| Kumarakottam temple | |
|---|---|
Subramaniya swāmi temple | |
 Kumarakottam temple towers | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kānchipuram district |
| Deity | Subramanya Swāmi (Murugan) |
| Festivals | Kandha Shashti |
| Location | |
| Location | Kānchipuram city |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Location inTamil Nadu | |
| Geographic coordinates | 12°50′28″N79°42′04″E / 12.841°N 79.701°E /12.841; 79.701 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture (Pallava) |
| Completed | rebuilt 1915 CE. |
| Website | |
| kumarakottammurugantemple | |
TheKumara kottam Temple is aHindu temple inKānchipuram,Tamil Nādu,India. It is dedicated to LordMurugan, the Hindu war god and the son of the godsShiva and his motherPārvathi. The temple is also known as the Subramaniya Swāmi temple. The ancient temple was rebuilt in its present form in 1915 CE. The temple is one of the 21 major temples in Kānchipuram and is an important pilgrimage centre.[1] SaintAruna giri nādhar has sung hymns in praise of the Murugan icon of this temple.[2]
The Kumara kottam temple is located on the main Rāja Street.[3] It is said to form a cluster withEkāmbareswarar temple and theKāmākshi Amman temple but each temple has its own liturgical identity.[4] The Murugan temple is located between the temples of his parents – the Ekāmbareswarar temple dedicated toShiva and the Kāmākshi Amman temple dedicated toKāmākshi, an aspect of Pārvathi. Symbolically, this setting represents the iconography ofSomāskandha, an aspect of Shiva where he is depicted with Murugan and Pārvathi. The child Murugan is depicted seated between his parents. This representation led to the cult of Somāskandha.[5] All temples in Kānchipuram are stated to be dedicated to one extended family of gods.[4]
The temple legend in theKandha Purānam – the Tamil version of theSkanda Purāna which is mainly devoted to Murugan (also known as Skandha or Kandha) – states that Murugan had imprisoned the creator-godBrahmā here for the latter's ignorance ofOm, the single syllablemantra which is sacred in Hinduism and himself assumed the role of the creator in this place. However, Murugan's father Shiva had ordered him to release Brahmā. When Murugan realized his mistake in not obeying his father's instruction, he did penance before aLinga (theaniconic symbol of Shiva), which subsequently was worshipped by the name ofDevasenāpathīsar, literally, the Lord who was worshipped by Devasenāpathi (an epithet of Murugan as the commander-in-chief of the gods).[5] In another version it is said that the penitent Brahmā is said to have been released by Shiva after he worshipped Murugan after learning his lessons in humility.[3]
The temple was rebuilt during 1915.[6] It has the temple pinnacle (shikara) above the main sanctum (garbha griha), which is built in granite and is in the shape of a dome called thechakra vimānam (circular dome) which is aChola period structure. Thecorbels and thepilasters with epigraphs decorate the walls of the temple.[7] The temple has twoprakārams (circumambulatory passages) and manyparivāra devatās (family deities) are installed in subshrines around it.[2]
The central image of Murugan is uniquely depicted as Brahma-Shāstā, holding akamandalu (water pot) and prayer beads ofRudrāksha.[5]
The linga worshipped by Murugan is deified in a separate shrine within the temple complex and is calledDevasenāpathīsar orSenāpathi Ishvara.[8]
Kacchiyappar (Kacchiyappa Shiva āchāriyār), a Tamil scholar, was a priest in the Kumara kottam temple. He composed the textKandha Purānam. The hall, theKandhapurāna ArangetraMantapam(An outdoor pavilion) where Kacchiyappar composed the text still exists in the temple complex. Peacocks flock the premises even now.[5] Kacchiyappar wrote the epic in sixcantos, comprising 10,346 stanzas. It is believed that the first line of the first stanza was written by Kacchiyappar's patron deity, Murugan himself. The god is also believed to have corrected the 100 stanzas written by the priest during the day.[9] The poet took his composition to the god and rehearsed it.[10] Even now the priests in the temple are the descendants of Kacchiyappar.[2]
A popular festival held here isKandha Shashti (in November), 6th day of waxing (brightening) half of the lunar month Kārtthigai, named after Murugan, also known as Skandha (Kandhan in Tamil).[5] During the month ofKārtthigai (November–December) between the darker (waning) half and the brighter (waxing) half of Moon, celebrations are held in the temple when a very large number of lamps are lit in the temple.[4] The worship in the temple is scheduled six times daily. In every lunar month on the days of the rising star ofKirutthigai (as perHindu Calendar) festival is held in the temple when very large number of devotees offer prayers to the deity.[2] Each temple in Kānchipuram celebrates the Brahmā festival, asBrahmotsavam, when processions of gods are held in the morning and evening hours.[11]
