Subramanyar is said to have married Devasena
(Devanai) here, and is said to have worshipped Shiva Parangirinatheswarar.
Tirupparankunram is also mentioned in legend as the place where the sun and moon abide. It is regarded as the sacred temple
for marriages. People believe that marriages done here are successfull due to
the blessings of lord Muruga. The temple is surrounded with many trees and
green lands.
Tirupparankundram is one of the Aru Padai Vedugal of lord subramaniyam.
Tirupparankundram is situated three miles southeast of Madurai on the main
railway line. It is one of the Aru padai veedugal or six sacred places selected
by Lord Subrahmanya for his abode. The importance of this temple is that here
was celebrated the marriage of Lord Subrahmanya with the daughter of Indra,
Devayani.
Long, long ago, when Lord Subrahmanya was staying at Kanda Verpu, the two
daughters of Lord Maha Vishnu, Amrita Valli and Sundara Valli, cherished the
desire of becoming the consorts of Subrahmanya. With this aim in mind they both
went to Saravana Poigai and commenced austere penance to fulfill their desires.
Pleased with their prayer and worship, Lord Subrahmanya appeared before them
and told Amrita Valli, You will be brought up by Indra as his daughter
and I shall marry you in due course. Her younger sister Sundara Valli was
also graced with a similar blessing. She was born to sage Sivamuni and brought
up by Nambi, the headman of Veddas.
Amrita Valli took the form of a female child and went to Mount Meru, the abode
of Indra, and told him, I am the daughter of Maha Vishnu and the
responsibility of looking after me has been entrusted to you. On hearing
this, Indra became very happy and directed Airavatam, his white elephant, to
take care of the child.
The elephant with all love brought her up and affection and she attained the
age of marriage in course of time. Hence she came to be known as Devayanai, one
who was brought up by the heavenly elephant of Indra.
The six sons of sage Parasara were cursed to become fishes in the Saravana
Poigai. On request for redemption, these six boys were ordered to pray to Lord
Subrahmanya.
When they got his darshan, they could get redemption. It was also made known to
them that Lord Subrahmanya would come to Tirupparankunram after vanquishing the
demon Surapadma. Anxiously they waited for the arrival of Subrahmanya.
When the mission of Subrahmanva to vanquish Surapadma was over at Tiruchendur,
on his way, he came to this spot followed by all the devas and heavenly beings
whom he had released from the untold miseries caused by Surapadma.
On his arrival at Tirupparankunram, the sons of Parasara received Subrahmanya
and, at their request, he consented to stay there. He at once ordered
Viswakarma to construct a beautiful abode for himself, for the devas and for
others.
He also suggested to the heavenly architect to build roads and erect a city
around them. Indra, the king of the angels, desired to get his daughter
Devayanai married to Subrahmanya, as a mark of his gratitude for relieving him
and the devas from the depredations of the demon Surapadma.
He expressed his desire to Brahma and Vishnu who were present there. They were
only too glad to hear the proposal. When they communicated the desire of Indra
to Lord Subrahmanya he readily agreed to it and said: Devayanai has been
praying at Saravana Poigai in the Himalayas for this happy marriage. Now the
time has come for its being solemnised. As Subrahmanya agreed to this
marriage, Indra sent a messenger to bring his wife Indrani and daughter
Devayanai from Mout Meru.
The marriage took place at Tirupparankunram, after the victory of Subrahmanya
over Surapadma. All arrangements for marriage were made and the marriage was
performed at the Tirupparankunram Temple. All the devas, Siva and Parvati
attended the marriage and blessed Subrahmanya and Devayanai. Since then, the
temple has become a very famous abode of Subrahmanya. According to another tale King Harichandra
worshipped Shiva from this hillock and gained eternal wisdom. Thus he built a
temple here was complete with Praharams (ambulatories), walls, Gopurams (gate
towers) and steps.
The real history (who can differentiate myths and reality in Indian
past) of the temple may start with 8th century AD when Pandya rulers built
rock-cut temple.
