My guide, Murlidharan, was quiet agile as he knew all the relevant tourist spots of Tamil Nadu. Frankly, it was because of him that my tour to Tamil Nadu was far more comfortable and memorable.

Murlidharan was provided to me by the travel agent whom I contacted before I actually landed on Tamil Nadu. Before we actually started our exploration, my guide listed all the important tourist spots of Tamil Nadu and amongst them was the famous Murugun Temple or the Tirupporur Temple of Tamil Nadu. .

Counted amongst the 33 major temples of Tamil Nadu, Morgun temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. Morgun Temple or Tirupporur Temple is located just 25-km away from Chingleput and 45-km from Chennai, and is an ancient temple dating back to the Pallava period. Also known as Poriyur or Yoddhapuri or Samarapuri temple, Morgun Temple is devoted to Lord Muruga
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"It is said that it was Chadambara Swamigal who discovered the image of Skanda in the anthill and then rebuilt the temple and reinstalled the image" told Murlidharan. Believe me! Murlidharan was one guide who knew almost everything about Tamil Nadu.

As I explored Morgun Temple, I found that the temple enshrined Skanda in several forms relating to legends from the Skanda Puranam. The foremost of these is the depiction of Skanda as a warrior, "Samhara Subramanya". "He is also enshrined in the form of a child, expounding the meaning of the oneness of creation Om to his father Lord Shiva" said Murlidharan.

It was interesting to note that temple had 24-pillared hall and a 30-pillared circular hall. There is a shrine to "Vembadi Vinayaka" under a Neem tree. In fact, the temple had two sacred Teerthams, Saravana Pogai and Valliyar Odaim that were worth exploring. Muriladharan then took me to the eastern side of Teerthams, where laid another Mandapam having four pillars.

" Do you want to stay for the prayer" asked Murlidharan and I answered " Yes". Not because I believed in god but it was mere eagerness that halted me to stay. I was quiet keen to know how prayer was performed. As we, Murildharan and I, kept on talking, I came to know many facts that increased my inquisitiveness. Murlidharan told me that the main deity in the temple is offered four worship services each day. In fact as a part of ritual, the people here celebrate Skanda Sashti in the month of Aippasi (October-November). Other festivals that are celebrated over here include "Margazhi Tiruvadirai" and "Navaratri".

After closely observing, the rituals and temple, I was ecstatic with the revelations that I came to know. More over after exploring Morgun temple, my heart generated a quest to know about other temples in Tamil Nadu.