Thiruparankundram Swamy Temple / Murugan Temple

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MADURAI TOURIST PLACES:

Thiruparankundram Hindu Rock Cut Cave Temple /Subrahmania Swamy Temple:

Popularly called Thiruparankudram Murugan Temple:





It's a Jain rock cut temple. A large rock where one part is thiruparankundram Muruga temple.In this part of the temple Jain scripts and Jain god's were carved. It's under archeological survey of India and is well preserved. So many monkeys are seen in this region. A must visit place if you travel to Madurai.


This is supposed to be the original Thirupparankundram where Siddhas like Nakkeerar lived in caves and were doing penance to receive many boons from the lord almighty 'Shiva ' , This is also commonly called peacock garden because hundreds of peacocks live here. This area is protected area and declared as historically important. This site is under the maintanence of Archeological Survey of India

Jainism faced declination in Tamil land after second half of 7th century. This was time of Bhakti movement and rising of other faiths like Vaishnavism and Shaivism. Jainism and Other faiths had been coexisting in Tamil land for ancient time. Conversion and re conversion of one faith to another faith was common in laity along with the king of that empire.

Jainism faced crucial time during these 4-5 centuries after 7 century. After this crucial time Jainism folded to some particular region of Tamil land but it’s Existence in Tamilnadu never ended. Some Followers migrated to Karnataka where Jainism was patronised by most of the emperors. Some followers of Jainism in Tamil land converted to Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Although conversion took place but it was so deeply penetrated in the civilization that it affected many principles and rituals in Jainism way.

Thenparankundram :-


This place is situated about 11 kms from Madurai city in South west direction. This place is nearby Thiruparankundram Jain and hindu pilgrimage. In fact this Place is another part of the same hillock which contains Thiruparankundram Jain caves.

The Temple, now called as `Umai Andvar Koil' (with Lord Shiva in the form of `Arthanareeswarar') by the locals, was originally a Jain Cave Temple dating back to first century B.C. The earliest practice of Jainism has been proved with the help of tamil brahmi inscription found at the walls of temple as well as another inscription of Prasanna Deva . According to Assistant Director of Tamilnadu Archaeology Department Mr. C. Santhalingam this cave had been used as abode by Digamber Jaina monks since 1 century BC.

All the arrangements for Jaina monks were ensured by Rulers so that Monks can practice penance and secluded life over here. He also pointed out one more clue related to Jainism that is carvings of papal tree on the right of top base relief deity which affirm the concern with Jainism.

Thenparankundram is a protected monument under ASI. More ancient Tamil inscriptions belonging to the 13th century A.D., refer to seven years of Maravarma Sundara Pandian reign (1216-1238) are also seen here. The inscriptions further reveal that Saiva Saint Prasanna Deva converted the Jain monument as Umai Andavar Temple and named it after the King as `Sundara Pandian Eswarar' Temple.

On the outer walls, the three great Saiva saints --Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar - are sculpted out. Figures of two more Saiva saints are also there, one of them perhaps being that of Prasanna Deva.

Hemant Jain

Small cave sheltering Hindu sculptures, partially destroyed during mogul invasions. 

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple or Subramanya Swamy Temple:



¶ first Arupadai veedu¶

Lord Muruga is with Deivanai. With only one consort. Here he married Goddess Deivanai and they are in marriage attire. This temple is carved out of a hill rock and Lord Subramania is carved out of the rock. Rishi will be next to Lord. 

On the same rock, Goddess Durga, Vinayaga and Lord Siva in Linga form and Lord Vishnu ,were all carved out of hill rock.Hence it is called- Kudavarai Koil in Tamil-meaning temple carved out of hill rock.

 Another special in this temple is, Lord Vishnu facing Lord Siva. Generally, in all Siva temples, we see Lord Vishnu very rarely, but in this they face each other in the same rock cut sanctum. Wonderful to see such marvellous workmanship of our artisans of older years.

 We can have a single stretch dharshan of all the five deities. This can not be described by words, the sheer beauty of the deities and anyone will hesitate to move out of the sanctum. A very fulfilling dharshan for the devotees is assured.

Separate sannidhi for Lord Saneeswaran,without other 8 graghas.We had good darshan.

Many other mandapams and other deities are there. Another interesting place, in this temple, is Nandhi with Vel (Lord Muruga’s) and Mouse (Lord Vinayaga) by its sides. It is also unique here.

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple or Subramanya Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple and one of the Six Abodes of Murugan, located at Thiruparankundram. The temple is built in rock-cut architecture and believed to have been built by the Pandyas during the 6th century.

It is one of the most visited tourist places in Madurai, next only to the Meenakshi Amman Temple.Most of the temple are built on top of the mountain but here the temple is built by quered inside the mountain which is very special.

Thiruparamkundram finds mention in Kanda Puranam detailing the slaying of Surapadman by Muruga. As per Hindu legend, Surapadma, a demon king, once obtained boons from Shiva on account of severe penance. He started ruling the 1008 worlds on account of the power attained. He married Padumakomalai and had several sons. Viramkendiram became his capital, a city created in the seas and he started troubling the Devas.

 Surapadman imprisoned Indra (the king of celestial deities) and also desired his wife Indrani. Indra sought the help of Muruga. Muruga sent his messenger Viravakutevar to the demon, but he was unmoved. A severe battle was fought in Thiruparamkundram where Muruga killed all the sons of the demon except Iraniyan. Surapadman hid under the sea and Muruga split him into two pieces, which went on the become the divine vehicles, peacock and rooster. The day when Muruga slayed Surapadma is celebrated as kantha Sashti festival in all the Murugan temples.

Indra, the king of Devas was impressed and he married Deivayanai, his divine daughter to Muruga at Thiruparamkundram. Muruga is believed to have worshipped Shiva here as Parangirinathar. Kanthar Anoobothi, a treatise of the divine marriage records that Muruga asked all the divine angels and gods who attended the marriage to fly back to heaven in their own vehicles in Mano veham (speed of thought).

Unlike other temples, in place of main deity we can see Lord Shiva and Vishnu seated on the opposite direction and inbetween will be Ganesha, Devi and Muruga with Deiyvanai. You can also visit kasi viswanathar temple on the Thiruparamkundram hill.

                            Kasi vishwanathar Temple

Rock-cut temple (குடைவரை கோவில்) with 4 other main shrine for deities Shiva,Vishnu,Durga and Ganesha apart from Lord Muruga.

The temple is built in rock-cut architecture and believed to have been built by the Pandyas during the 6th century. 

The temple is located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Madurai in India.The temple follows Saivite tradition of worship. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Kantha Sashti festival during the Tamil month of Aippasi (October - November) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

This temple mentioned in 2000 years old tamil poets.It's the first padai veetu of God murugan. The other Arupadaiveedu's dedicated for Lord Muruga are Thiruchendur (100 km south of Madurai), Palani (120 km west of Madurai), Swamimalai (150 km east of Madurai), Thiruthani (50 km from Chennai) and Pazhamudircholai (10 km north of Madurai).

This temple is located at five kms from Madurai Periyar Bus stand. Lord Muruga married his concert Theivanai at this place. Karthigai theepam and Palkudam are the two main festivals celebrated here. To reach the sanctum sanctorum one has to climb several steps. The Prasads served here are very delicious and the prices are low.


I took video of thengai kanmaai, kanmaai means irrigation tank. This Irrigation tank is present before going to temple.

This video is like Vlog till the entrance of Thiruparankundram Murugan temple.






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