Thiruparamkundram - Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple
Karu Jeyakumar <sambaviSPAMFILTER@srividya.org>
Friday October 29 2004
- Legends - Puranas and Mythology Nakeerar, in his Tamil
writings compilation called Thirumurugatruppadai, more than 2000 years ago, and
saint Poet Arunagirinaathar, who has composed Thirupugazh verses on Murugan,
have both sung in great praise of Lord Subramanya of Thiruparamkundram. This
place is considered to be the holy spot where Lord Muruga's celestial marriage
took place.Saint Poet Nakkeerar composed his great literary work
Thirumurugatrupadai in this divine place. The story goes that he was imprisoned
in a cellar by a demon and Lord Muruga came to the rescue of the poet Nakkerar,
on hearing the songs composed.
- Mouse, Nandhi and Peacock Vahanas or Vehicles Lord Muruga
is said to have married Indiran's daughter Deivayanai , in this holy place.
Deivaynai, the daughter of Indira, as mythology goes, was brought by Iravatham
in the Devalokam. Also, it was predestined that Murugan would marry Deivayanai (
Devanai or Deivayani) at this sacred place. The marriage was witnessed by Lord
Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and many other Hindu Gods and
Hindu Goddesses The marriage took place after Lord Subrahmanya vanquished the
arrogant demon Soorapadman in the battle at Tiruchendur.
- Location and Temple Precincts The temple is situated just
five kilometers in the South-east direction of Madurai, abutting the main
railway line. The temple is located in the northern side of the hill. Before the
gopuram, Sundara Pandiya Mandapam and Asthana Mandapam are located. The idols
depicting the marriage of Lord Muruga with Deivayanai is gratifying. The
sculptors bring the idols to real life with their exquisite carvings. The temple
hall houses idols depicting the excellent sculpturing skills include those of
Elephants, tigers, tiger hunting etc. Twenty pillars made of stone, each 48 feet
in height add a touch of class to this temple. The Rajagopuram and the Kalyana
mandapam are just ahead of this hall. On the western side, one can identify the
Lakshmi Theertham and on the western side is the Brahma Koopam ( also called
Saniyasi Kinaru). Water from the Brahma Koopam is used for the Abhishekam of
Lord Subrahmanya Swamy. One of the many holy water tanks of Thiruparamkundram In
front of the Dwajasthambam or the Kodi Maram, one gets the magnificiently carved
Nandi, Mayil and the Mouse ( the vehicle of Lord Ganesha). This is a specialty
of this Murugan shrine.Going inside, one can see the sannidhis of various Hindu
Gods and Hindu Goddesses. Of special mention is the sannidhi of Saneeswaran
without the other eight Grahas. Climbing a flight of six steps called the
"Shadashara Padigal", one reaches the Artha Mandapam. One gets to see the rock
carvings of Mahisshasura Mardini, Karpaga Vinayagar, Andarabaranar and Uggirar.
There is also a rock carved sannidhi for Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Shiva
in the form Sivalingam and Sathiyagireeshwarar sannidhis located here cannot
miss the attention of the Muruga Bakthas visiting this Murugan shrine. Sage
Narada is believed to have received the blessing of the Lord here. The Moolavar
deity is also sculptured from a rock. Abhishekams for the presiding deity is
done to the Murugan's Vel only. There are five Theerthams or divine water
sources, in and around the temple. They are: Saravana Poigai; Lakshmi Theertham ; Saniyasi Kinaru( well) ; Kasi Sunai; and Sathiya Koopam. .
- Soorasamharam Festival of Lord Muruga at Thiruparamkundram History of the Temple: About 1200 years before, the Pandiya Kings constructed a
great part of the temple precincts and temple walls. The Madurai Nayakar King
Veerappar, Raja Thirumalai and Queen Mangammal are known to have patronized this
temple and generously contributed towards temple maintenance.
- Temple timings & Festivals Daily pujas to the deities
are performed six times a day (six kalams). Forenoon : Ushat Kalam, Kalasandhi
and Uchikala poojas are performed in the and the afternoon poojas commencing
from Sayaratchai and Rendam kalam are concluded with Arthajama pooja in the
night.
- Annual festivals include Monthly Kirutikai festival;Temple
Chariot festival in April ;Visakam festival in May ;Skanda Shashti festival in
October.
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