Kumarakottam Temple, Kanchipuram: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

Kumarakottam Temple is open every day, usually from early morning to late evening with a break in the afternoon. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festival days.

• MorningOpens early morning (around 5 to 6 AM)
• AfternoonShort break around midday at many temples
• EveningEvening aarti around sunset, closes by about 8 to 9 PM

Ask the temple office on arrival for the day's aarti schedule.

Dress Code & Temple Rules

• DressModest, traditional clothes covering shoulders and knees
• FootwearRemove before entering; use the shoe stand
• PhotographyNot allowed inside the sanctum
• Not AllowedLeather items, tobacco, alcohol, non-veg food
• QueueFollow queue lines and staff instructions on festival days

The Kumara kottam temple is located on the main Rāja Street. It is said to form a cluster with Ekāmbareswarar temple and the Kāmākshi Amman temple but each temple has its own liturgical identity. The Murugan temple is located between the temples of his parents – the Ekāmbareswarar temple dedicated to Shiva and the Kāmākshi Amman temple dedicated to Kāmākshi, an aspect of Pārvathi. Symbolically, this setting represents the iconography of Somāskandha, 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. All temples in Kānchipuram are stated to be dedicated to one extended family of gods.

The temple was rebuilt during 1915. 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 the chakra vimānam (circular dome) which is a Chola period structure. The corbels and the pilasters with epigraphs decorate the walls of the temple.

The temple has two prakārams (circumambulatory passages) and many parivāra devatās (family deities) are installed in subshrines around it.

Legend & Significance

The temple legend in the Kandha Purānam – the Tamil version of the Skanda Purāna which is mainly devoted to Murugan (also known as Skandha or Kandha) – states that Murugan had imprisoned the creator-god Brahmā here for the latter's ignorance of Om, the single syllable mantra 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 a Linga (the aniconic symbol of Shiva), which subsequently was worshipped by the name of Devasenāpathīsar, literally, the Lord who was worshipped by Devasenāpathi (an epithet of Murugan as the commander-in-chief of the gods). 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.

Festivals & Rituals at Kumarakottam Temple

A popular festival held here is Kandha Shashti (in November), 6th day of waxing (brightening) half of the lunar month Kārtthigai, named after Murugan, also known as Skandha (Kandhan in Tamil). During the month of Kārtthigai (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. The worship in the temple is scheduled six times daily. In every lunar month on the days of the rising star of Kirutthigai (as per Hindu Calendar) festival is held in the temple when very large number of devotees offer prayers to the deity. Each temple in Kānchipuram celebrates the Brahmā festival, as Brahmotsavam, when processions of gods are held in the morning and evening.