Srimurgan Temple/Shri Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple Thiruparankundram,Tamil Nadu

Arulmigu Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Murugan (also known as Kartikeya) at Thiruparankundram, Tamilnadu, India. It is regarded as one of the “First Houses of Murugan”. The temple uses rock-cut architecture and is believed to have been built by the Pandyas during the 6th century. According to legend, Murugan slayed the demon Surapadman and married his consort Devasena at the temple. Murugan is also said to have worshipped his father Shiva at the site as Parangirinathar.

The temple is located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Madurai in India. In the main shrine, apart from Murugan, the deities Shiva, Vishnu, Vinayaka (Ganesha) and Durga are housed. The temple follows Shaiva 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) is the most prominent. The temple is under the purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

History

Inscriptional evidence in the temple points to a history as a Jain cave. Other theories suggest that the Murugan temple existed much before the 6th century, and was converted into a Jain shrine by Jain monks under the aegis of Pandya king Koon Pandiyan. The temple was later converted into a Hindu temple under the tutelage of Gajapathy, the minister of a later Pandya King, during the latter part of the 8th century. The temple received several additions during the regime of Madurai Nayaks, who commissioned the pillared halls in the temple. As of 2021, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

Image of Saravana Poigai and the temple
Thiruparamkundram finds mention in the Skanda Puranam detailing the slaying of Surapadman by the god Murugan. According to Hindu legend, the demon king Surapadman once obtained boons, or favors, from the god Shiva due to severe penance. He started ruling the world on account of the power attained. He married Padumakomalai and had several sons. Viramkendiram, a city created in the seas, became his capital, and he started troubling the devas (the gods). He imprisoned Indra (the king of the gods) and also desired Indra’s wife Indrani. Indra sought the help of Shiva’s son and the god of war Murugan. Murugan sent his messenger Viravaku thevar to the demon, who remained unmoved. A severe battle was fought in Thiruchendur where Murugan killed all the sons of the Surapadman except Iraniyan. Surapadman hid under the sea. Murugan split him into two pieces, which went on to become the god’s divine vehicles, peacock and rooster. The day when Murugan slayed Surapadman is celebrated as Skanda Sashti festival in all the Murugan temples.

In gratitude, Indra married his daughter Devasena (Deivayanai) to Murugan at Thiruparamkundram. Murugan is believed to have worshipped Shiva here as Parangirinathar.