திருப்போரூர் கந்தசுவாமி கோயில்Tiruporur Kandaswamy Temple

Sthala Mahātmyam

Tiruporur Kandaswamy Temple, in Chengalpattu district, honours Murugan in his warrior form as Kandaswamy. The name 'Tiruporur' means 'holy place of battle,' for tradition holds that Murugan waged war here against the asuras, completing the trilogy in which he fought in the sea at Tiruchendur, on land at Tiruparankundram and in the air at Tiruporur, vanquishing the demon Tarakasura and establishing the triumph of light over darkness. The granite sanctum enshrines a seven-foot east-facing standing image of Kandaswamy bearing the Vel, with his peacock beside him and separate shrines for consorts Valli and Deivanai. The image is revered as swayambhu (self-manifested), and hence no abhishekam is performed upon it. Attributed to the Pallava era and later restored by the sage Chidambara Swamigal and his lineage, the temple is among the shrines sung by Arunagirinathar in the Thiruppugazh. Chief festivals include Skanda Sashti with Soorasamharam, Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthiram and Vaikasi Visakam.