One day a snake came and slept near Marri Chetty, when he was in deep sleep. In his dream he was directed by a boy to take the idols hidden under ant-hill and install in a temple. On waking up he found to his shock the snake lying next to him, which disappeared at once.

He informed of this entire event to his friend. Being devout Bhaktas, they dug the ant-hill and found to their surprise beautiful images, of Muruga, Valli and Devasena. They took them home. Kandappa Achari installed them in a temple besides a small shrine built by him for Vinayaka some years before. Due to liberal grant of boons, the Muruga became very popular. This area being dominated by commercial people, they deemed it fit to build an exclusive. big temple for Kandan. So there came up into' existence this present temple. As this temple is situated in the flower garden, the deity is popularly called Poonganagar Murugan. This Lord gives darsan with Lord Siva on one side and Parvathi on the other. This popular Somaskandar darsan feasts the eyes and fulfills the desires easily. So it attained great fame. All the periodical festivals are celebrated with great pomp and splendour consuming some lakes of rupees. The temple's Vasantha mandap is used for conducting discourses and also special functions. The temple is largely and liberally endowed by rich merchants, and so owns many valuable jewels, vessels, vahanas etc. It is an much frequented temple in Madras.

It lies in the Rasappa Chetty Street, one of the busiest parts of Madras, accessible from any point by city bus.

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