Tirupparamkunram
| Tirupparangunram | |||
| — village — | |||
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| Coordinates | 9°52′N 78°04′E / 9.87°N 78.07°ECoordinates: 9°52′N 78°04′E / 9.87°N 78.07°E | ||
| Country | India | ||
| State | Tamil Nadu | ||
| District(s) | Madurai | ||
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) | ||
| Area |
• 137 metres (449 ft) |
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Tirupparamkunram (also spelt as Tirupparangunram or Tirupparankunram or Thirupparankundram or Thiruparangundram or Tiruparankundram) is a small township, located 10 km from the city of Madurai, in South India. It is renowned for the Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple dedicated to Lord Muruga, a Hindu God who is revered by the people of South India. This temple is regarded as an Arupadaiveedu, one of the six battle camps of the Lord.
The famous Thiagarajar College of Engineering, is situated near to the temple. The adjacent locality of Tirunagar supports Tirupparamkunram and its precincts. The ideal time to visit this place is in the months of January–April and July–September, when most of the Hindu festivals take place. Some of the major festivals include Thai Pusam and Panguni Utharam.
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[edit] Overview
Thiruparamkundram or Paramkundram is the divine place where the celestial wedding of Lord Murugan and Goddess Deivayanai took place, witnessed by all Gods and devas.
Goddess Devayanai or Deivanai, is the daughter of Indra, the King of the devas. She was given in marriage to Lord Muruga, on vanquishing the demon Soorapadman, and thereby restoring the Indraloka, the Kingdom of Heaven, to Lord Indra.
The Goddess was given a boon by Lord Murugan in her previous birth, to marry Him and therefore she was predestined to wed the Lord in her current birth. Lord Muruga was born with the sole intention of destroying the demon Soorapadman, who had gained an upper hand over the Devas and drove out Indra and seized control of Heaven. The Lord led the army of devas, through his Arupadai veedu, six battle-camps and won the war against the demon and destroying him at the end. Lord Murugan, thus restored the control of Heaven to Lord Indra and brought peace among the heavenly beings.
[edit] Thirupparangundram Dargah
The Thiruparankundram Dargah is located at the top of the Thirupparamkundram hill. It is a famous Islamic dargah (shrine), where the grave of an Islamic saint Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badushah shaheed Radiyallah Ta'al anhu is located. It can be seen from any part of the Madurai city.
[edit] History of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha Shaheed Razi
Sikandhar Badusha, who was the governor of Jeddah came along with Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badushah who came to Tamil Nadu in particular Ervadi from Madinah during the late 12th century.[1]
[edit] Sikandhar Badhusha's rule in Madurai
Badusha Sulthan Syed Ibrahim shaheed LABSWH of Erwadi won the Madurai province against the king thiru Pandiyan who refused to embrace Islam and made Hazrat Sulthan Iskandhar Badusha as the emperor of Madurai.The rule of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandar badusha was peaceful and people were happy with the way Hazrat ruled in the basics of sharia. King Tiru pandiyan who was defeated, went to Tirupati, met all his friends and briefed about the invasion of the arabs. They helped him with formation of large troop.
[edit] War after Tirupandiyan's return
After forming a big and healthy troop to face the Arabs, King Vira(Thirup)Pandiyan started towards madurai. The emperor of madurai Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha, who was unaware about this secret turn around of Veerapandiyan, concentrated in flourishing Islam and in the welfare of the people rather than strengthening the army. Tiruppandiyan who came with a strong army fought with Hazrath Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha Razi vigorously. Thousands of soldiers were killed both the sides and blood rivers flew in madurai. The poet of sangam era describes as the biggest ever war held in the Pandiya kingdom. The Arabs were in need of more troops to face the Pandiyas. Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha sent 9 of his soldiers to inform Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed the emperor of Bouthiramanikkapattinam (now Erwadi) to inform about the war and the need of more troops. Afraid of more soldiers arriving from Ervadi, king Vira(Thiru)pandiyan sent a large number of his soldiers to stop the 9 Arabian soldiers who were travelling towards Erwadi. Hazrat Syed Salaar Sha Shaheed razi was martyred at Palli chandai near Keeladi Silaiman and Hazrat Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Razi at Karseri near Sakkimangalam. The remaining 7 soldiers fought bravely and continued their journey towards ervadi. Again a large group of Pandiyan soldiers followed them up and a rigorous war held at Manamadurai in which five of the Arabian soldiers called as Khamsatu (Five) Shuhadaas (Anjanamaar - Paanch Peer) were martyred. The remaining two soldiers travelled hard to convey the message to the Emperor of Erwadi. Hazrat Umar Khattab Shaheed Razi was martyred at Kilavaneri near Meesal. The only soldier who was alive was injured brutally by the Pandiyas. But somehow He managed to reach Bouthiramanikkapattanam and conveyed the message of Thiuppandiyan's invasion back to Madurai. Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Badusha was saddened by this and sent a large troop towards madurai. Before the troop could reach madurai, the tough war at madurai came to end and virapandiyan captured the throne back.
