Kandhakottam Kandhaswamy Murugan Temple

In the seventeenth century there were two ardent devotees of Lord Muruga-Thiru Mari Chetty and Thiru Kandapandaram, who use to visit Thiruporur Sri Kandaswamy Temple, a famous centre of piety situated on the Madras Mahabalipuram visit that temple, every month on the Kirthigai asterism day. In 1672 when they reached Thiruporur they were very tired and decided to take rest under a margosa tree near a tank. As they were slumbering, they had a divine dream in which Lord Muruga appeared and informed them that they would find a beautiful idol of Murugan inside an anthill near Tirupporur on a Krithigai day. Along with his associate Kandappa Achari, he brought the idol to Chennai and initially installed it in his home for worship. Later, with contributions from his wife—who donated her gold ornaments—and with the support of local patrons like Muthiyalu Naicken who donated land, the current temple was constructed. Over time, the structure was rebuilt in stone in the 1800s and grew into a sprawling complex spread over eight acres, featuring a five-tiered Rajagopuram, the sacred Saravana Poigai tank, and a Magizham tree as its sthala viruksham.

The moolavar Sri Kandaswamy, which was brought from Thiruporur is two feet high and Sri Valli and Sri Deivayanai are on either side ago this presiding deity. learn about Thiruporur Murugan Temple

Mythological History

Vallalar Sri Ramalinga Swamigal, Srimad Pamban Kumaragudasa Swamigal, Srimad Thiruporur Chidambara Swamigal, Srimad Vannacharabam Dandapani Swamigal has praised the lord Sri Kandaswamy alias sri muthukumaraswamy to deliver songs among this saint speciallyVallalar Sri Ramalinga Swamigal came to the temple at the age of nine and sat before the lord Kandaswamy to praise the lord and deliver the devotional Deivamanimaalai contains 31 songs.

The celebrated saint poet Sri Ramalinga Swamigal was an ardent worshipper at the temple nearly a hundred and fifty years ago and had composed 31 soul-inspiring devotional hymns in praise of the deity known as Deiva Mani Malai. Saint Ramalingam sang this divine composition at the very young age of nine years at this temple. So also Saint Srimad Kumaragurudass Pamban Swamigal, Srimad Vannasarabam Dandapani Swamigal and Srimad Chidambara Swamigal of Thiruporur have also worshipped at the temple and have enhanced its sacredness and divine glory.

Temple Features:

Saravana Poigai is located within the temple premises presents and enchanting view and is always full of clear water.

In the entrance mandapam before the North prakaram besides two Vinayagar idols on each side, there are the idols of Bhairavar and Veerabadhrar. In East Prakaram, there are shrines for Thiruporur Sri Chidambara Swamigal, Vannasarapam Sri Dandapani Swamigal and Sri Ramalin Templeigalar.

There is also a small shrine for Sri Arunagirinathar. On the right-hand side of the presiding deity, there is a separate shrine for Sri Valli and on the left side a shrine for Shri Deiva-yanai. So also, next to the small shrine for Sri Deivayanai, there is a small shrine for Sri Chokkanatha Eswarar and by its side there is the shrine for the goddess Sri Meenakshi and near it is the shrine of Sri Uthsava Arumugaswamy.

The area covered by the temple is about eight acres. The moolavar Arulmigu Kandaswamy, which was brought from Thiruporur is two high and Arulmigu Valli and Arulmigu Deivayanai are on either side of this presiding deity. There are also other shrines in the temple. The uthsava moorthi is known as Sri Muthukumaraswamy with consorts Valli and Deivayanai and is enshrined in a separate shrine before a big uthsava mandapam. There is also a separate shrine near the temple tank for Sri Kulakkarai Vinayagar with Siddhi and Buddhi as his consorts shrine, Near this Vinayagar shrine there is also a separate shrine for Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Goddess Visalakshi.

Temple Amenities

Marriage Hall

• Marriage hall available inside the temple premises.
• Cost of marriage hall basic -5000, with decoration/priest -15,000.
• Booking can be at temple office or online (ID proof & horoscope needed)

Tonsure Facility 

• Tonsure facility available near the temple premises.

Vechile Parking

• No official parking lot inside or adjacent to the temple grounds.

• Two‑wheelers can usually park on nearby streets – space is limited but available.

• Four‑wheeler parking is very difficult – car users are strongly encouraged to park farther away and walk to the temple.

• Unofficial fees are often collected by locals: typically ₹20–₹50 for cars, ₹10–₹20 for bikes.

Information Centre – Kandha Kottam Temple (Short Points)

• There is no formal visitor information centre.

• However, the temple is managed by TN HR&CE, and help desks or volunteer guides are typically available near:

  • The entrance and Parivedan Mandapam (hall for devotees)

  • Around the Saravana Poigai tank.