Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram

Ancient legends

It is possible that the worship history of this hill goes far into the past, maybe even well before there appeared Hinduism. There are many legends associated with this mountain.

Thus, the hill is considered to be the “Himalaya of the South” where the gods assemble. There is also legend that this is the place where Sun and Moon take a rest.

Feat and marriage of Muruga

Thiruparankundram is one of the six main pilgrimage sites for the devotion of the son of Shiva – Muruga (also Subramanya), Tamil Hindu god of war and patron of Tamil Nadu.

The story goes that Muruga with his troops rested here after one of his famous six battles against demons. Finally, he saved Heaven by defeating the evil rakshasa Soorapadman and returned to Thiruparankundram Hill followed by all the liberated deities. At this beautiful hill, where opens a wide view on the lively landscape of Tamil Nadu, in the temple he married Devasena (Deivayanai), daughter of Indra given to him as a gift for victory. The marriage took place in the presence of all deities.

Temple of marriage

Since there have happened such important events, Murugan Temple in Thiruparankundram became one of the most revered shrines in Tamil Nadu. Up to this day, Tamil people readily marry here. Especially many pairs get married in a festival of marriage – Pankuni Uttiram – in late March.

Temple leads a very active religious life with numerous festivities and Thiruparankundram for the most part, of the year, is teeming with life.

As if there is not enough importance and reverence, on the top of the hill there is also a Muslim shrine devoted to Sekunder – Alexander the Great! Local Muslims consider that Alexander the Great was the friend of King Murugan. Thus Thiruparankundram is a place where both Hindu and Muslims go well along.

Short history of the temple

According to another tale King Harichandra worshipped Shiva from this hillock and gained eternal wisdom. Thus he built a temple here – temple was complete with Praharams (ambulatories), walls, Gopurams (gate towers) and steps.

The “real history” (who can differentiate myths and reality in the Indian past?) of the temple may start with the 8th century AD when Pandya rulers built a 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.

Description of the temple

Presiding deities of the temple are Lord Muruga and Goddess Devasena. Other deities – Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, and Ganapathy – are represented as well.

Entrance in the ancient cave temple leads through a row of massive square pillars ornamented with lotus-shaped medallions.

Inside the cave temple, there has been preserved ancient painting of Nataraja – dancing Shiva. The cave temple contains also the sculpture of the presiding deity Sri Subramaniyaswamy (Muruga).

The rock-cut temple contains also 41 inscriptions revealing the early history of the temple.

Before the ancient rock-cut temple there is built front part – mugha mandapam.

A separate entrance leads into Sani Bhagawan – another shrine in this temple. On the western side, there is a rock-cut chamber that houses the lingam but on the eastern side, there is one more shrine with Vishnu and Durga opposite to him. Temple contains many more carvings of deities.

In the south-eastern part of Kambaththadi mandapam, there has been found a 30 m long tunnel.

Temple contains also two historical wooden carts which are used for ceremonial purposes in certain processions.

References

1. Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple. Accessed the on May 11, 2010.

Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram is included in the following article: