MURUGAN

   The Tamil word Murugan menas beauty, youthfulness divine etc,.  Murugan is the God with these aspects.  Subramaniyam, Kanthan, Velan, Kadampan, Karthigeyan, Kumaran, Saravanan etc., are other names for Murugan.  Each name has its own meaning.

   Arumugan is another name.  It means One with six faces.  Lord Siva has six faces but only five are apparent.  Arumugan is Siva in manifestation with six faces.  Sixth face is called Athomugam.  Others are Esanam, Ahoram, Thatpurusham, Vamathevam, and Saththiyosatham. Hence Murugan is sometimes referred to as Arumugach Sivan, meaning Siva with six faces.

    Murugan is seated on peacock with His consorts, Valli and Theivanai and holding Vel and Seval(cock).  Valli, Theivanai and Vel denote ichchai, kriyai and jnanam respectively.  The cock or seval crows in the early hours of the morning when the dawn breaks in and darkness vanishes.  It denotes the advent of God's Grace and the disappearance of the darkness of pasam of the souls.  The peacock on which He is seated denotes the liberated soul.  The snake in the leg of the peacock denotes anavam which is not annihilated even at mukthi but looses its power or grib on the soul.

   Murugan is described as Tamil God in the literatures of Tamil land.  Like Murugan, Tamil is a beautiful language with 'youthfulness and vigour'.  The Tamil vowels are classified as vallinam, mellinam and idaiyinam.  Each of these groups has six letters akin to the six faces of Murugan.  The eighteen vowels are comparable to His eighteen eyes.  The twelve consonants are comparable to His twelve hands.

   The Tamil epic Kanthapuranam speaks of the manifestation of Siva as Murugan, His marriage, and His fight against evil and wickedness symbolised as asuras.  Like a teacher He wispered Omhara Mantra (OM) to Siva and hence He is called Sivaguru.  By worshipping Murugan, we will be blessed with jnanam or knowledge, beauty, youthfulness, courage etc,.

THE TEMPLES OF LORD MURUGA:

1. THIRUPPARAMKUNTRAM

    It is near Madurai.  It is here that Lord Muruga married Theivayanai.

2. THIRUCHENDUR

    It is near Tuticorin.  It is here that Lord Muruga stayed before and after killing Soora Padman.

3. PALANI

    It is in Madurai District.  The thirtha of Saravan Poihai is here.  The shrine was installed by a sage called Bohar.

4. SWAMIMALAI

    It is 6 Kms west of Kumbakonam.  It is here that Lord Muruga unfolded mantras to Siva.

5. TIRUTTANI

    It is 75 Kms North west of Chennai.  It is here that Muruga married Valli.

6. PAZHAMUTHIRCHOLAI

    It is located near Madurai.  It is the last of the six important temples.