Kuil Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani
The main deity of this temple is Murugan, the god of love and war. Visitors need to climb 513 stairs to reach the temple. It is the focal point of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia, after the Batu Caves. The hilltop temple, with its seven-storey 21.6m-tall gopuram (main tower), has been touted as the largest Lord Murugan temple outside India.
Location: 17, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Pulau Tikus, George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia 10350. 14 May 2017.
Murugan
God of Love and War. The six most sacred abodes of Murugan as mentioned in Tamil sangam literature.
1. Thiruparankundram
According to the legend it is where Murugan slayed the demon Surapadman and married Deivayanai, the divine daughter of the king of heaven, Indra, and he is said to have worshipped Shiva here as Parangirinathar. Read More
2. Tiruchendur
It is believed to be the place where Muruga conquered the demon Surapadma. It is believed that the demigods of Muruga wanted to worship him in a place where there was a mountainous tract, sea and river and hence Tiruchendur was chosen.Read More
3. Palani
The 1st of 6 Abodes of Murugan, it is located in the city of Palani. Palani temple is considered synonymous with Panchamritam, a sweet mixture made of five ingredients.Read More
4. Swamimalai
As per Hindu legend, Muruga, the son of Shiva, extolled the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (AUM) to his father at this place and hence attained the name Swaminathaswamy. The temple is believed to be in existence from the Sangam period from 2nd century BC and was believed to have been modified and rebuilt by Parantaka Chola I. Read More
5. Thiruthani
Thiruthani Murugan temple is a Hindu temple, on the hill of Thiruttani, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to Lord Muruga. The hill has 365 steps indicating 365 days of the year. It is fifth among the six abodes of Lord Muruga (Aarupadai veedugal). Read More
6. Pazhamudircholai
The great Tamil poet and saint Avvaiyar was tested by Muruga here. In an episode of Divine Play with Avvaiyar, one of the most famous devotees of Muruga, the Lord enacted a great drama here. Read More
Tamil Religions
Tamil religions denotes the religious traditions and practices of Tamil-speaking people. The Tamils are native to modern state of India known as Tamil Nadu and the northern and eastern part of Sri Lanka. Tamils also live outside their native boundaries due to migration such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, United States, Canada, Réunion, Myanmar, Mauritius and in countries in Europe. Many emigrant Tamils retain elements of a cultural, linguistic, and religious tradition that predates the Christian era.Read More
Early Tamil Religion
A Neolithic cattle-herding culture existed in Tamil Country several millennia prior to the Christian era. By the fifth century, a relatively well-developed civilization had emerged. It is described in some detail in Tamil texts such as the Tholkappiyam (third BCE) and by the Sankam poets—an “academy” of poets who wrote in the first two centuries of the Common Era.Read More
