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Arupadai Veedu (Six Abodes of Murugan) Yatra

7 Days / 6 Nights. From ₹19,900 per person (twin sharing), plus 5% GST.

A 7-day private car yatra to the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan (Subramanya Swamy) in Tamil Nadu: Tiruttani, Swamimalai, Palani, Thiruparankundram, Pazhamudircholai and Tiruchendur. The trip starts at Chennai and ends at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) or Madurai airport, so there is no backtracking. Nights are in Kanchipuram, Kumbakonam, Palani, Madurai (2) and Tiruchendur, keeping most drives under five hours.

Highlights

• Tiruttani, where Murugan is worshipped with Valli after his anger subsided
• Swamimalai, where Murugan is said to have explained the meaning of 'Om' to Lord Shiva
• Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy on the hilltop, reached by steps, winch or rope car
• Thiruparankundram, where Murugan married Deivanai
• Pazhamudircholai in the forested Alagar hills, near Alagar Kovil
• Tiruchendur Murugan temple on the shore, linked with the victory over Soorapadman
• Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Chennai · Tiruttani darshan · Kanchipuram — Our driver meets you at Chennai airport or station in the morning and drives about 85 km (2–2.5 hours) to Tiruttani. Go up the hill by car to the temple of Subramanya Swamy, the first abode on this trip, where Murugan is worshipped with Valli; devotees who wish can climb the 365 steps, one for each day of the year. After darshan, drive about 45 km (1 hour) to Kanchipuram and check in. In the…
2. Kanchipuram to Kumbakonam · Swamimalai — After breakfast, drive about 230 km (5–5.5 hours) south to Kumbakonam, with a lunch break on the way. In the late afternoon, drive 8 km to Swamimalai for darshan of Swaminatha Swamy, who stands on a raised mound reached by 60 steps; by tradition this is where Murugan taught the meaning of the Pranava mantra to his father. Return to Kumbakonam for the night.
3. Kumbakonam to Palani via Thanjavur — Leave after breakfast and drive about 230 km (5–5.5 hours) to Palani via Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli. You can stop for an hour at the Brihadeeswarar (Big Temple) in Thanjavur on the way (optional). Reach Palani by late afternoon and check in. In the evening, visit Thiru Avinankudi, the temple at the foot of the hill, which is also counted as part of the Palani abode.
4. Palani hilltop darshan · drive to Madurai — Go up early to the hilltop temple of Dandayudhapani Swamy, either by the winch, the rope car (tickets at the foot, queues on weekends) or by climbing about 690 steps. The deity, made of a rare herbal compound called navapashanam according to tradition, is seen in the form of a renunciant holding a staff. After darshan and breakfast, drive about 120 km (2.5–3 hours) to Madurai. In the evening,…
5. Thiruparankundram and Pazhamudircholai — In the morning, drive 8 km to Thiruparankundram, a rock-cut cave temple where Murugan married Deivanai, the daughter of Indra. Later, drive about 25 km to the Alagar hills: visit Alagar Kovil (Kallazhagar, a Vishnu temple), then go up the hill road to Pazhamudircholai (Solaimalai), the sixth abode, and the Nupura Gangai spring above it. Monkeys are common here, so keep food and bags closed.…
6. Madurai to Tiruchendur · temple by the sea — After breakfast, drive about 175 km (3.5–4 hours) to Tiruchendur. Check in and rest through the afternoon heat. In the evening, have darshan at the Subramanya Swamy temple on the shore, where tradition says Murugan stayed after defeating the demon Soorapadman. Many devotees bathe in the sea and at Nazhi Kinaru, a small freshwater well on the beach, before darshan.
7. Morning darshan · departure from Thoothukudi or Madurai — Attend the early-morning darshan at Tiruchendur if you wish, then have breakfast and check out. Drive about 40 km (1 hour) to Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) airport, or about 180 km (3.5–4 hours) to Madurai airport, depending on your flight. Thoothukudi has fewer flights, so we suggest checking both before you book.

Inclusions

• 6 nights in 3★ hotels (or best available in smaller temple towns) with daily breakfast
• Private AC sedan (Dzire/Etios or similar, up to 3 guests) for all transfers and sightseeing, including fuel, tolls, parking and driver allowance
• Pickup at Chennai airport/station; drop at Thoothukudi or Madurai airport

Exclusions

• Flights / train tickets (not included)
• GST 5% extra
• Lunch & dinner
• Darshan tickets, abhishekams, archanas and other sevas
• Palani winch / rope car tickets, entry fees and activities not listed
• Personal expenses, tips, travel insurance

Visa & entry

No visa needed. Carry a government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID) for every traveller; hotels ask for it at check-in.

Good to know

• Temples usually close from about 12:30 or 1 pm to 4 pm. We plan darshans for the morning and evening and drive in the middle of the day.
• Palani's rope car and winch close for maintenance on some days, and queues can be long on weekends, Tuesdays (Murugan's day) and Krithigai. Check before travel; the 690-step path is always open.
• Wear modest traditional clothes. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed, and some temples ask men to remove shirts in the inner shrine.
• Tiruchendur hotels fill up completely during Skanda Sashti (Soorasamharam) and Palani during Thaipusam. Book months ahead for these dates.
• Carry light cotton clothes, a cap and water. Coastal Tiruchendur is hot and humid for most of the year.

Questions travellers ask

Do we visit the six abodes in the traditional order?

Many devotees start at Thiruparankundram. We follow a north-to-south route to avoid backtracking. All six temples are covered, and the order does not change the merit of the yatra.

Can elders reach the hilltop at Palani?

Yes. The winch and rope car go to the top; elders need to walk only a short distance at the top. Wheelchairs can be arranged locally on request.

Can we start from Madurai and end at Chennai?

Yes. We can reverse the route. Prices stay about the same.

Can we do this trip in fewer days?

A 5-day version is possible with longer drives (7–8 hours on some days). We recommend 7 days for families with elders.

Are abhishekam tickets included?

No. Abhishekam, archana and special-darshan tickets are bought at each temple. We can tell you which can be booked online in advance.

ఆరుపడై వీడు (మురుగన్ ఆరు క్షేత్రాల) యాత్ర

తమిళనాడులోని సుబ్రహ్మణ్య స్వామి (మురుగన్) ఆరు పవిత్ర క్షేత్రాలైన ఆరుపడై వీడుకు 7 రోజుల ప్రైవేట్ కారు యాత్ర: తిరుత్తణి, స్వామిమలై, పళని, తిరుప్పరంకుండ్రం, పళముదిర్‌చోలై, తిరుచెందూర్. యాత్ర చెన్నైలో మొదలై తూత్తుకుడి లేదా మదురై విమానాశ్రయంలో ముగుస్తుంది, కాబట్టి వెనక్కి తిరిగి రావాల్సిన అవసరం ఉండదు. కాంచీపురం, కుంభకోణం, పళని, మదురై (2 రాత్రులు), తిరుచెందూర్‌లో బస; చాలా రోజుల్లో ప్రయాణం 5 గంటల లోపే.

To book or customise this trip, call / WhatsApp +91 96188 49933.