All You Need to Know About Thirumurugatruppadai

• 21 Jan 2021

Thirumurugatruppadai is a classical Tamil poem written and sung by Nakkeerar of the Sangam era.

It is a unique poem which guides the devotees of Lord Muruga to His various sacred abodes for the spiritual benefits of His devotees. The poem directs one to the divine presence of Lord Muruga, so that they are able to attain the God’s gracious blessings.

Here are more information on Thirumurugatruppadai:

• The author of Thirumurugatruppadai is Nakkeerar, a medieval Tamil poet from Madurai. He is the son of Madhuraik-kanakkayanar, a learned teacher from the Sangam era. 
• The Sangam period in which the Thirumurugatruppadai was created, spans from 3 B.C to 4 B.C. This era is named after famous Sangam academies of poets and scholars based in the city of Madurai in ancient Southern India.
• Tradition states that Nakkeerar was on his way to Kailasa when he was captured by demon Ayakrivan. While in captivity, Nakkeerar composed Thirumurugatruppadai on Lord Muruga and invoked the Lord to guide him and to also save other captives from impending danger. 
• The Tamil word 'thiru' has several meanings such as auspiciousness, sacredness, divine quality. The word is often related to the names of divine manifestations like Thirumurugan.
• 'Muruga’ also has meanings like beauty, youthfulness, divine-quality, and fragrance. It is the root-word of the divine manifestation of Murugan, known as the ’The Eternally Beautiful and Youthful One’. Read here to find out why Lord Murugan is the God of Tamil...
• The term ‘aatruppadai’ refers to a specific genre of classical Tamil literature, namely a long poem. 
• Thirumurugatruppadai is seen as the first religious Tamil poem dedicated to Lord Murugan. This poem is greatly respected by His followers. 
• This poem consists of 317 verses describing the various events occurring at Lord Murugan’s sacred abodes in Southern India.
• There are 6 sacred abodes of Lord Murugan namely, Thirupparangkundram, Thirucheeralaivai (Thirechendhur), Thiruavinankudi (Palani), Thiruveragam (Swamimalai), Thiruthani and Pazhamudircholai. 
• These 6 sacred abodes are also known as ‘Aarupadai Veedu’. 
• The 'Aarupadai Veedu; denotes to the traditional Tamil belief that there is an intimate connection between God’s divine manifestation and a specific place of worship where the God abides for the benefit of His devotees.
• There is a strong belief among the devotees of Lord Murugan that one who recites this poem daily will be able to obtain several spiritual benefits. Find out How to Receive Lord Murugan’s Blessings?

Credit: Murugan.org, Kaumaram.org and All Gods wallpaper