Thirupparankundram,
6 kms southwest of Madurai, is a small town known for its
sacred granite hill. It is regarded as one of the six abodes
of Lord Subramaniya.
It is a cave temple . Here
Lord Muruga was wedded to Devayanai, daughter of Indra, after
annihilating Surapadman.
There is a Rock cut temple
here, built by the Pandyas in the 8th century. The temple
is approached through a series of 17th and 18th century mandapas,
at ascending levels, linked by stone steps.
In the temple there are
separate shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganapathy, Durgai, Vishnu
and other deities.
At the entrance to the temple
there are 48 pillars with artistic carvings. The entrance
mandapa has typical Nayaka period pillars with horse and yali
riders, while portraits of Nayaka rulers are carved on the
columns. The Rock-cut Temple of Subramaniya here is thronged
with pilgrims on all days of special worship. Its innermost
shrine is cut out of a solid rock.
The 14-day temple festival,
in March/April, celebrates the victory of Murugan over the
demon Suran, his coronation, and his subsequent marriage to
Devayani.
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