Later, during the reign of Nayaks of Madurai (1559 - 1736 AD) the temple was
supplemented with beautiful gopurams and beautified. There was built extensive
and beautiful front part (mugha mandapam) with 48 ornate pillars carved during
the rule of Pandya and Nayaks.
This is cave temple, One of the sangam poet
Nakkirar has sung a log poem about this Temple is called Thirumurugatrupadai.
Devayanai Marriage, Thirumalai Nayak and Mangammal Sculptures are there in this
temple. The most important sculputure is Lord siva with flag of Rishaba in his
hand cannot be found anywhere else. The important festival in this Temple is
Vaigasi visagam, which is celebrated as Lord Subramaniyars birthday, and
Surasamharam, which is celebrated in the month November or December every year.
Presiding deities of the temple are Lord Muruga and Goddess Devasena. Other
deities are Shiva, Vishnu, Durga and Ganapathy.
The 48 massive square pillars with
beautiful carvings and lotus-shaped medallions made during Nayaka period adorn
the entrance of this ancient cave temple. The most impressing feature of this
temple is the idol of main deity which is carved from a single rock. The
temple tower is of seven tiers and displays magnificent carvings and
sculptures. The Brahmi inscriptions found in the Thiruparankundram Temple are
of significant archeological and historic value. The Sivathandavam scene
made as a sculpture is a piece of great artistic value that should not be
missed.
We know peacocks in their natural colours
only. White peacocks can be seen in Tiruparankundram. According to tradition,
the Devas are here in the form of white peacocks to worship Lord Muruga.
Moolavar: Parangirinathar
Amman: Aavudai Nayagi
Pathigam: Sambandar, Sundarar
Theertham: Saravanan
poigai
This temple is located 8 Kms from Madurai at
Tirupparankundram. Frequent town bus services are available from Madurai
central bus stand. Situated 5.5 km South-west of Madurai.The most important of the 6 Padai Veedu temples of Murugan where he dwelled before
vanquishing the demon Soorapadman is Tirupparankunram (near Madurai) a
grand hill temple, visited by thousands throughout the year. Nakkeerar of the
Sangam Period is associated with Tirumurugatruppadai and this shrine.
Tiruppugazh, Kandapuranam and other works speak of the glory of this shrine. This shrine is regarded as the 3rd of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya
region of Tamilnadu.
Lord Murugan is called Subrahmanyar in this temple and this
is the place where he married Devasena. This temple is one of the arupadaivedu,
the six main abodes of Lord muruga and this temple offers the mystic beauty. It
is carved in rock and is monstrous in size for such architecture.
There are several architectural features of interest, especially
the rock cut portions of this hill temple and the life sized sculptures in the
mandapams dating back to the Nayak period.
The main shrine is an early rock cut temple while the other
structures date to the Nayak period. An Aasthaana Mandapam with several
artistically carved pillars lead one to the towering 150 feet high Rajagopuram.
at the entrance. The Kambathadi Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and Mahamandapam are
situated at different levels. Cells in the main wall house the sanctums of
Subramanya, Durga, Vinayakar, Shiva and Vishnu. Panels depicting Shivas dance
of bliss are seen outside the sanctum. These magnificient works of art date
back to the Pandya period.
The mandapams and the carvings within the temple and the Saravana poigai tank are but some of the features of interest apart from the
historical and religious significance of this temple.
Panguni Uthiram is celebrated in the
month of March
Vaikasi Visakam celebrated in the month of Vaigaasi. Visakam
is Lord Murugas birthday star.
Kandha Sashti Kanta Shasti Vratam is observed once a year in
the month of Aippasi (October?November) starting from the piratamai the 1st
phase of the brightening moon.
Aadi Krithigai-This is celebrated in the month of May/June.
Thai Poosam-It is celebrated on the full moon in the month
of Thai.
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of Salvation,
Wealth, Relief from diseases, Purchase
of vehicles and Gain Knowledge
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.