Aaru Padai Veeru (6 Battle Camps) of Karthikeya

Lord Muruga, also known as Karthikeya, Arumuga, Shanmuga, Guhan, Skanda, Subramanya, or Kumara, is considered as the second son of Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesh or Ganapathy or Pillaiyar is his elder brother. He has two consorts namely, Devasena and Valli.

In Tamilnadu, Lord Muruga is worshipped widely. Being a warrior and Deva Senathipathi he is considered to have Aaru Padai Veedu (Six Battle Houses or Fields). These six places have six beautiful temples devoted to him. Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit these temples every year. Some reach these temples during festivals by walking long distances carrying offerings to him. Others visit these places by any mode of transport. Before undertaking the trips they observe fast taking only vegetarian diets, refraining from smoking, drinking liquor, etc.


The first temple is at THIRUPARAMKUNDRAM. This temple is 8 kilometers from Madurai by road. Thirupparankundram is situated 5 kilometers southeast of Madurai on the main railway line. Thirupparankundram features rock cut shrines as well as mandapams lined with elaborately carved pillars. Here Lord Subramanya is said to have married Devasena, the daughter of India. This is a Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam. Soora Samharam, Chariot Festival, and Laksha-archana (chanting his name 1008 times x minimum 100 times) are famous here. Saiva Saints Thirugnana Sambandar and Sundaramoorthy Swamigal visited and prayed at this time. There is a sacred Pushkarani here. Besides the fantastic temple to Murugan on the hill, there is also a Muslim shrine dedicated to 'Sekunder' (al-Sikandar or Alexander the Great) who is associated with Murugan by the Muslim pilgrims. Madurai has an Airport.

The second temple is at TIRUCHENDUR. Tiruchendur is also as Tirucheer Alaivai, Senthil Jayanthi, Kanda Madana Parvatham, Veeravaghupattinam, and Vyazha kshethram. The name Vyazha Kshethram comes after the worship by Vyazha Bhagavan or Jupiter God at this shrine. This temple is 48 kilometers from Thirunelveli Town (Head Quarters of Thirunelveli District). This sacred house of God is in the extreme southwest of the Indian peninsula. Here Lord Senthilandavar as Lord Muruga is called is in a shore temple. Bordered by the sea on the East and the North, the temple walls on these sides are washed by the foaming waves of the Gulf of Mannar. The Raja Gopuram (Main temple tower) is in the western side. Mela Gopuram (Tower at the western side) has nine storeys and it is about 137 feet high above Yalimattam, 90 feet long north to south and 65 feet broad east to west. At the top of the Gopuram the width is 20 feet and length is 49 feet. To indicate that the Gopuram consists of nine storeys there are nine Kalasams (copper finial stoopies) at the top of the Gopuram. The Gopuram of this temple is visible for many kilometers around. The Principal entrance to the temple is facing south. Magnificent Shanmuga Vilas is is the frontal adjunct to the main Temple. The Mandapam is 120 feet long, 86 feet broad and supported by 124 columns. The moolavar at Tiruchendur has four arms holding a Rudraksha malai and his lance or Vel, noticeably missing, as he is known to be worshipping Shiva Lingam. Holy water tank is Saravana Theertham (Nazhi Kinaru) it is described in extensor in His epic, the Skanda Puranam. The young Muruga as the Devasenapati vanquishes the demonic forces led by Soorapadma. Lord Muruga vanquished Soorapadma at Tiruchendur. The Lord's heroic fight with Soora is enacted with religious fervor here during the annual Skanda Sashti festival shortly after Deepavali (October-November), witnessed by millions of people from all-over the State. Swing festival, Thai Poosam and Panguni Utthiram are celebrated with grandeur. Madurai and Thiruchirapalli Air-ports are 3 to 4 hours drive from this temple.



The third temple is at PALANI. Palani pronounced as Pazhani or Payhani, is 60 kilometers from Dindigul (Head Quarters of Dindigul District) on Dindigul Pollachi Road. The temple at Palani is an ancient one, situated at an elevation of 1500 feet above sea level with 697 steps to climb to the top. The deity of Palani is known as Dandayudhapani Swami, the Lord having the Staff in his Hand in a standing position. The deity at the sanctum sanctorum is made out of an amalgam of nine minerals popularly called Navabashana.There is another temple at the foot of the hill and is called Thiru Aavinankudi. Sage Agasthiya worshipped in this temple. Adi Sanakarar (8th century) visited this temple and offered prayers the famous hymn Sri Subramanya Bhujangam and Kandar Kali- Venpa were composed at this sacred spot. The Golden Chariot goes round the praharam on the top of the hill in a ceremonious procession along with nadaswaram, Tiruppukazh music and other temple paraphernalia at 7 pm on all Karttikai days and as per the request of the devotees. The annual Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the month of Panguni (March/April). Panguni Utthiram, Thai Poosam, Kandha Sashti, Vaikasi Vishakam, Tirukkarthikai, and other festivals are celebrated. Devotees are known to reach the temple on foot even from cities as far as Chennai, Devakottai, or Thirunelveli. Palani is famous for its Panchamirtham, which is prepared like fruit jam, and Vibhuthi (Ash to apply on one's forehead. The Devasthanam prepares Panchamirtham, Vibhuthi, and other items, which are sold for reasonable price. There are many temples at Palani like Tiruvavinankudi, Periyanayaki Amman temple, Shanmuganathi group of temples, Idumban Hills, Vishnu temple, Paada Vinayagar temple, and 108 Vinayagar shrines around this hill temple. Kodaikanal, the hill resort, is near Palani. Lord Muruga here is also known as Palani Andavar, Dandayudhapani Swami, Kulandaivelan, Balasubrahmanyan, Shanmukhan, Devasenapati, Swaminathan, Vallimanalan, Devayanaimanalan, Kurijiandavar (Kodaikkanal which is 64 kilometers from here), Arumuga, Gnana Panditha, Saravana, Saeval Kodiyon, etc. There is train service to Palani. Palani is in Dindigul - Pollachi - Coimbatore Railway Line. Palani is at 2 hours drive from Coimbatore, Thiruchirapalli, or Madurai Airports.

