Tiruparangundram

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Location:

 

 

Tiruparangundram is the first Padai Veedu among the Arupadai Veedus of Muruga. It is from a distance of 5 miles from Madurai and is having a height of 300 ft in the shape of Siva Linga. And we can see lot of peacocks behind Tiruparangundram.

Sundara Pandiya Mandapam - Raja Gopuram - Kalyana Mandapam - Kodi Maram :

 

 

On the way to temple, first we reach the Sundara Pandiyan Mandapam. There are 66 pillars in this mandapa. The figures of Tripura Dagana Kolam of Sivan, Narthana Vinayagar, Durgai, Devasena Devi, Veerabagu Thevar and many other carvations are there.

If we move from Sundara Pandiya Mandapam, we can reach the raja Gopuram which has 7 stages and the kalyana mandapa of Tiruparangundram Devastanam. On the east of kalyana mandapa Lakshmi Teerta is there and on the west we can find Bramha Koopam which is also called Sanniyasi Kinaru. If we move straight from the Kalyana mandapa, we can reach the Kodi Maram. In the front of Kodi Maram we can see Peacock(Vahana of Murugan), Nandi(Vahana of Sivan) and Moonjuru(Vahana of Vinayagar) together. This is a rare form and such a form cannot be seen in any other temple.

Mahamandapam:

 

 

On the steps to Mahamandapam Sannidis for Vedavyasar and Rosarar rishis are there and also for Andarabaranar and Uggirar who are the heads of Boodaganas and since these two Boodaganas are the Kaval Deivams of Tiruparangundram, one coming to Tiruparangundram must first worship them before they reach the temple.

On the entrance of Mahamandapam there is a sannidi for Irattai Vinayagar and also for Kalakandi Amman Sameda Adhikara Nandi. In the mahamandapa there are sannidis for Somaskandar(This is a form in which Muruga sitting in the middle of Sivan and Parvathi), Natarajar, Sandigeswarar, Nava Veerargal, Dakshinamoorthy, Bairavar, Chandiran and Chaya Devi - Samingnya Devi Sameda Suriya Bhagavan.

If we move beneath the Mahamandapa, Valli Devasena Sameda Arumuga Peruman, Arunagirinathar, Panchalingas, Jvara Devar and Saneeswara Bhagavan sannidis are there.

On the Upper side of Mahamandapa, there is a sannidi for Kovarthanambigai.

Garba Grahas:

 

 

The temple is in the North side of the monuntain. If we cross 6 steps(These 6 steps are called Shadakshara padigal) from Mahamandapa, we can reach the Artha mandapa in which the Garba Graha is situated which is carved inside the mountain(Kudaivarai Temple). And there are 5 Moolastanams(Garbagrahas)(In all other temple there will only one Moolastanam) - for SatyaGireeswarar, Govartanambigai, Karpaga Vinayagar, Pavala Kanni Vaai Perumal and Murugan. Since the karuvarai is built by carving the mountain(Gugai) there is no abisheka for moolavar and all the special abishekas are performed for Vel.

In the middle of the rock seen at the Garba Graha, the Artha Chittiram(bas relief) Mahisasura Mardini is there and at the bottom of the rock Muruga is in the Kalyana Kolam with Deivayanai(One might remember that after the defeat of Soorapadman Muruga married Deivayanai in Tiruparangundram). On the west, the bas relief of Karpaga Vinayaga sitting on Lotus having Sugarcane and fruits in hands and also surrounded by Bootha Ganas is there. Beneath the foots(Tiruvadigal) of Muruga bas reliefs of two of the vahanas of Murugan(Elephant and Goat) and for the Kaval Devatas'(Andarabaranar and Uggirar)are there. This elephant at the foot is white elephant Airavatam, the Vahana of Indiran and is said to be given the Muruga as seer when he married Devayanai. Here Muruga is in the sitting position and Tiruparangundram is the only padai veedu where Muruga is in the Sitting position and also in the kalyana Kolam.

Near the Moolavar Murugan Sannidi, Pavalakkannivai Perumal is there with MahaLakshmi and Madanga Munivar. On the outside walls of this Sannidi, the bas reliefs of Perumal in Parkadal, Narasimhar and Varaga murthi are there. On the Sannidi next to Karpaga Vinayagar, Satya Gireeswarar Sannidi(Siva Peruman) is there in the form of Linga. In the inside walls of this sannidi the bas relief of Soma Skandar is there and in the outside wall, the bas relief of Parvathi doing GoPooja and that of Siva peruman performing Sandiya Thandavam are there. All these sannidis are made carved inside the cave. And, simply saying, the Garbagraha is made such that all the gods Vinayagar, Durga, Sivan Parvathi and Perumal attending the marriage of Murugan.

