TIRUPORUR -  KUMARAN TEMPLE

Deemed the august war theatre, where the most formidable war was fought against Surapadma, the dreadful asuradhama by Subrahmanya, the peerless warrior Field - Marshal, this Muruga kshetra has been luring devotees for over countries now. The present temple is an invaluable contribution by Chidambara Swamigal of great spiritual eminence. The sthalapurana embodies a fantastic account of the origin of kshetra mentioned as Samarapuri in the legends. Chidambara Swamigal, after initiation by Vriddhachalam Kumaran, was practising meditation and preaching with a missionary zeal. Once when he was in deep meditation, there appeared before his mental eye a beautiful peacock dancing in ecstasy. And heard he then an aerial voice bidding him to take the hidden image of Muruga on the spot, where the peacock was dancing. Exhilarated at the unexpected fortune, he at once implemented the divine bidding.

For construction of temple and installation of icons, he needed money, but it came unsought for. Passed for a man of miracles, and engaged in dharma karya, those who were benefited by his miracles volunteered to part with huge sums. A lady, an erstwhile beneficiary of his ministration brought gold and silver worth some lakhs and donated, and likewise a devout Vysya from Madras donated huge amount unsolicited. These are only two among the instances numberless. Soon a beautiful temple emerged provided with all the necessaries. Atop the hill, there was built in addition to Murugan temple, a Kailasanathar temple with Mother Balambigai. The main temple faces south but the Moolavar is facing east. There are separate shrines for Valli and Devasena too. Among the unique features, there is an imposing spacious mandap built with 24 big size pillars which are beautifully adorned with the carvings of Navaviras with their weapons in hands which suggests that this place was the scene of war fought against Surapadma. Here the ritualistic worship is offered as ordained by Chidambara Swamigal, as evidenced by Suprabhatam, decoration of deities etc. Of the various representations of Murugan's sports, there are two statues depicting him as Guru giving Upadesa to Siva who with folding hands looks like a student and the other in the role of a brave soldier. Nowhere either such postures are seen, says the priest. The name Porur means a place of war. So here it is quite apt. It is visited throughout the year and it is a pilgrim centre too.

It lies between Madras and Mamallapuram and 50 kms off Madras, accessible by bus.

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