Click here for photos This temple is the second of the Arupadai Vedu(six abodes) of Lord Muruga. Senthil Aandavar with Valli and Deivayanai temple is popular here and managed by Government of Tamilnadu.Formerly it is known as "Kapadapuram". Muruga killed Surapadman, a demon, in this place. Soorasamharam, an enactment of the deed, is performed here and Skanda Sashti is also celebrated in commemoration of the same. Using his spear Muruga created the Naazhi Kinaru.
Also Thiruchendur is famous for dry arid Theri forests located in various suburb villages surrounding the town. These Theri forests with red soil are densely planted with Palm trees, cashew plantation and various other varieties of plants typical to this region.The popular belief for the red soil of Theri lands is that one powerful local god Karkkuuvel Ayyanar (in the village "Therikudiyiruppu") requested his agent Vanniaraja to end the life of any one who intended to steal other's property. When Vanniaraja killed one of the thieves(Kallan), it is believed that the bloodshed had caused the entire land to become red soiled. People from this Theri land do not involve in thefts, crimes etc as they have deep belief in this folk tale.

Usually the temples in Tamilnadu have their main entrance towers built on the eastern side of the temple. In Thiruchendur the main entrance tower is built on the west though this is not used as an entrance. This is because the temple is built on the sea shore and the sea is close to the eastern border of the temple.This is the only one among the six famous temples called 'Aarupadai veedu' not situated on the top of a hill.

It is believed that the present temple was built about 300 years ago by Thesigamoorthy Swamigal belonging to the Thiruvaduthurai Adeenam. He did not have enough money to build the temple. So he paid his workers daily with a packet of 'viboothi (holy ash) as their wages. When the workers went home and opened the package they found the wages in cash according to the task they performed.

There is a small entrance near the inner sanctum which leads to an area where you can view five lingams called 'Panchalingam'. It is believed that Lord Murugan worshipped one of these lingams which is situated on the left side of the wall. All the offering of 'light' made to the presiding deity is made to this lingam too. The 'viboothi' offered to the devotees here is wrapped in a leaf called 'panneer ilai' in Tamil. This is a special feature in this temple.