Thiruparankundram

Thiruparankundram

Padal Petra Sthalam, Madurai District

God

Parangiri Nadhar, facing east

Goddess

Aavudai Nayagi

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Durga, Muruga, Pavazhakanivai Perumal, Vedavyasa, Parasarar, Andaparaparanar, Ukkirar, twin Vinayaka, Adhikara nandi with consort, Somaskandar, Nataraja, Chandikeswara, Nava Veeras, dakshinamurthy, Bairava, Chandra, Surya with consorts, Muruga with consorts, Panchalingam, Jwaradhevar, Arunagirinadhar, Saneeswara, Govardhanambigai, Mahishasura mardhini, Karpaga Vinayakar, Pazhaniandavar, Kasi Viswanathar

Thiruparankundram temple is on the base of a hill just outside Madurai. This is an ancient temple where Lord Muruga is more famous and is one of the Aaru (six) Padai Veedu temples. At the entrance the grand Sundara Pandian Mantapam followed by the seven tiered Rajagopuram provides a sight for sore eyes. As you enter the mantapam be prepared to feast your eyes on the multitude of ancient sculptures, carvings and the 66 intricately carved pillars. Another important set of carvings are that of the wedding of Muruga and Devakunjari (Devayanai, daughter of Indra). The vahanas of Shiva, Vinayaka and Muruga (Nandi, Mouse and Peacock respectively) are found together. The sanctum sanctorum is at a height on the hill and steps are provided to climb up. Muruga here faces north. The main deities are Rock Cut Idols. The rock cut portions of Thiruparankundram date back to the Pandya period. An interesting feature here is that Shiva and Vishnu idols face other. The Temple Tank and a vedic school are adjacent. On the western side of the hill there are the Pancha (five) Pandava Caves. The famous film song, ‘Thiruparakundrathil nee sirithal Muruga Thiruthani malai meedhu edhirolikkum’ (when you laugh in Thiruparankundram, Muruga, it will echo in Thiruthani), featuring the late Chief Minister of Tamilnadu J.Jayalalaitha as one of Muruga’s consorts, is still popularly played all over Tamilnadu during important festivals of Muruga.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Saravana Poigai, Lakshmi Theertham, Saniyasi Kinaru (well), Kasi Sunai, and Sathiya Koopam.

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Not known

History

Evidence from inscriptions and theories suggest that Thiruparankundram could originally have been a Muruga temple, converted to a Jain temple and again converted back to a Hindu temple by Gajapathy, Minister of a Pandya King during the later part of 8th Century CE. Thirugnansambandar (7th Century CE) has sung Thevaram Hymns to the lord here at Thiruparankundram and this clash of dates needs to be clarified. Sundarar has also composed Thevaram Hymns here. Nakkirar, one of the important Sangam Era Poets was the first one to have mentioned six important temples of Muruga without actually calling them as the Aaru Padai Veedu temples in his ‘Thirumurugatrupadai’. This was taken forward as the Aaru Padai Veedu Temples immediately afterwards by all. Tiruppugazh, Kandapuranam and other great works speak of the glory of Thiruparankundram.

The six temples mentioned by Nakkeera were Thiruparankundram, Thiruchendur, Pazhani, Thiruveragam (Swamimalai), Kundru Thoraadal (not specific to a single hill, but considers all hills in general as places where Muruga is present) and Pazhamudhir Cholai. Though Thiruthani is considered as the Fifth Padai Veedu, the other temples in Surulimalai, Ilanji, Kundrakudi, Vayalur, Viralimalai, Vaitheeswaram Kovil and Chennimalai are held in equal reverence.

Legend

Thiruparankundram is where Lord Muruga is believed to have married the Daughter of Indra, Devakunjari, in a grand function.

Directions

Thiruparankundram is about 7 kilometers southwest of Madurai.

Stay and Food

Small restaurants and choultries available locally at Thiruparankundram.

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