Thiruchendur

Thiruchendur is the only seaside temple among the six, standing directly on the Bay of Bengal in Thoothukudi district. Where the other abodes sit on hills, this one sits at the water's edge.

It marks the battle itself — the place where Murugan is said to have defeated Surapadman with the Vel. Soorasamharam, the re-enactment of that victory, is observed here at the close of Skanda Sashti and draws very large crowds.

If you are choosing one of the six to visit during Sashti, this is the one. The Vel is central to what the temple commemorates, and many devotees buy or replace one around that visit.