Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu), May 15 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Friday visited the famous Thoothukudi Murugan temple in Tamil Nadu for offering special prayers on the occasion of his 64th birthday.

He arrived in Thoothukudi via a special flight and received warm welcome by the Congress party leaders.

Speaking to IANS, commenting on the Congress sharing power with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar said, “Some leaders have agreed to the power-sharing arrangement, and it was part of the earlier understanding as well. Now, we will also guide them (TVK) properly. Some of them had served as Ministers in the UPA government from the Congress party. In Tamil Nadu too, opportunities will be given to them. With everyone’s cooperation, we will gradually strengthen the Congress party in Tamil Nadu as well.”

The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister is scheduled to return to Bengaluru on Friday. The visit to famous Hindu shrine has assumed significance amid the leadership tussle in Karnataka.

It can be noted that the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district is a renowned Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, located directly on the Bay of Bengal shore.

As the second of the six sacred ‘Arupadaiveedu’ (abodes) of Lord Murugan, it commemorates his victory over the demon Surapadman.

It is a 2,000 to 3,000-year-old temple where Lord Murugan is worshiped as Jayanthinathar, believed to be the place where he rested after winning the battle against Surapadman.

Tiruchendur Murugan Temple, formally known as Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, is one of the most revered Murugan temples in South India. This ancient temple is celebrated for its spiritual significance, sacred rituals, and divine energy.

Every year, millions of devotees from across India and abroad visit Tiruchendur to seek blessings from Lord Murugan, participate in age-old ceremonies, and experience the temple’s vibrant spiritual atmosphere.

Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, is famous not only for its divine presence but also for its structured daily poojas and traditional rituals.

The devotees visiting the temple can experience these spiritual ceremonies throughout the day, each performed with precision by trained priests following ancient Murugan worship traditions.

–IANS

mka/khz