Kumaran Kundram

Kumaran Kundram in Chrompet has become an important Murugan temple of Chennai in the past few years. Unlike other Murugan shrines, it is not too old, though.

Situated atop a hill that can be reached through well-laid 100+ granite steps, the temple is said to be a replica of the famous Swamimalai temple. 

The presiding deity is called Swaminathan or Aishwarya Murugan. The infant Murugan holds a spear in his hand. Instead of his usual peacock, an elephant is found as his vaahana.

The view from the top shows the entire Chrompet and its neighborhood. A perennial spring called Kumara Teertham is located amidst the serene surroundings. 

Besides the three-tiered tower at the entrance on the hilltop, there is another five-tiered tower at the base on the roadside.

Although the temple was constructed in 1979, Ganesha's shrine at the base was now built in the 1950s. Arunagirinathar mandapam is located at the base where many functions and even marriages are conducted. 

A big metal icon of Shanmukha and his consorts Valli and Devasena, is found in a separate shrine. Among many weapons he holds, discus and conch are noteworthy. It is rare to find Murugan with shankha and chakra. Another highlight of this icon is that we could see all his six heads if we circumambulate him. It is not possible in other temples, as the backside of the shrine would remain blocked. Arumuga Nayinar in Nellaiyappar temple is an exception, though.

Kali seated on a lion, and Navagrahas are also found at the base.

In the middle of the hill, say after we climb 20+ steps, there is Idumban's sub-shrine.

In the center of the hill, there is a separate temple for Sundareswara Linga (Shiva). The sanctum is in the apsidal (Gajaprshtha) style. Hence, I doubt if it was constructed recently. I believe there must have been an original structure with a Shiva Linga. 

Besides Sundareswara, Meenakshi is too found in a separate shrine. 

Ganesha, Rishabharudana, Dakshinamurti and Vishnu are the Koshta murtis. Chandikeshwara is seen in his usual location. 

The metal icon of Nataraja is unusual as the deity is raised his right leg instead of his left leg in a dancing posture. 

Surya, Chandra, Bhairava and Nalvar are the usual deities found in their corresponding positions. Sharbeswara is seen in a sub-shrine. Another shrine has many metal icons. 

On the main shrine of Swaminatha, all three niches have three different forms of Murugan. Vishnu Durga, Chandikeshwara and utsava Murugan-Valli-Devasena and Arunagirinathar are other deities found there.

Happy travelling.