Lord Skanda-Murugan
 

Tirupparankundram Lord Subrahmanya Swami
Tirupparankundram Lord Subrahmanya Swami at centre with Teyvayānai Ammai at his left side and Sage Nārada at his right side
Sundaravalli and Amirtavalli pray to their father Visnu for the boon of marrying Lord Murugan
Sundaravalli and Amirtavalli pray to their father Visnu for the boon of marrying Lord Murugan.
Tirupparankundram gopuram and hill
Tirupparankundram gopuram and hill
Tirupparankundram tiru kulam and hill
Tirupparankundram tiru kulam and hill

Legends of Tirupparankunram

by R.K.Das

Introduction

Tirupparankundram is situated at a distance of three miles to the southeast of Madurai on the main railway line. It is one of the six sacred places selected by Subrahmanya for his abode. The importance of this temple is that here was celebrated the marriage of Lord Subrahmanya with the daughter of Indra, Devayanai.

The six sons of sage Parasara were cursed to become fishes in the Saravana Poigai. On request for redemption, these six boys were ordered to pray to Lord Subrahmanya.

When they got his darsan, they could get redemption. It was also made known to them that Lord Subrahmanya would come to Tirupparankunram after vanquishing the demon Surapadma. Anxiously they waited for the arrival of Subrahmanya.

When the mission of Subrahmanya to vanquish Surapadma was over at Tiruchendur, on his way, he came to this spot followed by all the devas and heavenly beings whom he had released from the untold miseries caused by Surapadma.

On his arrival at Tirupparankunram, the sons of Parasara received Subrahmanya and, at their request, he consented to stay there. He at once ordered Viswakarma to construct a beautiful abode for himself, for the devas and for others.

He also suggested to the heavenly architect to build roads and erect a city around them. Indra, the king of the angels, desired to get his daughter Devayanai married to Subrahmanya, as a mark of his gratitude for relieving him and the devas from the depredations of the demon Surapadma.

He expressed his desire to Brahma and Vishnu who were present there. They were only too glad to hear the proposal. When they communicated the desire of Indra to Lord Subrahmanya he readily agreed to it and said: "Devayanai has been praying at Saravana Poigai in the Himalayas for this happy marriage. Now the time has come for its being solemnised." As Subrahmanya agreed to this marriage, Indra sent a messenger to bring his wife Indrani and daughter Devayanai from Mount Meru.

All arrangements for marriage were made and the marriage was performed at the Tirupparankunram temple. All the devas, Siva and Parvati attended the marriage and blessed Subrahmanya and Devayanai. Since then, the temple has become a very famous abode of Subrahmanya.

When Lord Subrahmanya was staying at Kanda Verpu, the two daughters of Lord Mahavishnu, Amritavalli and Sundaravalli, who cherished the desire of becoming the consorts of Subrahmanya, went to Sanavana Poigai and commenced austere penance to fulfil their desires. Pleased with their prayer and worship, Lord Subrahmanya appeared before them and told Amritavalli: "You will be brought up by Indra as his daughter and I shall marry you in due course.

"Her younger sister Sundaravalli was also graced with a similar blessing. She was born to Sage Sivamuni and brought up by Nambi, the headman of hunters. Amritavalli took the form of a female child and went to Mount Meru the abode of Indra, and told him: "I am the daughter of Mahavishnu and the responsibility of looking after me has been entrusted to you.' On hearing this, Indra became very happy and directed Airavatam, his white elephant, to take care of the child.

The elephant with all love brought her up and affection and she attained the age of marriage in course of time. Hence she came to be known as Devayanai, one who was brought up by the heavenly elephant of Indra (yanai means elephant). The marriage took place at Tirupparankunram, after the victory of Subrahmanya over Surapadma.

Courtesy: R.K. Das