At a distance of eight km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Thiruparankundram Temple, also referred to as Tirupparamkunram Murugan Kovil is famend for its eighth century rock lower cave temple devoted to Lord Murugan (Subrahmanya). It is among the main sacred locations to go to in Madurai.
Tirupparankundram Temple is among the six abodes of Murugan and regarded because the at first temple of Lord Muruga. A number of myths and legends are related to this temple and one among them says that it’s at this place that the Lord Muruga defeated the demon Surapadman and acquired married to Deivayani, daughter of the king of heaven, Indra and worshipped Lord Shiva.
The primary shrine is an early rock lower temple which has cells that home the sanctums of Subramanya, Durga, Vinayakar, Shiva and Vishnu. There are a number of mandapas on this temple generally known as Kambathadi Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam, and Mahamandapam located at completely different ranges linked by steps. There are a number of architectural options of curiosity, particularly the rock lower parts of this hill temple courting again to the Pandya interval and the life sized sculptures within the mandapams of the Nayakar interval.
An Aasthaana Mandapam with a number of artistically carved pillars lead one to the Rajagopuram which is 150 ft excessive. The shrine, having 48 inventive carved pillars, is a big rectangular chamber excavated into the massive most important rock. The sanctum sanctorum is constructed by a mix of 9 minerals known as Navabashana and has the statue of lord Murugan carved in his standing place.
A curious function of this temple is that the Gods Shiva and Vishnu face one another in the primary shrine, which is a uncommon scene in historical Hindu temples. Outdoors the temple there’s a lovely pond the place, in line with Temple custom, the fishes are served with salt and rice flakes by the devotees.
Annual pageant is widely known within the Tamil month of Panguni (March / April) which attracts giant variety of devotees. Lord Muruga from right here is taken in procession to Madurai to have fun Minakshi’s wedding ceremony (Chittirai pageant in April / Could).
Bus from Madurai to Thiruparankundram begin at Periyar bus station positioned close to Railway Station.
Timings : 5:30 AM to 1 PM and four to 9:30 PM