At the heart of the Arulmigu Subramanya Swami Temple in Tiruchendur lies the divine idol of Lord Murugan, an embodiment of spirituality and legend. This idol represents Murugan in his Dhandapani form — a young ascetic, without his hair, dressed in a simple loincloth, and holding a staff (dhandam), which symbolizes his renunciation and asceticism. This form is significant, as it reflects Murugan’s appearance at Palani, where he adopted the life of a recluse.
The idol is said to be made from a unique amalgamation of nine poisonous substances that, when mixed in a specific ratio, form an eternal medicine. This alchemical composition is believed to maintain the idol’s sanctity and divine power over time. The idol rests on a stone pedestal, framed by a majestic archway within the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), the most sacred part of the temple. Access to the idol is reserved exclusively for the temple’s priests, who hold hereditary rights to perform the rituals and worship.
The Golden Vimanam and the Challenges of Preservation
Over the centuries, the original idol has undergone several anointings and ritual bathing, which has led to some concerns about its wear and tear. It is believed that these frequent rituals could have caused the idol to erode. However, the temple priests maintain that despite these anointings, no visible degradation has been observed. In Hinduism, the worship of an idol in an imperfect state is generally prohibited, and as such, there have been suggestions at different times to replace or cover the idol to prevent further damage.
In 1984 and again in 2002, attempts were made to replace the idol due to concerns about its condition. However, these efforts were met with strong opposition, as devotees and religious leaders felt that the idol was sacred and irreplaceable. In 2003, a new idol weighing 200 kg, composed of an alloy of five metals and including 10 kg of gold, was consecrated, but it was quickly removed after protests from various groups.
Controversy and Investigation into the Replacement Idol
The controversy surrounding the idol did not end there. In 2019, the Tamil Nadu Police launched an investigation into the new idol. According to research conducted by IIT Madras, it was discovered that the replacement idol actually weighed 221 kg and did not contain the specified amounts of the metals, particularly the gold, as initially claimed. The investigation revealed that the replacement idol was part of a smuggling ploy to replace the original idol, leading to further tensions and questions surrounding the temple’s practices.
This ongoing saga of the idol’s preservation and replacement reflects the deep reverence and emotional connection devotees have to the sacred Murugan idol. The temple continues to be a place of devotion, where both the ancient and the modern intertwine, carrying forward a legacy of faith, tradition, and divine mystery.
Gallery of Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple
