Thiruparankundram Murugan temple

On the outskirts of Madurai, roughly eight kilometers from the city lies one of the most prominent religious shrines India, Thiruparankundram Murugan. It is among the six abodes of Lord Murugan, called Arupadaiveedu as a whole.

The temple is believed to be built by the Pandyas during the eighth century by a single mountain carving out the rocks, which add to its overall magnetism.

According to the story, it is where Murugan married Deivayanai, the princess of heaven and the divine daughter of Lord Indra after slaying the demon king Surapadman.

This is why this temple is considered one of the most promising places for marriages. It is believed that the couples married here, lead a happy and prosperous married life as the blessings of Lord Muruga shower them.

A striking feature that makes this temple one of a kind is that it is visited not only by Hindu devotees but also by those with different religious faiths. The shrine of Sekunder also lies within the temple. Many legends associate the shrine to Lord Murugan. It is popularly believed that Sekunder was one of Muruga’s friends.

History Behind the Temple

During the 8th century AD, Pandya rulers laid a temple which followed rock-cut design. The temple’s worship history may go well into the past, even before Hinduism.

Later on, during the reign of Nayaks of Madurai (From 1559 to 1736 AD), the temple was renovated with beautiful gopurams as well as some beautification. Extensive and marvelous Mukha mandapam complete with 48 ornate pillars carved during the rule of Pandya and Nayaks was also built.

Many stories are associated with this mountain. The hill is also considered to be the “Southern Himalaya” where the gods assemble as per popular beliefs.

The impossible architecture

The Thiruparankundram Murugan is a cave temple which is located upon a hillock that was built in the early sixth century by a king named Maravarman Sundara Pandiyan.
The Temple was built on a rock-cut architecture, which backs to the reign of Pandyas in the 6th century and is full of life-sized sculptures in the mandapas of the Nayaka period from the 16th century. The Aasthaana Mandapa, with several artistically carved pillars, leads one to the large 150 feet high seven-storied raja gopuram at the entrance.

The Kambathadi, Ardha, and Maha Mandapams and the three halls leading to the sanctum, are situated at various heights. The main shrine is a humongous slab of rock that has cells to house the sanctums of Subramanya, Durga, Vinayakar, Shiva, and Vishnu. All the statues are carved on the wall of the parankundram rock.

An interesting yet perplexing feature of this Temple is that the Gods, Shiva, and Vishnu face each other in the main shrine, which is something rare ancient Hindu temples. This is baffling as Hinduism has always been divided among two distinct worshiping groups – Shaivites (worshippers of Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavites (one’s who worship Lord Vishnu). Outside the Temple there lies a beautiful pond where, according to Temple tradition, devotees feed fishes salt and rice flakes. There is also a Vedic school adjacent to the banks of the temple pond. In front of the Dwajasthambam, the flagstaff, there is a carved Nandi(Shiva’s ride), Mayil (peacock), and Mushak (Ganesha’s carrier). There is a flight of six steps called the “Shadashara Padigal”, before Ardha Mandapam. There are intricate carvings of gods at the entrance of the Temple.

The presiding deity of Murugan’s father, Lord Shiva, also known as Parangirinathar and the female deity, his consort mother Parvati is known as Aavudai Nayaki, are craved in the parankunram rock. Slide’s depicting Shiva’s dance of bliss, the Shiva Tandava, are seen outside the sanctum. These magnificent pieces of art date back to the Pandya

Going inside, one can see the sannidhis of various Hindu Gods and Hindu Goddesses.

This Temple not only attracts devotees for its religious significance but also enthralls visitors with its architectural beauty.

Story Behind the temple

Surapadman, the demon king, reigned over Veera Mahendrapuri, an island fortress. He was an intelligent scholar and a devout to Shiva for ages. Once he commenced a severe Tapas to gain Shiva’s attention, and he was successful. Lord Shiva granted him many boons as the Lord was impressed by Surapadman’s immense devotion and loyalty. Surapadman became more and more powerful with time, and with the immortality he possessed, It wasn’t much longer for his arrogance to take over. Later, Surapadman started terrorizing the world. He wreaked havoc in all three world’s capturing everyone in sight and killing those who showed signs of resistance. He even imprisoned Indra, king of the Devas. Indra then appealed to Murugan, who finished the demon king in an ensuing long battle.

This is well followed by mythology as it states Lord Murugan was offered the wedlock of Deivayani, daughter of Indra as a reward of gratitude since Murugan had defeated the Demon King and successfully released the Devas from the clutches of bondage. The marriage took place in Thiruparankundram, which was attended by many, including the Sun and Moon. Afterward, Lord Murugan attained the blessings of his parents Siva and Parvathi.

The divine sculptor, Viswakarma, was hired to erect this abode for the permanent worship of all the deities. This is the only shrine you can see Lord Murugan with his senior consort Deivayani, whereas in all other abodes, both his consorts – Deivayani and Valli are seen along with him. As this is the venue of Lord Murugan’s wedding, it is considered auspicious for weddings, and hundreds of thousands of marriages for generations are taking place here.

According to another tale, King Harichandra, who worshipped Shiva from this hillock, gained eternal wisdom. Later on, he built a temple here.

There are many stories associated with this mountain. Thus, the hill is considered to be the “Southern Himalaya” where the gods assemble. There is also story that this is the place where Sun and Moon take a rest.

A mysterious story

There are things that happen here which cannot be explained by science alone. People irrespective of religion from all over India and even the world throng this place, to let go of their sufferings and attain Muruga’s blessings.

On backside of Thiruparankundram hill-top, there is a Muslim Dargah of Hazrat Sulthan Sikhandar Badusha, who came from Jeddah in the 9th century. This is quite rare to see two religions of different ideologies but same goal, peace, to prosper together within the precint of the temple. But this is the beauty of Thiruparankundram.

A home to mystics

Machamuni

Along with the presiding deities at Thiruparankundram, Machamuni has always been associated whenever the name of the temple has come up in the books of mythology. Well known as Nondi siddhar, He is believed to be born in Machai Desam in the Pandya Kingdom. His origin is as fascinating as the Siddhar, who walked in the alleys of the temple himself. As the legend says, once when Shiva was transferring his divine knowledge to Parvathi at a nearby sea, a fish in the sea absorbed the teachings of Lord Shiva. Later, as the fish got enlighten and its desire to learn grew the remaining things, it took birth as Machamuni in the world. Since Machamuni was born with the blessings of Lord Shiva, he naturally had the divine search. Brought up by Siddhar Pinnakeesar, Machamuni embarked on his quest to gather as much wisdom as possible and use it for the welfare of others.

An account of his life:

  • Machamuni Siddhar is also known as Machindranath or Matsyendranath in the northern part of India and Machamuni in south India.
  • His main contribution is Machendhra nadhar endra nondi siddhar padal
  • His place of Samadhi is Thiruparankundram
  • Understanding the impermanence of human life, he, in search of truth, got teachings from Siddhar Kakapujandar.
  • He followed vaasiyogam and awakened his kundalini energy to understand his inner Self and attain siddhis.
  • After 12 years of vaasiyogam, he got astamasiddhis and pronounced his significant works in the Siddha medicine system.
  • By tremendous efforts and constant practice of meditation and yoga, he realized the true nature of the Self.
  • After learning Siddha medicine, alchemy, gnana, and Siddha yoga philosophies, by dint of his deep meditation, he proposed many theories in the space and atomic sciences.
  • He also donated all his wealth to poor people on attaining spiritual salvation.
  • He mentored Siddhar Korakkar and transferred his knowledge to him.
  • He reached Jeeva samadhi in Thiruparankundram in Tamil Nadu.

Intersting Facts

  • Lord Karthikeya or Murugan temple in Thirupparankundram near Madurai, Tamil Nadu is the only one in the entire Indian subcontinent where Murugan is posed sitting contrary to his standing depiction in most of the temples.
  • Thirupparankundram is the only temple among the six abodes that are situated on flat land; the remaining five are on the hills.
  • Sun and moon can be seen together here, which has become a significant attraction here
  • This temple is home to several festivals. These include Panguni Uthiram (celebrated during March), Vaikasi Visakam as Visakam is said to be the birth star of Lord Muruga, Kandha Sashti (Celebrated during October or November), Aadi Krithigai (Celebrated in the month of May or June) and Thai Poosam which is celebrated during the full moon day.