The Kumara kottam Temple is a Hindu temple in KÃÂnchipuram, Tamil NÃÂdu, India. It is dedicated to Lord murugan, the Hindu war god and the son of the gods Shiva and his mother PÃÂrvathi. The temple is also known as the Subramaniya SwÃÂmi temple. The ancient temple was rebuilt in its present form in 1915 CE. The temple is one of the 21 major temples in KÃÂnchipuram and is an important pilgrimage centre. Saint Aruna giri nÃÂdhar has sung hymns in praise of the Murugan icon of this temple.
The Kumara kottam temple is located on the main RÃÂja Street. It is said to form a cluster with EkÃÂmbareswarar temple and the KÃÂmÃÂkshi Amman temple but each temple has its own liturgical identity. The Murugan temple is located between the temples of his parents â the EkÃÂmbareswarar temple dedicated to Shiva and the KÃÂmÃÂkshi Amman temple dedicated to KÃÂmÃÂkshi, an aspect of PÃÂrvathi. Symbolically, this setting represents the iconography of SomÃÂskandha, an aspect of Shiva where he is depicted with Murugan and PÃÂrvathi. The child Murugan is depicted seated between his parents. This representation led to the cult of SomÃÂskandha. All temples in KÃÂnchipuram are stated to be dedicated to one extended family of gods.
The temple legend in the Kandha PurÃÂnam â the Tamil version of the Skanda PurÃÂna which is mainly devoted to Murugan (also known as Skandha or Kandha) â states that Murugan had imprisoned the creator-god Brahmàhere 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 BrahmÃÂ. 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 DevasenÃÂpathësar, literally, the Lord who was worshipped by DevasenÃÂpathi (an epithet of Murugan as the commander-in-chief of the gods). In another version it is said that the penitent Brahmàis said to have been released by Shiva after he worshipped Murugan after learning his lessons in humility.
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 vimÃÂnam (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 prakÃÂrams (circumambulatory passages) and many parivÃÂra devatÃÂs (family deities) are installed in subshrines around it.
The central image of Murugan is uniquely depicted as Brahma-ShÃÂstÃÂ, holding a kamandalu (water pot) and prayer beads of RudrÃÂksha.
The linga worshipped by Murugan is deified in a separate shrine within the temple complex and is called DevasenÃÂpathësar or SenÃÂpathi Ishvara.
Kacchiyappar (Kacchiyappa Shiva ÃÂchÃÂriyÃÂr), a Tamil scholar, was a priest in the Kumara kottam temple. He composed the text Kandha PurÃÂnam. The hall, the KandhapurÃÂna Arangetra Mantapam (An outdoor pavilion) where Kacchiyappar composed the text still exists in the temple complex. Peacocks flock the premises even now. Kacchiyappar wrote the epic in six cantos, 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. The poet took his composition to the god and rehearsed it. Even now the priests in the temple are the descendants of Kacchiyappar.
A popular festival held here is Kandha Shashti (in November), 6th day of waxing (brightening) half of the lunar month KÃÂrtthigai, named after Murugan, also known as Skandha (Kandhan in Tamil). During the month of KÃÂrtthigai (NovemberâÂÂDecember) 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 KÃÂnchipuram celebrates the Brahmàfestival, as Brahmotsavam, when processions of gods are held in the morning and evening hours.