சுப்பிரமணியசுவாமி திருக்கோயில் திருப்பரங்குன்றம்
This ancient temple is found on the southern outskirts of Madurai set against a granite hill. It is a rock cut cave temple with some unique features. Unlike other temples where there is only one deity in the sanctum sanctorum (the Karuvarai), this temple has five deities - Siva, Vishnu, Murugan, Ganesha and Durga. It is revered as an important Sivasthalam (Paadal Petra Sthalam) as well as one of the most important Murugan temples (it is one of the Aru Padai Veedu). Today it is predominantly considered a Murugan temple. The presiding deity is still Siva. In the early 7th century it was briefly converted to a Jain place of worship when the Jain monks were quite powerful in Madurai and wielded enormous power over the the Pandian King.
A large temple has been built over the centuries around the ancient original cave. As it is set against the hillside, it does not have the traditional prakarams (circumambulatory enclosures). As the sanctum is set against the rock face. people who wish to do a circumambulation, do so around the hill as it common in hill temples. It is called a Girivalam. The idols in the sanctum are carved on the bedrock of the Thiruparankundram hill. The hill itself is considered a manifestation of a Sivalingam. It also serves as the vimanam of the temple. The various mandapams are on different levels as you climb up to the sanctum.
The temple finds mention in the Sangam work the Thirumurugatruppadai(திருமுருகாற்றுப்படை) from around the beginning of the first millennium, attesting to its antiquity. The work is credited to the legendary Sangam era poet Nakkeerer and celebrates Lord Murugan. Thirugnasampanthar rendered a Thevara pathikam here in the seventh century. Thus it is a Paadal Petra Sivasthalam.
The original cave temple is of Pandiyan construction. The majority of the structures today including the magnificent seven tiered rajagopuram and the 48 pillared hall, the Astana Mandapam at the entrance are from the Nayakkan era.
Amazing temple. Must see if you visit Madurai. If you have time and energy go up the hill and visit the Kasi Visvanathar temple for some amazing views.
We visited in August 2019.
Credits: Google Maps
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