South-west from Madurai there is granite hill rising like an enormous elephant 300 metres above the surrounding plain and visible far away. Here is located one of the most sacred Tamil Hindu shrines - Murugan Temple in Thiruparankundram. Temple consists of more ancient rock-cut parts and newer constructions in front.
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Ancient legends:
It is possible that the worship history of this hill goes far into the past, may be even well before there appeared Hinduism. There are many legends associated with this mountain.
Thus, the hill is considered to be the "Southern Himalaya" where the gods assemble. There is also legend that this is the place where Sun and Moon take a rest.
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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.
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 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. Marriage took place in the presence of all deities.
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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 festival of marriage - Pankuni Uttiram - in late March.
Temple leads very active religious life with numerous festivities and Thiruparankundram for most part of the year is teeming with life.
As if there is not enough importance and reverance, on the top of 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.
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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 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.
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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. Cave temple contains also the sculpture of presiding deity Sri Subramaniyaswamy (Muruga).
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.
Separate entrance leads into Sani Bhagawan - another shrine in this temple. In the western side there is rock-cut chamber which houses the lingam but in 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 proccessions.
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Worship Timing's:
In the kasiviswanathar temple at the hill daily one kalam pooja is performed by 9.00 A.M.The holy water for performing the poojas is taken from the SaravanaPoigai.A priest sitting on elephant brings water in a Kalasam daily in Procession Accomplished by Natheswaram.The festival Deity idol is brought from the sanctum sanctorum 3 times daily and placed in a palanquin and taken is procession around the flag moist accomplished by Natheswaram.
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Special days in the temple
Address:
Sri Subramaniaswamy Temple,
Thirupparankundram, Madurai - 625 005,
Telephone: 0452 -2482248,2484359
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How to reach:
The nearest Major Town/City is Madurai. 10 km is the distance from Madurai to Thiruparankundram
By Air:
Madurai is the nearest airport.
By Train:
We can reach Madurai via train and then reach Thiruparankundram. Madurai is well connected to many cities in India by rail
By Road:
The Thiruparankundram temple is about 7km from Madurai in the NH Highway road connecting Madurai to Kanyakumari.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ancient legends:
It is possible that the worship history of this hill goes far into the past, may be even well before there appeared Hinduism. There are many legends associated with this mountain.
Thus, the hill is considered to be the "Southern Himalaya" 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.
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 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. 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 festival of marriage - Pankuni Uttiram - in late March.
Temple leads very active religious life with numerous festivities and Thiruparankundram for most part of the year is teeming with life.
As if there is not enough importance and reverance, on the top of 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 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. Cave temple contains also the sculpture of presiding deity Sri Subramaniyaswamy (Muruga).
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.
Separate entrance leads into Sani Bhagawan - another shrine in this temple. In the western side there is rock-cut chamber which houses the lingam but in 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 proccessions.
Worship Timing's:
Morning: 5.00 AM to 1.00 PM Evening: 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM
In the kasiviswanathar temple at the hill daily one kalam pooja is performed by 9.00 A.M.The holy water for performing the poojas is taken from the SaravanaPoigai.A priest sitting on elephant brings water in a Kalasam daily in Procession Accomplished by Natheswaram.The festival Deity idol is brought from the sanctum sanctorum 3 times daily and placed in a palanquin and taken is procession around the flag moist accomplished by Natheswaram.
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Daily Pooja's:
In this temple daily pooja rituals are conducted according to the kamika aghamam.The festivals are conducted as per the Karana aghamam. sri skantha sasti festival is conducted as per the kumarathathiram.For sri Moolasthana peruman ajitha agama rules are followed.
There are eight kalam(times) of poojas daily and they are as follows:
1. Thiruvananthal 5.30 A.M
2. Vizha Poojai 7.30 A.M
3. Kalasanthi 8.00 A.M
4. Thirukaka santhi 10.00 A.M
5. Uchikalam 12.00[noon]
6. sayaratchai 05.30 P.M
7. Artha Jamam 8.45 P.M
8. Palliyarai 9.00 P.M
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Special days in the temple
- Panguni Uthiram - It is celebrated in the month of March
- Vaikasi Visakam - Celebrated in the month of Vaigaasi. Visakam is Lord Muruga’s 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
Address:
Sri Subramaniaswamy Temple,
Thirupparankundram, Madurai - 625 005,
Telephone: 0452 -2482248,2484359
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How to reach:
The nearest Major Town/City is Madurai. 10 km is the distance from Madurai to Thiruparankundram
By Air:
Madurai is the nearest airport.
By Train:
We can reach Madurai via train and then reach Thiruparankundram. Madurai is well connected to many cities in India by rail
By Road:
The Thiruparankundram temple is about 7km from Madurai in the NH Highway road connecting Madurai to Kanyakumari.
please add temple accommodation for the pilgrims
ReplyDeletePlease inform about the divine persons in the photo
ReplyDeleteA very informative post. Thank you for sharing the post on Thiruparankundram temple.Located about 10 km away from main Madurai, the temple is situated atop a hill. Check information about Thiruparankundram temple timings , location etc.
ReplyDelete