Satya Gireeswarar, Tiruparankundram, Madurai

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Satya Gireeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Aavudainayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tirupparankundram
Vriksham:	Kallathi	Teertham:	Saravana Poigai, Lakshmi Teertham, Brahma Koopam
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	to & to	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Pandya Nadu)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar, Sundarar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tiruparankundram	District:	Madurai
Maps from (click):	Current location	Sivaganga (5 km)	Madurai (8 km)
	Virudhunagar (43 km)	Dindigul (66 km)

Location

Tiruparakundram is located just outside Madurai.

Sthala puranam and temple information

When Murugan was a child in his mother’s lap, he overheard Lord Siva teaching the meaning of the Pranava mantram to Parvati. Knowing the meaning of Pranavam by deceit is considered a crime, and so Murugan sought pardon from his father, Siva, here. Lord Siva appeared to him on the day of Thai poosam and formally taught him the meaning of Pranava mantram, removing Murugan’s guilt.

Murugan is said to have worshipped Siva here as Parangirinathar.

Mahishasuran was killed by Parvati who took the form of nine devis over nine days. On the last day, she became Durga, in order to decimate the demon. To get rid of the dosham (sin of killing the demon) the Goddess prayed to Lord Siva. She was asked to go this place and pray to Lord Siva who was the form of the entire hill, due to which he is named Parankundranathar.

This rock-cut temple is said to have been built by the Pandyas in the 6th century CE. Originally called Parankundram, the temple was at the rear of the present-day temple. However, the temple was damaged over time, and the shrines were shifted to the front, ie facing north. Since the temple “turned”, the place began to be referred to as Tirumbiya Parankundram, which later became Tiruparankundram.

This temple complex also houses a shrine for Murugan, which is one of the six Arupadai Veedu temples of Lord Murugan. The shrine of Subrahmanyar (Murugan) – which is part of the main shrine of Lord Siva – is considered one of the six Arupadai Veedu temples of Murugan, and the site of the wedding of Murugan and Deivanai. It is not a separate temple, but is part of the main grabhagriham itself.

Other information for your visit

On the street opposite the main entrance to the temple, and just before the 16-pillared mandapam (which one can see coming from Madurai, is the Sokkanathar temple. Many people miss this temple as it is not very well known. However, it is connected to the main Satya Gireeswarar temple’s history, and has some excellent architecture and idols carved in stone.

Madurai is the nearest place for accommodation for all budgets.