திருச்செந்தூர்
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Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, where Murugan’s abode meets the sea
Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tiruchendur is the second of Lord Murugan’s six sacred abodes and the only one on the seashore. This guide gives you verified timings, the daily pooja order, the temple’s history and everything you need to plan a calm, well-prepared visit.
The temple day at Tiruchendur
The temple is open from 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM IST, without an afternoon break.
- Viswaroopa Darshan
The first, unadorned darshan of the day. - Uchikala Abishekam
The midday abishekam. - Sayaratchai Pooja
The evening pooja at sunset.
Ordinary-day schedule in India Standard Time. Festival days follow a different order. What happens at each pooja or see the full timetable.
A sanctum on the shore of the Bay of Bengal
Most of the great temples of Tamil Nadu rise from river towns or hilltops. Tiruchendur rises from the beach. The waves of the Bay of Bengal break a short walk from the outer wall, and for centuries pilgrims have followed the same order of worship: a bath in the sea, a rinse at the freshwater Nazhi Kinaru well, and then darshan of Senthil Andavar, the “Lord of Senthil”.
According to the Kanda Puranam, Lord Murugan halted here with his armies before the final battle against the asura Soorapadman. After his victory he worshipped his father, Lord Shiva, on this spot. That is why the presiding deity at Tiruchendur is portrayed as a young ascetic in worship rather than as a warrior, and why the Soorasamharam festival is re-enacted on this beach every year before crowds of lakhs of devotees.
The temple is mentioned in Sangam literature as Thiruchiralaivai and in the epic Silappathikaram, and the official temple website describes it as between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Today it is administered by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, which completed a major renovation and Maha Kumbabishekam on 7 July 2025.
The temple at a glance
Key facts for pilgrims, checked against the official HR&CE temple website on 26 September 2026.
- Official name
- Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur
- Presiding deity
- Lord Murugan as Subramaniya Swamy, also called Senthil Andavar and Senthilnathan
- Significance
- Second of the six abodes of Murugan (Arupadai Veedu); the only one on the seashore
- Location
- Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu 628215
- Hours
- 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, open continuously
- Rajagopuram
- 157 feet, 9 tiers
- Biggest festival
- Kanda Sashti with Soorasamharam (Aippasi month, October–November)
- Administered by
- Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department (official website)
Find what you need
Every page is written for pilgrims: what to expect, what it costs, and where to confirm.
- Plan your visit, step by stepWhen to go, how to get there, the sea bath and Nazhi Kinaru, which queue to choose, what to wear and where to stay.
- About the temple and this guideThe deity, the shrines and who writes this site.
- History and legendSoorapadman, Sangam poetry, the Dutch occupation and the great gopuram.
- Darshan and poojaQueues, special darshan, abishekam, archanai and offerings.
- Temple timingsOpening hours, the daily pooja schedule and festival-day changes.
- Daily ritualsWhat happens at each of the day’s kala poojas, from dawn to palliarai.
- FacilitiesStay, annadanam, lockers, tonsuring, medical help and accessibility.
- Festivals and calendarKanda Sashti, Vaikasi Visakam, Masi and Avani festivals, Thai Poosam.
- ContactTemple office numbers and how to reach this guide’s editors.
Kanda Sashti 2026
The six-day Kanda Sashti festival begins on 10 November 2026. Soorasamharam on the seashore is expected on the evening of 15 November 2026, with Thirukalyanam, the divine wedding of Murugan and Deivanai, the next day.
It is the busiest week of the year in Tiruchendur. Book rooms early, expect the temple to open from 1:00 AM on the first and sixth days, and plan to watch Soorasamharam from the beach well before the procession begins.
From the blog
Kanda Sashti 2026 at Tiruchendur: dates, Soorasamharam and tipsDates, the six-day schedule, Sashti viratham and how to watch Soorasamharam safely.26 September 2026, 9 minute read- How to reach Tiruchendur by train, bus, air and roadTrains, buses, nearest airports and driving routes from every major city.26 September 2026, 7 minute read
- Your first visit to Tiruchendur: 15 practical tipsTiming, clothing, phones, queues, offerings and avoiding touts.26 September 2026, 8 minute read
Questions devotees ask most
What are the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple timings?
On ordinary days the temple is open continuously from 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with no afternoon closure. On major festival days such as Vaikasi Visakam, Thai Poosam and the first and sixth days of Kanda Sashti it opens as early as 1:00 AM. See the full temple timings.
Which of the six abodes of Murugan is Tiruchendur?
Tiruchendur is the second of the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan. It is the only one of the six that stands on the seashore, where Murugan is believed to have camped before defeating the asura Soorapadman.
Is there an entry fee for Tiruchendur temple?
Entry and the free (dharma) darshan queue cost nothing. Paid special-darshan tickets are sold for a shorter queue; the current fees are listed on the official HR&CE temple website and at the temple counters. Read more on the darshan and pooja page.
Where is Tiruchendur and how do I get there?
Tiruchendur is on the Bay of Bengal coast in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, about 40 km south of Thoothukudi and about 60 km east of Tirunelveli. It has its own railway station with a direct train from Chennai, and frequent buses. See how to reach Tiruchendur.
When is Kanda Sashti 2026 at Tiruchendur?
Kanda Sashti 2026 begins on 10 November 2026. Soorasamharam, the re-enactment of Murugan’s victory on the beach, is expected on 15 November 2026, followed by Thirukalyanam on 16 November 2026.
How this guide is written
Checked against official sources
Timings, festival dates and rules are compared with the HR&CE temple website and temple notices, and each page shows when it was last reviewed.
Independent and non-commercial
This is not the temple’s website. We sell nothing, take no bookings and accept no donations on the temple’s behalf. Read our editorial policy.
Corrections welcome
Timings change on festival days and rules change over time. If you see something out of date, tell us and we will check and correct it.