Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur
Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district (on the shore of the Gulf of Mannar) · Lord Balasubramaniya Swamy (Murugan), also called Senthilandavar and Kadarkarai Aandi ('the ascetic of the seashore')
The second abode and the only one on the sea: where Murugan defeated Surapadman, re-enacted on the beach every Skanda Sashti.
Tiruchendur is the second of Murugan's six abodes and the only one built on the seashore; all the others are on hills. It marks the place where Murugan camped before, and worshipped Shiva after, his battle with the demon Surapadman, and its Skanda Sashti festival ends with the Soorasamharam on the beach, watched by lakhs of people. The temple stands right at the water's edge with a nine-tier rajagopuram about 48 m (157 ft) high. It received a Maha Kumbabhishekam (re-consecration) on 7 July 2025, its first in 16 years.
Timings
- Temple open (normal days): 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM, continuously
- Queue entry cut-off (from Aug 2026): Paid darshan queue until 6:30 PM; free queue until 7:00 PM
- Margazhi month: 3:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Vaikasi Visakam, Thaipusam, Kanda Sashti days 1 and 6, Avani and Masi festivals days 1 and 7: Opens 1:00 AM, closes 9:00 PM
- Other Avani/Masi festival days: 3:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Panguni Uthiram: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Darshan types and costs
- General (dharma) darshan – Free
- Special darshan (paid queue) – approx. ₹100 per person
Sevas and costs
- Abishega Poojai (abhishekam materials ticket) – ₹1,500 (Daily, slots 6:00–7:00 AM and 7:00–8:00 PM)
- Shanmugar Archanai – ₹5,000 (Daily, 4:00 – 4:30 PM)
- Golden Chariot (Thangaratham) procession – ₹2,500 (Every evening (report 4:00–5:00 PM; procession about 5–6 PM))
- Astothram Archanai – ₹5 (During temple hours)
- Sahasranama Archanai – ₹10 (During temple hours)
- Worship in Tamil (Annai Tamizhil Vazhipadu) – ₹5 (During temple hours)
- Thulabharam – Varies (by weight of the offering) (During temple hours)
How to book darshan
Abhishekam, Shanmugar archanai, golden chariot, archanai and temple lodges can be booked on the HR&CE portal. Darshan tickets are sold at the temple counter.
Dress code
Traditional dress for all ticketed services: dhoti/pyjama/trousers with shirt or kurta for men; saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta for women. Wet clothes from the sea bath should be changed before entering.
Best time to visit
November to February for weather. For the experience, Skanda Sashti (Oct–Nov) – but expect lakhs of people. Weekdays other than Tuesday are the least crowded.
How to reach
- air: Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) Airport, approx. 30 km; Madurai Airport, approx. 180 km.
- rail: Tiruchendur railway station is the terminus of the line from Tirunelveli (approx. 60 km); through trains run from Chennai (for example the Chendur Express).
- road: Frequent buses from Thoothukudi (approx. 40 km), Tirunelveli, Madurai and Chennai. Temple parking: car ₹50, van ₹75, bus/lorry ₹200.
Festivals
- Skanda Sashti and Soorasamharam – Aippasi (Oct–Nov). In 2026 the Soorasamharam is expected on about 15 November and the Thirukalyanam the next day (check)
- Avani festival – Avani (Aug–Sep), approx. 12 days
- Masi festival and Theppam – Masi (Feb–Mar), approx. 12 days
- Vaikasi Visakam – May–June
- Thaipusam – Thai (Jan–Feb); 22 January 2027
- Panguni Uthiram – Mar–Apr