The fourth temple is at SWAMIMALAI. Swamimalai, also known as Tiruverakam, is 8 kilometers from Kumbakonam, on the way to Thiruvaiyaru, in Thanjavur District on the banks of the river Cauvery. Thanjavur is 32 kilometers from Swamimalai. The temple is situated very close to the bus stand and the railway station is about two kilometers away. It is well connected to and surrounded by important places like Tiruvidaimarutur, Mayiladuthurai, and Papanasam, Thanjavur etc. This temple is built on an artificially constructed mound with 60 steps representing the cycle of 60 Tamil years. Facing the sanctum is an elephant and not a peacock. This temple is associated with the legend of Skanda having re-initiated his father Shiva, with the concept of the oneness of creation of Omkaram. Arunagirinathar worshipped at this temple. There are also shrines to Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Veerabaagu, Arunagirinathar, Surya, Chandra, Idumban, and Dhandayutapani here. The sthala vriksham is the Nellimaram. The theerthams here are Vajra theertham, Saravana Theertham, Netra Pushkarani and Kumarathurai (Cauvery). Temple Car festival in April, Vishakam festival in May, Navaratri festival in May, Skanda Sashti festival lasting for 6 days in October, Thiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December, Thaippoosam festival in January and Pankuni Utthiram festival in March are celebrated every year. It has been praised in Tirumurugaatruppadai of the Tamil Sangam period and by the Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar. The nearest Airport is at Thiruchirapalli, which is within 2 hours drive.

The fifth temple is at THIRUTTHANI also known as Thanigachalam, Santhipuri, and Skandagiri. Thirutthani is in Thiruvallur District on the Chennai - Tirupathi route, 84 kilometers from Chennai. It is 13 kilometers from Arakkonam Town (Vellore District) and 42 kilometers from Kancheepuram. This hill temple is reached by road or accessible by 365 steps. At the foot of the hill there is a Pushkarani (temple tank), called the Saravana Poigai. There are three more pushkaranies known as Vishnu Theertham, Naga Theertham, and Brahma Theertham. The temple has four praharam and a series of towers. In the third Praharam of the temple, one can see the Dwajasthamba Vinayagar and Uma Maheshwarar Sannathi. The Ucchi Pillaiyar Sannathi is located in the western side. The second Praharam has Sannithies of Prasannakatheswarar, Kamakshi Amman with Ekambareswarar, Arumuga Swami and Kumareswarar Lingam worshipped by Lord Skanda himself. A flight of five steps from the second Praharam, called the Panchakshara Padigal, leads to the first Praharam. One reaches the main Garba graham of the Thanigesa Peruman by Crossing the Sthapana Mandapam and Artha Mandapam, The Sannathi of Chandeshwarar and Bairavar are also located in this area of the temple. The Rudraksha Mandapam is a unique Mandapam with rooftop made of Rudraksha beads. There are sub-shrines for Shanmukhan, Abathsahaaya Vinayagar, Arunagirinathar, Veerabhadrar, Nava Veerargal and Sooryan or Sun God. Lord Thanigesa is seen with one hand on his lap. His other hand is holding ‘the Vel’. Garlands made up of green stones and golden Vilva leaves adorn the deity. This is the place where Lord Muruga had married Valli. The float festival is celebrated in the month of Aadi (July-August). The Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the month of Maasi (February - March). During Brahmothsavam Valli Kalyanam is celebrated on the 8th day, and the Skanda Sashti is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aippasi October/November). The gold and silver peacock vaahanams are of great beauty. The monthly Karttikai attracts a large number of devotees to this shrine. The annual festivals are the Aadi (July/August) Karttikai, which lasts for 3 days. On December 31, a large number of devotees congregate at Tiruttani. They sing Tiruppukazh while climbing the steps leading to the temple at the hilltop and worship the Lord Thanigesa (Muruga). A Golden Car 18 feet in height gilded with nine kilos of gold and crafted with exquisite craftsmanship may be taken out and pulled in procession around the temple upon payment. Places such as Kancheepuram (the Temple City) on the South, Sholingur and Vallimalai on the West, Tirupathi and Kalahasti on the North and Tiruvalangadu on the East. Airports at Tirupathi, Chennai, and Bangalore are within reasonable distance. This small town is also the birthplace of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a philosopher - statesman and former President of India.
The sixth temple is at PAZHAMUDHIRCHOLAI. The temple is also 19 kilometers from Madurai on a hill. The Valli gugai or Valli cave in the premises nearby houses the Sannathi for Valli, Murugan's consort and for Lord Dattathreya. Entering the Muruga temple through the Shanmuga Vilasa mandapam, one gets enchanted by the 124 pillars that stand as testimony to the architecture and craftsmanship that prevailed then. This hill is also known as Vrishabhadri or Idabagiri. At the foot of the hill is situated Azhakar Kovil, which is one among the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams. This temple is venerated by the Skanda puranam and by Nakkeerar’s Thirumurugatrupadai of the Sangam period. Arunagirinathar's Thirupugazh also reveres this shrine. At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Raakkayi Amman. Azhagar Kovil, the temple of Sri Narayana, is also near Pazhamuthircholai. Pankuni Utthiram festival is in March, Vishakam festival is in May, Skanda Sashti festival is in October, and Thiru Karthikai festival is in Nov/December. Nearest Airport is at Madurai.