Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple Timings, History

Thiruparankundram Temple is an ancient Murugan Temple constructed in the 8th Century during the Pandyan reign and is located in Thiruparankundram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya (North India) and Subramaniya Swamy (Andhra, Telangana and Karnataka). The Temple is one of Murugan’s six abodes(Arupadaiveedu) and is regarded as the first and foremost temple of Lord Muruga. This temple was carved out of a mountain by cutting rocks which add to its overall magnetism. The Rajagopuram (Main Tower) of this temple is found with 7 tiered structures, towering 150 feet high at the entrance of the temple.

This shrine has separate shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga, Lord Vinayaka and other prominent Hindu deities carved on Parankundram rock. This temple, which is also historically significant, is known for its uniqueness. In this temple, the idols of Lord Shiva and Sri Vishnu face each other, which is a unique aspect in a Hindu temple. From this temple, you can see the sun and the moon together, which is a great attraction among devotees. A carved Nandi (bull), Mayil (peacock), and mouse, the Vahanas (vehicles) of Shiva, Murugan, and Vinayaka, stand in front of the Dwajasthambam, the flagstaff. Lord Brahma can be worshipped only in this temple, as He had a curse, people will not build a temple for Him.

Before Ardha Mandapam, there is a flight of six steps known as the “Shadashara Padigal.”. Saravana Poigai, Lakshmi Theertham, Saniyasi Kinaru (well), Kasi Sunai, and Sathiya Koopam are the five water bodies. This temple has several mandapas, including Kambathadi Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam, and Mahamandapam, which are located on different levels and connected by steps.

This temple is associated with several myths and legends, one of which claims that it was here that Lord Muruga defeated the demon Surapadman, married Deivayani, daughter of Indra, and worshiped Lord Shiva.

An Islamic dargah dedicated to the Arab conqueror named Sikander Badusha Shaheed, is present in his neighborhood. It is believed that he attained sainthood after his death.

Sambandar, a 7th-century Shaiva saint, visited Thirupparamkunram and praised the Lord Shiva icon of Uchinathar temple in ten passages from Tevaram compiled as the first Tirumurai. The temple is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples mentioned in the Saiva canon, as it is worshiped in Tevaram. The temple is the third in a series of temples on the banks of the Vaigai River. In this temple, Sambandar blessed the three Tamil chiefs, the Chera, the Chola, and the Pandya. Sundarar and Sambandar wrote the Tevaram Pathigam in this location.

Thiruparankundram Temple Timings:

Morning: 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Thiruparankundram Temple Poojai/Darshan Hours:

Subramaniya Swamy Temple History:

Thiruparamkundram finds a mention in the Kanda Puranam detailing the murder of Demon King Surapadman by Lord Murugan the god of war. According to Hindu legend, Surapadman once obtained Lord Shiva’s blessings due to severe penance. He began to rule over the 1008 worlds due to the power he attained. He married Padumakomalai and had several children. Viramkendiram, a city created in the seas, becomes his capital and begins to harass the devas. He imprisoned Lord Indra and also desired Indra’s wife, Indrani. Indra sought help from the son of Lord Shiva. Murugan sent his messenger Viravakutevar to the demon, who remained unmoved. Severe battles took place at Thiruparamkundram, where Murugan killed all of Surapadman’s sons except Iraniyan. Murugan divided Surapadman into two parts, which became the divine vehicles of the god, the Peacock and the Rooster. The day when Murugan killed Surapadman is celebrated as Skanda Sashti.

In gratitude, Lord Indra married his daughter Deivayanai to Lord Murugan in Thiruparamkundram. It is believed that god Murugan worshiped Lord Shiva here as Parangirinathar. Kanthar Anoobothi, a treatise on divine marriage records that Murugan instructed all divine angels and gods who attended the marriage to return to heaven in their own vehicles at Mano Veham (speed of thought).

Inscriptional evidence indicates that this temple, carved out of a hill, was probably once a Jain cave. There is another theory that before that, the Murugan Temple existed long before the 6th century and was converted into a Jain shrine by Jain monks under King Pandya Koon Pandiyan. The temple later became 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 has several additions during the reign of Madurai Nayaks, who commissioned the pillared halls of the temple. As of 2021, the temple has been maintained and administered by the Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple Festivals:

• Tamil New Year in April
• Ani Muppzha Pooja in July
• Skanda Sashti in October to November
• Saraswathi Pooja in October to November
• Ani Muppzha Pooja in July
• Marghazhi Pooja in December to January
• Theppam Festival in January to February
• Karthigai Somavaram in November to December
• Masi Maha Shivaratri in January to February
• Theppam Festival in January to February

How to Reach Thiruparankundram Temple:

By Air:
Madurai Airport is 9.1 km from the temple.

By Rail:
Madurai railway Junction is just 7.6 km to the temple.

By Road:
Government and private direct buses are available from Chennai, Bengaluru and Vellore, Bangalore and Tirupati. Thiruparankundram Temple is 10 km from Madurai city. One can reach the temple by cab, bus, Train, or any private mode of transportation.

Thiruparankundram Subramanya Temple Address:

146a, Big Car Street,
Thiruparankundram,
Madurai District,
Tamil Nadu – 625005.

Other Six Abodes of Sri Murugan | Arupadai Veedu Temple:

1. Palani Murugan Temple / Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple
2. Sri Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai
3. Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani
4. Sri Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai
5. Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur