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Sri Kumara Kottam temple is located in Kanchipuram which is one of India's seven "Moksha-puris" or sacred cities where salvation may be obtained. This temple is just half a kilometre to the northwest of the bus stand, on the west Raja Street at the north end of which is the Sankara Matham and at the south end is the Kachapeswarar Temple.

Sri Kumara Kottam Temple was built in its present form around the year 1915. The shrine of Sri Subramanya Swami in Kanchipuram has a significant place in Hindu mythology. For Hindus on a pilgrimage trip in life, this temple is a mandatory place to visit. The way this temple is located and is constructed in the city is a rare phenomenon mentioned in Hindu scriptures. "Soma Skandha" posture which indicates Lord Shiva seated with the Goddess Shakthi to his left, with his son, Lord Subramanya seated between them. In Kanchipuram, the shrine of Lord Shiva (Sri Ekambaranathar) is located with the shrine of Shakthi (Kamakshi Amman) to its left.

In this temple, there is a sacred Kanda Puranam in praise of Lord Muruga which was composed by the saintly scholar Kachiappa Sivachariyar. According to the account of Kachiappa, each day he would write his inspired account for the career of Lord Murugan or Skanda, and in the evening deposit his day's work in the Moolasthanam of Lord Subrahmanya at Kumara Kottam. Each night miraculously, then the Lord Himself would modify Kacciappa's manuscript with His own corrections. Hence, the great Kanda Puranam is considered to be the absolutely authoritative account of Lord Murugan's career bearing the seal of approval of none other than the Lord Himself.


ccordingly as per mythology, Lord Muruga punished Lord Brahma for his ignorance of the meaning of the Pranava mantra, by a hard knock on his vortex with His fist and then imprisoned him. Later, He assumed these were the creation duties of Lord Brahma. In this Kumara Kottam Temple, Lord Muruga installed himself in the sanctum in the 'Creator' (Brahmasasta) form. A noteworthy feature of this temple is that all the deities of Kanchipuram, when they come out in procession during festivals pass before Kumara Kottam Temple invariably. The scholar saint Arunagirinathar, who had authored the 'Tiruppugazh' in praise of Lord Muruga, has composed the Tiruppugazh song 'Arivilappittar' eulogising Lord Muruga presiding over this temple.

The early 20th century saint Pamban Swamigal, who did not know the exact location of the Kumarakottam Temple had been guided to this temple by Lord Muruga Himself who assumed the form of a small boy.

The location of the Kumara Kottam Temple is between Sri Ekambereswarar Temple and Sri Kâmâkshi Amman Temple which reminds devotees of the Somaskanda form in which Muruga sits in between Parvati and Parameswara.

Visit timing to the temple would be very good on every Tuesday and every Krittikai is which is very much auspicious to pray in this temple. The two most important festivals celebrated in this temple are Skanda Shashti immediately after Deepavali in October/Novermber and Vaisaka Festival in April/May every year.

The clean upkeep of this temple and the devout pujas performed by the priests are commendable features. The picturesque paintings on the walls of the temple in the inner periphery around the sanctum area are a rare treat to the eyes of devotees.

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple which is 200 years old temple is present in the George Town Mint street. Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple which is 250 years old temple is present in the George Town Palliappan street. Sri Kalatheeswarar Temple at Mannady which is temple is located near Mallikeswarar Temple at Pavalakara (Coral merchant) street. Sri Angallamman Temple at Choolai in Chennai.

Nearby tourist places to Kumarakottam Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple Chennai Kanchipuram Tirupathi Chidambaram

Accommodation here at the temple is easily available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels, lodges and choultries in Kanchipuram.

• Through Airways - the city of Chennai is the nearest airport to Kanchipuram. Then one can take flights for most of the important Indian cities and then abroad from Chennai.


• Through Railways - there are Trains for Kanchipuram which are available from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati and Bangalore.


• Through Roadways - the place of Kanchipuram is 75-km away from Chennai and is well connected by a network of roads. There are frequent buses from the city to Chennai, Bangalore and other places.


• For local transportation bicycles can be hired from the shops near the bus stand. Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws are also available on hire to move in and around the city.