Six Abodes of Murugan (Arupadai Veedu): Temple-by-Temple Guide with Skanda Sashti 2026 and Thaipusam 2027

Last updated: 7 October 2026 · By the Divine Hindu team · ~14 min read

What are the six abodes of Murugan?

The six abodes of Murugan, Arupadai Veedu (ஆறுபடை வீடு) in Tamil, are Thiruparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruttani and Pazhamudircholai. These six Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu are held especially sacred to him. Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is also known as Kartikeya, Skanda and Subramanya. He carries the vel, a spear, and rides a peacock.

Aru means six in Tamil, and padai veedu is usually read as a camp of Murugan's army, so the name is often translated as the six camps.

The tradition is old. The Tirumurugatrupadai, whose title means Guide to Lord Murugan, opens the Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls) of Sangam literature, the classical layer of Tamil poetry. Credited to the poet Nakkeerar, it describes six places sacred to Murugan. Later, the devotional poet Arunagirinathar sang verses for each of the six in his Tiruppugazh hymns. Some abodes also carry older Tamil names, such as Tiruchiralaivai for Tiruchendur and Tiruverakam for Swamimalai.

Which is the first abode of Murugan?

Thiruparankundram, on the edge of Madurai, is the first of the six abodes. The sections below follow the traditional order.

1. Thiruparankundram, Madurai district: where Murugan married Deivanai

The Subramaniya Swamy Temple here is cut into the rock of a hill. By tradition, Murugan married Deivanai (Devasena), the daughter of Indra, here after defeating the demon Soorapadman, so families come to pray for marriage. Its main shrine also holds Shiva as Parangirinathar, with Vishnu, Vinayaka and Durga, and tradition says Nakkeerar composed his poem here.

Our listing is a Murugan Archana at Thiruparankundram: the chanting of Murugan's names, usually 108, as the priest offers flowers or kumkum (vermilion) at each name.

2. Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district: the abode by the sea

Tiruchendur's Subramaniya Swamy Temple, also called the Tiruchendur Murugan Temple, stands on the seashore, the only one of the six beside the sea. Tradition holds that Murugan defeated Soorapadman here. When the demon became a mango tree, Murugan split it in two; one half became his peacock mount, the other the rooster on his banner.

Each year the battle is re-enacted as Soorasamharam, the slaying of Soora, during Skanda Sashti. Shanmugar, Murugan's six-faced form, has a shrine of his own. Pilgrims bathe in the sea and then in water from Nazhi Kinaru, a sacred spring-fed well. Our Murugan Abhishekam at Tiruchendur is the ritual bathing of the image with mantras, followed by alankaram (decoration), archana and aarti (the waving of lamps).

3. Palani, Dindigul district: Murugan as Dhandayuthapani

The Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, also called the Palani Murugan Temple, crowns Sivagiri, the higher of Palani's two hills. Murugan stands here as Dhandayuthapani, a young renunciant with a shaven head, holding only a staff (danda). Tradition says the sage Narada brought Shiva a fruit of wisdom, to go to whichever son first circled the world three times. Ganesha won it by circling his parents while Murugan flew around the world on his peacock, and Murugan withdrew here.

The image is believed to have been consecrated by Bogar, one of the Siddhars (Tamil yogi-sages), from navapashanam, an amalgam of nine substances. Thiru Avinankudi, the temple at the foot of the hill, is also counted among the six abodes. Thaipusam brings very large numbers of pilgrims, many carrying kavadi, a burden borne on the shoulders. The custom may echo the story of Idumban, who carried two hills on his shoulders for the sage Agastya.

Our Kattalai Puja Sponsorship at Palani lets you sponsor the temple's daily worship of Murugan, or one part of it, on a chosen date.

4. Swamimalai, Thanjavur district: the son who taught his father

The Swaminathaswamy Temple stands on a small hillock at Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam, beside a tributary of the Kaveri. Tradition says Brahma could not explain Om, the Pranava mantra, so the young Murugan held him captive and then explained it to Shiva himself. That is why he is called Swaminatha here.

Sixty steps lead up, each named after a year of the sixty-year Tamil cycle. The main festival, Vaikasi Visakam, falls on the Visakam star of the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May to June) and celebrates Murugan's birthday. Our Moolavar Abhishekam at Swamimalai bathes the moolavar, the main fixed image, rather than the utsavar, the festival image carried in processions.

5. Tiruttani, Tiruvallur district: the hill where anger cooled

The Subramanyaswamy Temple at Tiruttani stands on a hill. By tradition, Murugan came here to rest, calm after his battle, and married Valli, whom he had wooed disguised as a hunter. The name is traced to the Tamil Seruttani, from seru (anger) and thani (sating).

The climb has 365 steps, one for each day of the year, and on new year's eve the steps are washed and smeared with turmeric. Thirukalyanam, Murugan's wedding festival, falls in the Tamil month of Masi (February to March). Our Panchamirtha Abhishekam at Tiruttani bathes Murugan in panchamirtham, five sweet things such as fruit, jaggery, honey, ghee and milk products.

6. Pazhamudircholai, Madurai district: the grove in the Alagar hills

The Solaimalai Murugan Temple stands in the forested Alagar hills near Madurai, on the same hills as the Alagar Kovil Vishnu temple. Murugan is worshipped here with both his consorts, Valli and Deivanai, and pilgrims bathe in the Nupura Gangai stream.

Tradition holds that Murugan, disguised as a shepherd boy in a naaval (jamun) tree, offered fruit here to the Tamil poet Avvaiyar. He asked whether she wanted it cooked or uncooked. Our Murugan Archana at Pazhamudircholai is booked in your name and performed by the temple's priests.

What is each abode known for, and what can you book there?

Here are the six side by side, with the seva our listing offers at each and its add-ons.

A kavacham, literally armour, is an ornamental covering for the image. Sandal Kappu covers the image in sandal paste, and a Sahasranama Archana chants a thousand names.

When is Skanda Sashti in 2026?

Skanda Sashti 2026 runs from Tuesday 10 November to Sunday 15 November, with Soorasamharam on Sunday 15 November 2026 (Drik Panchang, Chennai). Sashti, also spelt Shashti, is the sixth day of the lunar fortnight.

Devotees keep a six-day fast from Prathamai, the first day of the bright fortnight after Deepavali, to the sixth, Soorasamharam day. Drik Panchang calls Tiruchendur's celebration the most famous. For a seva during these days, see our Skanda Sashti pujas.

When is Karthigai Deepam in 2026?

Karthigai Deepam falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, with the Krittika nakshatra (star) from 2:02 AM to 11:25 PM IST that day. Tradition holds that the six Krittika maidens raised six infants whom Parvati joined into the six-faced Murugan. Homes light clay lamps for the festival, and the Krittika star day each month is traditional for Murugan worship.

When is Thaipusam in 2027?

Thaipusam falls on Friday 22 January 2027, with the Poosam nakshatra from 10:24 AM on 22 January to 7:31 AM on 23 January IST (Drik Panchang, Chennai). It is kept at the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, under the Poosam star. Tradition holds that on this day Parvati gave Murugan the vel, his spear, with which he defeated Soorapadman. Palani keeps it as a ten-day festival, and pilgrims carry kavadi or pots of milk. See our Thaipusam pujas.

Are there Subramanya temples outside Tamil Nadu?

Yes. The six abodes are all in Tamil Nadu, but Murugan is also worshipped as Subramanya in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Ghati Subramanya and Mopidevi are two shrines that worship him in serpent form.

Ghati Subramanya, near Doddaballapura (Karnataka)

Ghati Subramanya lies near Doddaballapura, north of Bengaluru. Subramanya and Narasimha share one image here. Subramanya, as a seven-hooded serpent, faces east; Narasimha faces west and is seen in a mirror behind the image.

Families pray here about naga dosha, a serpent-related placement in a horoscope, and many install serpent stones, a rite called Naga Prathishta. The car festival falls on Pushya Shuddha Shashti, the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Pushya. Our Subramanya Archana at Ghati Subramanya is booked in your name; Naga Prathishta needs you present and is not part of this booking.

Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple, Mopidevi (Andhra Pradesh)

The Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple stands at Mopidevi in Krishna district. By tradition, Subrahmanya is worshipped here as a serpent, and India's tourism ministry records the belief that he did penance here in that form. Families pray here about naga dosha, and many visit on Subrahmanya Shashti, his yearly festival day, and Nagula Chavithi, a day of serpent worship in the Telugu states. Our Subrahmanyeswara Abhishekam at Mopidevi is booked in your name.

How to book a Murugan seva in your name at the six abodes

Choose the temple and seva, book the Murugan puja online with up to four names, and our team settles the details with you on WhatsApp. These terms apply to all eight listings in this guide.

• Who and where: the temple's own priests perform the seva at that temple.
• Your sankalp: the priest's statement of intent carries your name and gotra (family lineage), and your birth star if you share it, for up to four names.
• Before processing: the date, the number of names and whether the temple accepts the seva without you are confirmed with you on WhatsApp.
• Proof: the temple receipt or a confirmation on WhatsApp after the puja. Photos are shared only where the temple allows them, and no private video is promised.

The listings, in order:

• Murugan Archana at Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram: a fitting offering on a wedding anniversary.
• Murugan Abhishekam at Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur: Skanda Sashti adds special meaning here.
• Kattalai Puja Sponsorship at Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani: offered in your name on the date you agree.
• Moolavar Abhishekam at Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai: the bathing and decoration of the main fixed image.
• Panchamirtha Abhishekam at Subramanyaswamy Temple, Tiruttani: ask our team about dates around Thirukalyanam.
• Murugan Archana at Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai: a Tuesday or a birthday by birth star suits it.
• Subramanya Archana at Ghati Subramanya Temple, Doddaballapura: Naga Panchami, the serpent festival, is also a fitting day.
• Subrahmanyeswara Abhishekam at Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple, Mopidevi: many families choose Subrahmanya Shashti or Nagula Chavithi.

Browse all Murugan pujas or the wider list of pujas in Tamil Nadu. Divine Hindu is an independent service and is not affiliated with any temple administration.

How we checked this guide

Temple facts start from details our team vetted for each listing. Added details were checked against Wikipedia, Karnataka government and Incredible India pages, Hinduism Today and Dinamalar's temple guide. Legends are given as tradition, dates follow Drik Panchang set to Chennai (IST), and anything we could not confirm was left out.

Sources:

• Wikipedia: Six Abodes of Murugan; Kartikeya; Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai; Ten Idylls
• Wikipedia: Thiruparankundram; Tiruchendur; Palani; Swamimalai; Tiruttani; Pazhamudircholai; Ghati Subramanya
• Wikipedia: Thaipusam; Karthika Deepam
• Drik Panchang (Chennai): Soorasamharam 2026; Thaipusam 2027; Karthigai Deepam 2026
• Hinduism Today: Journey to Murugan (2007)
• Dinamalar temple guide: Solaimalai Murugan Temple
• Bengaluru Rural district administration: Ghati Subramanya; Karnataka Tourism: Ghati Subramanya Temple
• Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism): Mopidevi Temple

What to read next

For the six-day fast and home worship, read our Skanda Sashti vratham guide. The vel, kavadi and vows are explained in Thaipusam: significance and observance, and Murugan's image in the symbolism of Murugan idols. Swamimalai is near Kumbakonam, so pair it with the Navagraha temples near Kumbakonam, the nine planet shrines. If you cannot travel, our paroksha seva guide explains worship offered in your absence. The year's dates are in our Hindu festival calendar 2026, and every seva is on the Pujas hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Arupadai Veedu mean?

Aru means six in Tamil, and padai veedu is usually read as a camp of Murugan's army, so the phrase is often translated as the six camps. It names Murugan's six abodes in Tamil Nadu: Thiruparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruttani and Pazhamudircholai.

Which of the six abodes of Murugan is by the sea?

Tiruchendur, in Thoothukudi district, is the only one of the six abodes on the seashore. Tradition holds that Murugan defeated the demon Soorapadman there, and the victory is re-enacted as Soorasamharam during Skanda Sashti. In 2026 Soorasamharam falls on Sunday 15 November (Drik Panchang, Chennai).

Why is Murugan called Dhandayuthapani at Palani?

At Palani, Murugan stands as a young renunciant holding only a staff, or danda, hence the name Dhandayuthapani. Tradition says he withdrew there after Ganesha won the fruit of wisdom that the sage Narada brought to Shiva, by circling their parents while Murugan circled the world.

Which Murugan temple do families visit to pray for marriage?

Families pray for marriage at Thiruparankundram, where tradition places Murugan's wedding to Deivanai. Tiruttani, where he is said to have married Valli, celebrates Thirukalyanam, his wedding festival. You can offer an archana or abhishekam in your name at either, as a prayer in faith.

When is Thaipusam in 2027?

Thaipusam falls on Friday 22 January 2027. The Poosam nakshatra runs from 10:24 AM on 22 January to 7:31 AM on 23 January IST, according to Drik Panchang for Chennai. Palani keeps it as a ten-day festival, with pilgrims carrying kavadi or pots of milk.

Which day of the week is kept for Murugan?

Tuesday is Murugan's weekly day. Shashti, the sixth day of each lunar fortnight, and the monthly Krittika star day are also traditional, as is a birthday kept by birth star. Skanda Sashti, Karthigai Deepam and Thaipusam add special meaning to a seva.

Can I book a puja at the six abodes without travelling?

You can book online for up to four names with your gotra, and the temple's priests perform the seva at the temple. The date, and whether the temple accepts the seva without you, are confirmed on WhatsApp before your booking is processed. You then receive the temple receipt or a WhatsApp confirmation.

Is Ghati Subramanya one of the six abodes?

No. All six abodes are in Tamil Nadu. Ghati Subramanya, near Doddaballapura north of Bengaluru, is a Karnataka shrine where Subramanya and Narasimha share one image, with Narasimha seen in a mirror. Like the Mopidevi temple in Andhra Pradesh, it draws families who pray about naga dosha.

Customs vary by family, temple and region, and nothing here promises any material or spiritual result. Temple schedules change, so dates and sevas are confirmed with you before booking. Divine Hindu is an independent service and is not affiliated with any temple administration.