Temple History: Sri Karthikeya Swami Temple,

Valli Teyvayanai Samedha Kanda Swami, Sri Karthikeya Swami Temple, Chandigarh

Temple History: Sri Karthikeya Swami Temple, Chandigarh

Far from home, Tamils in Chandigarh, the Union Territory and capital of Punjab and Haryana states of India have been striving to keep their Tamil culture and traditions intact. The threat of decade-old militancy, which took a heavy toll in this part of India, did not deter them though, however, for they believe that Tamil Kadavul (Tamil God) Murugan protects them from any eventuality.

It was during the peak of militancy in Punjab in the 1980’s when Tamils of Chandigarh city felt the need of a temple for Lord Muruga, who is the warrior fighting evil, to safeguard people from the militants. First a small vel (spear) was erected on a pedestal. Devotees started worshiping the vel by chanting Tiruppugazh bhajanam under the cover of darkness.

It is worth noted that not even a single family opted to shift to safer states out of fear but stood fast with a strong faith that Lord Muruga would save them. Their belief was not in vain, as the militant movement started waning soon thereafter. By 1990 the whole region was free from militancy.

People then felt that there should be a full-fledged temple for their Lord and started working towards it. A committee was formed to coordinate with people back in Chennai for arranging the architect, idols and other elements necessary for constructing a temple. Sthapati Rajagopal and his disciple Sthapati Thiagarajan from Chennai drew the blueprint for the temple and built the temple following Dravidian temple architecture with a mixture of Chola and Pallava style of gopuram.

Idols of Lord Muruga flanked by Valli and Devasena, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Krishna Mariamman along with small idols for the temple praharam (peripheral walls) such as Narthana Ganapati, Dakshina Murti, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga and Chandigeswar were chiseled by sculptors from Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and brought here with utmost care. Maha Swami of Kanchi Sankara Mutt named the deity as 'Lord Karttikeya Swami'

Mahakumbabishekam of Sri Karthikeya Swami Temple, Chandigarh, on April 29, 2002

Shivacharyas from Kanchipuram led by Rajappa Gurukkal along with Viswanatha Gurukkal performed Mahakumbhabhishekam (grand consecration) in January 1992. The temple has grown from strength to strength in the last decade. His holiness Jagathguru Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal and Bala Periyawar Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt visited the temple and blessed the devotees.

After a gap of ten years, the second Kumbhabhishekam was held in April 29, 2002, by the same group of Shivacharyas led by Rajappa Gurukkal. The temple has now two new additions; a separate sannidhi for Lord Hanuman and Navagrahams. A new dais along with a huge hall (mandap) now facilitates the community in conducting cultural events such as dances, music and bhajans. 'Thirupugazh' Raghavan (with red band around his head in the picture) was falicitated on that occasion. Pictures of the occasion are included here for the benefit of devotees.