Thirupparankundram Madurai

   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.