Ettampadai Murugan Temple, Triplicane

The Ettampadai is a temple to Murugan in Triplicane (Thiruvallikkeni), Chennai, regarded as the eighth padaiveedu, or abode, of Murugan. A woman named Pachayammal donated the land, and in 1978 local devotees formed a devotional music group, Bhajaneshwara, whose earnings paid for the temple to be rebuilt. The inner prakaram holds shrines to Pillayar, Kumbeshwara, Ambigai and Kanaga Durga, with the Navagrahas beside an old pillar of Murugan.

Panguni Uthiram is the temple's best-known festival, a six-day celebration of homams, devotional music, nadhaswaram, kavadi dancing, special abhishekam and free meals. Thai Poosam, Vaikasi Visakam, Soora Samharam and Kandha Shashti are also observed, with pilgrims carrying kavadis or pots of holy water after vows. Darshan is from 6 am to noon and 4.30 to 8 pm, with longer hours on festival days.