CHENNAI: The ancient Kandaswami Temple dedicated to Lord Muruga is located in Thiruporur on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), about 45 km from Chennai. The deity has been praised by Arunagirinathar, the 15th century Muruga devotee and poet in his Tamil work called Thirupugazh.
It is one of the most important centres of Muruga worship in and around Chennai. Thiruporur was also known as Thiruporiyur, Yuddhapuri and Samarapuri. According to tradition, after vanquishing the demon Soorapadman, Skanda destroyed the rest of the demons here. It is believed that this deity explained the principle of pranava (Om) to the gods in Thiruporur.
The central east-facing sanctum of this big and spacious temple enshrines the self-manifest (swayambhu) idol of Kandaswami in a standing posture. There are separate shrines for Valli and Deivayanai, the deity’s consorts, and other gods in this temple.
Huge granite pillars decorate the prakarams while a tall gopuram is seen at the entrance of the temple. Sculptures of Muruga as a warrior are seen on many pillars.
The large and beautiful temple-tank known as Saravana Poigai and also as Vallaiyar Odai is situated close to the shrine. The sacred tree of the temple is the Indian Nedler, called Mahizha maram in Tamil and Bakula in Sanskrit.
A Sanskrit inscription written in Grantha script, found on a pillar in this temple, is dated to the reign of King Rajasimha Pallava of the 8th Century. Inscriptions of Chola emperors like Kulottunga I and Vikrama Chola of the 11th and 12th centuries were also etched here. In the 17th century, Chidambara Swamigal discovered the image of Skanda in an anthill, rebuilt the temple and reinstalled the deity.
(The writer is a historian who focuses on temple architecture)