Kandhan Kudi Temple

Sthalapurana:

  • Sri Devasena, growing up in Swarga, once decided to meditate on Lord Muruga
  • Dressed in a Tapasvini's attire, She reached Madhuvana (Thenkadu) on earth
  • Airavata sent by Lord Indra for Her protection, accompanied Her
  • Seated under a Panneer tree°, Devasena was soon engrossed in penance
  • In another part of the forest, the Ambar Daitya brothers were performing Tapas surrounded by fire to please Lord Shiva
  • Soon Lord Shiva appeared before them and gave them powerful boons
  • On returning to Kailash Parvat, Devi Parvati took up with Him the issue of Skanda's marriage
  • Lord Shiva indicated the divine damsel performing penance in Madhuvana
  • Devi Parvati was very pleased to see Their future daughter-in-law and was astonished by Her divine radiance
  • Meanwhile, the Daitya brothers started creating havoc on Heaven and earth
  • Lord Skanda got angry on the Daityas for misusing His Father's boons and set out to annihilate them
  • However, Devi Parvati stopped Him and said that the Daityas were fated to be killed by Her
  • Later, She directed Him to visit Madhuvana without revealing the reason
  • It was then that Lord Muruga heard someone calling His name
  • He also heard sounds of a parrot in that direction and started following it
  • When He reached the place, He was surprised to see a Tapasvini meditating on Him!
  • Charmed by the meditating maiden, He stood before Her
  • Just then the parrot chirped “Kumaran, Kumaran!”
  • Devasena opened Her eyes, and Skanda recognised Her as Indra's daughter
  • He blessed Her & then Devasena returned to Swarga, Her mission accomplished
  • The place where Devasena meditated, stands Kandhan Kudi Murugan temple
  • There is a separate shrine for Devasena, where She graces with a parrot in her Hand
  • Murugan first met Devasena at Kandhan Kudi as orchestrated by His mother Parvati Devi
  • In an arranged marriage, it is common for parents to arrange a meeting of the bride and the groom under their guidance
  • The Kandhan Kudi story illustrates this aspect of arranged marriage wonderfully
  • Some assume that Devasena's wedding was arranged on the spot after the war, but there seems to be quite a backstory to it!

    • (° - Tree very dear to Lord Muruga, its leaves are given as Prasad in Tiruchendur Murugan Temple

Sri Devasena, Kandhan Kudi

Right : Devasena with parrot, Left : Devasena's wedding - Kunkumam Magazine Art




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