Other Sannidis:

 

 

In the southern side of Tirupatrangundram, Umaiandavar temple is there which is also a Kudaivarai temple. On the outer walls of this temple, the bas reliefs of Vinayagar and Bairavar are there. In the inner walls, the bas reliefs of the Natarajar in dancing position and Valli Devasena sameda Murugan are there.

If we move towards west through the mountain there is a Gugai and inside it there are five beds made of stone are there called "Panjapandavar Padukkai" and there is also a teertam here. It is believed that in this place many Jain saints lived here. Here there is a way to reach the top of the mountain. If we come down through this way, we can reach the kottai street where we can find a sannidi for Palani Andavar and if we move up, we can reach the samadi of a Muslim Siddar called Sikkandar Basha.

If we move to some distance in the western side of the hill, we can reach Kasi Viswanathar temple and the Kasi Sunai(Teertam) and it is believed that this teertam is made by Muruga with his vel and this sunai will have water in it always(vattradha sunai). In one side of rock near kasi sunai, figures of Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Ganesar, Subramaniar and Bairavar are carved. And there is a figure of Brahma doing pooja for Pancha Lingas.

Rishis and Siddas:

 

 

The sons of Parasara Munivar namely Taptar, Anandar, Nandi, Sadurmugar, Sakrabani and Mali got rid of the saapa given by their father Parasara Munivar by drinking the milk dropped down in Saravana Poigai when Muruga drinked Gnanapaal from Parasakthi. And they did thavam on Muruga and were teached the Gnana yoga from Muruga at Tiruparangundram.

Narada Munivar also got Upadesa by worshipping Tiruparangundram Murugan.

It is believed that one doing anna danam at Tiruparangundram(Since Murugan is in kalyana kolam and the food provided here is like Kalyana Virundu) he can get rid of all kinds of diseases and one can also get the boon of child.

Nakeerar wrote TiruMurugatruPadai in Tiruparangundram. So there is a sannidi for Nakeerar near Saravana Poigai and the rock here is called as Panchakshara Parai.

Teertas In Tiruparangundram:

 

 

There are 13 teertas in Tiruparangundram. Some of them are Saravana Poigai, Lakshmi Teertam, Brahma Koobam, Sannasi Teertam, Gangai Teertam, Paalsunai Teertam and Teppa Teertam. Some of them are present inside the temple and some around the temple.

The Saravana Poigai Teertam is situated on the downward direction of Tiruparangundra adivaram. It is believed that it is made by Muruga using his vel and it is believed that one seeing or touching this teertam will get all the wealths in life.

The Lakshmi Teertam is formed for Deivayanai and the Gangai Teertam is formed by Muruga with his Vel. Devotees believe that the Vinayagar in Lakshmi Teertam cures skin diseases and they provide Salt and Pepper at Lakshmi teertam. A Pandiyan king named Govitaratuvasan got rid from White Leprosy by taking bath in the BrahmaKoobam formed by Brahma. Even today it is believed that one taking bath in this Teerta gets relieved from Diabetes. And the Water from this Teerta is used for Abisheka pursoses.

In the western side of the hill, we can reach Kasi Viswanathar temple and the Kasi Sunai and it is believed that this teertam is made by Muruga with his vel and this sunai will have water in it always(vattradha sunai).

Festivals:

1. For the Chittirai festival at Madurai Meenakshi Temple(Meenakshi-Sundareswar Kalyanam) Tiruparangundram Murugan will come with Valli and Deivayanai.

2. During the Vaigasi Visaga Festival 1000s of devotees will take Mlk Kavadi to Murugan. On this day 1000s of pots of Milk Abhisheka will be given to Muruga.

3. During the Avani month, Swamy's purappadu for Puttu Thiruvizha will also be held.

4. Deepa Thiruvizha will be held in the month of Purattasi.

5. Teppa Thiruvizha during the month of Thai.

6. Not as in all other temples the event of SooraSamharam is conducted thrice a year(but is conducted only once in other temples) in Tiruparangundram - once during Kanda Sasti Festival of Aipasi month, then during the Theppa Thiruvizha of Thai Month and during the Panguni Peruvizha.

7. Pradosha is celebrated twice a month here.

8. In the Palani Andavar temple in the Kottai street every year Thai Poosam is celebrated grantly and thousands of devotees participate in this festival.

Accomodation:

 

 

The temple Devastanam has built a lodge with 24 rooms for the Devotees coming to the Temple in the Periya Ratha Veedi. Apart from these there atre more than 50 Kalyana mandapas here.

 

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