Sri Kumarakottam - Kanchipuram Lord Murugar Temple

This is one of the famous Murugar temple located in the center of Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu.The Rajagopuram of this temple is located in the west direction of Kamatchi amman temple. I visited this temple around 7 PM and hence the pictures are not clear.

Location :

This is very close to Kamatchi amman temple and located in Rajavedhi street There is a very narrow by-pass available from Kamatchi amman temple to reach this kumarakottam.

Address :

West Rajavedhi, Kanchipuram ( near sankara madam)

Temple Timings:

6 AM to 12 PM and 3.30 PM to 9 PM

Sthala History:

This temple is one of the oldest temple with history going back to the days of Kanthapuranam which is of 11th century.Kandapuranam is one of the 18 old puranas as per Hindu mythology and it praises Lord Murugar. This is authored by Sri Kachiappa Sivachariyar. The starting line of Kandapuranam was initiated by Lord Murugar himself. Sri Kachiappa Sivachariyar will author the Kandapuranam scripts everyday and used to submit it to the feet of Lord Murugar in this temple. Lord Murugar himself will read and make updates to the puranam in the night. Hence this Kandapuranam is considered to be authoritative account of Lord Murugar himself.

Still the place in the temple where Sri Kachiappa Sivachariar read the Kandapuranam and it is called "Kandapuranam Iyariya Mandapam"

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Murugar punished Lord Brahma since he did not answered the meaning of "PRANAVA MANTRAM" which is "OM". Hence he prisonned Lord Brahma from his duty and took the creation responsibility from Lord Brahma and installed himself in this sanctum in the brahmasasta form.

All Deities of Kanchipuram will pass before Kumara Kottam during their festival procession.

The famous saint Arunagirinathar who authored "THIRUPUGAZH" in praise of Lord Murugar authored "ARIVILAPPITTAR" from this temple.

In early 20th century, Lord Murugar himself came in the form of small boy to guide Saint Pamban Swamigal to reach this temple.


Temple also recently installed a status of Kirupananda Variyar who has spent his life as a devotee of Lord Murugar.