Sri SubrhamanyaSwamy Temple-Tirupparankundram,

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Tirupparankundram, a hill five miles southwest of Madurai, is the fourth pilgrimage site of Muruga. A cave temple dedicated to the element of earth and mentioned in various classical Tamil texts as the 'Southern Himalaya' where the gods assemble, Tirupparankunram is also mentioned in legend as 'the place where the sun and moon abide'. Murugan was married to Devasena upon the hill and for many centuries the Tamil people have considered it the most auspicious place for their own marriages, especially during the time of the Pankuni Uttiram, the festival of marriage held in late March. Besides the fantastic temple to Murugan on the hill, there is also a Muslim shrine dedicated to 'Sekunder' (al-Sikandar or Alexander the Great) who is associated with Murukan by the Muslim pilgrims. "Sikandar was a friend of Murugan at the time when Murugan was King here," they say.

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, Devayanai.

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 fulfil 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 (yānai in Tamil means elephant).

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.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE :
Tiruparankundram temple is the sixth century rock-cut temple, which is dedicated to Lord Subramanya. It is one of the six abodes(Arupadai Veedu) of the Lord.Here, Subramanya married Deivayanai, the daughter of Indra, after the victory over Surapadman. Subramanya with his consort is said to have worshipped His parents Lord Parangirinathar and Avudainayaki at this shrine. The main shrine is an early cave temple situated at a height of 1050 feet.

A famous Islamic Durgah (Shrine) is located at the top of the hill, where the grave of an Islamic saint Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badushah, who came from Jeddah during the mid 9th century, is found. Irrespective of religion people from all parts of Tamil Nadu and from Kerala visit this durgah \u2014 particularly, people who visit Ervadi Durgah in Ramnad district are supposed to visit this durgah. Many poems were written in praise of Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha, by Syed Abdussalam Ibrahim Saalim Hazrat, the third in the list of Madurai Hazrats. It is believed that people who come here with a wish see it answered in a very short time, and so he is also called Mustajab ad Du\u2019aa Sikandhar Badhushah.

DIVINESS OF THE TEMPLE:
At the entrance to this shrine, there are 48 pillars with artistic carvings. A seven tier gopuram above the Kalyana Mandapam is sculpturally beautiful. In the sanctum, there are five cells, each enshrining a deity. In the central shrines, we worship Murga, Durga and Vinayaka. Brahma, Indra, Surya and Chandra are depicted above these images. In the two cells facing each other, there are images of Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and a Lingam respectively.

At the top of the hill, there is a shrine dedicated to Kasi Viswanatha. An image of Nakkeerar, the Tamil poet, is seen here standing in reverence. Antiquity of this temple has been sung even in the Sangam Literature dating back to 200 BC. Tamil Bhrami inscriptions in the temple also date back to this period. The current structure dates back to the Pandya kings of the 8th century AD. The Saivite Saint poets Sundarar and Sambandar have sung the glories of this temple and so has Arunagirinathar.

AUSPICIOUS DAYS :
Daily poojas are performed, Thai Poosam(January-February),Panguni Uthiram(April-May),Skanda Shashti & Karthigai(November-December) are very famous festivals in this temple.
 
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is at Madurai.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at Madurai, which is an important railway junction on southern railways.
Road: Tourists can access Thiruparankunram from Madurai, which is well served by Tamil Nadu government and private bus operators.

WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the star and economy class hotels, lodges, hostels, devasthanam cottages and choultries in Madurai. 

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