[edit] Martyrdom at Thiruparankundram hills
Hazrath Sulthan Sikkandhar Badhusha Shaheed rested at Thiruparankundram caves for prayers and peace. Even after capturing the throne, king Thiruppandiyan was afraid of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badusha and the arabian forces surging back. So he was in search of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha shaheed. Thousands of soldiers were sent in search, and finally they could see a rock flying up and settling down regularly in the Thirupparagundram hill and when they followed that, they saw an arabian horse at the top of the hill which they confirmed to be of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha. A few soldiers reached the cave where they found the rock to fly up while Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar badhusha stood for prayers and settle down when He was prostrating. One of the mal'oon from the soldiers of pandiya martyred Hazrat Sulathan Sikandhar Badhusha Shaheed Raziyallah ta'ala anhu during His prostration in prayers while He was keen in praying Allah the Emperor of Emperors.
[edit] Everlasting Miracles
Immediately the Pandiya soldier[citation needed] turned blind. Realising this to be the Miracle (Karamat) of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha radiyallahu anhu, he begged and lamented for forgiveness and they intended to do funeral. Accepting their forgiveness Hazrat Mustajab Ad Dua Sikandhar Badhusha prayed and gave back his vision. As intended, they did the funeral of Holy Jasada Mubarak at the top of the hill as per Islamic regulations. A big rock flew and covered the Qabr of Hazrat Sulthan Iskandhar badusha. There are other millions of miracles Karaamaat of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha radiyallahu anhu happening day to day in the Dargha and other the locations.
[edit] Thiruparankundram Dargah-A site of Religious Harmony today
Irrespective of religion, people from all parts of Tamil Nadu and from Kerala visit this durgah. People who visit the Ervadi Durgah in Ramanathapuram district are supposed to visit this durgah. Many poems are written in praise of Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha, by Syed Abdussalam Ibrahim Saalim Madurai Maqbara Hazrat,the third in the list of Madurai Hazrats and his Matrnal grandson Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Saahib Hazrat. It is seen that people who come here with a wish see it answered in a very short time, and so He is called Mustajab ad Du'aa Sikandhar Badhushah. Mustajab Ad Du'aa in Arabic translates as, A saint whose Prayers are immediately answered by Allah.
[edit] Urus Santhanakoodu Festival
The Anniversary Urs festival of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandar Badusha Shaheed is commomerated on the 17th night of the Islamic Month of Rajab every Hijri year. Thousands of people visit the dargah at the hill top on this day. Lot of arrangements are made by the Dargah committee and the local Police for the welfare of the pilgrims.
[edit] Temple
It is believed that Long, long ago, when Lord Subrahmanya was staying at Kanda Verpu, the two daughters of Lord Maha Vishnu, Amrita Valli and Sundara Valli, cherished the desire of becoming the consorts of Subrahmanya. With this aim in mind they both went to Saravana Poigai and commenced austere penance to fulfil their desires. Pleased with their prayer and worship, Lord Subrahmanya appeared before them and told Amrita Valli, "You will be brought up by Indra as his daughter and I shall marry you in due course." Her younger sister Sundara Valli was also graced with a similar blessing. She was born to sage Sivamuni and brought up by Nambi, the headman of Veddas. Amrita Valli took the form of a female child and went to Mount Meru, the abode of Indra, and told him, "I am the daughter of Maha Vishnu 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 (yānai in Tamil means elephant). 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 darshan, 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 Subrahmanva 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 Mout Meru. The marriage took place at Tirupparankunram, after the victory of Subrahmanya over Surapadma. 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.
[edit] Geography
Tirupparangunram is located at 9°52′N 78°04′E / 9.87°N 78.07°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 137 m (449 ft).
[edit] Transport
[edit] Air
Chennai International Airport has frequent services to Madurai.Madurai airport serves many of the regional airlines in India.
[edit] Train
Madurai junction has direct connection to Chennai, Mumbai and many other important towns in India.
[edit] Bus
Madurai Mattuthavani bus terminal can be reached from any part of Tamilnadu and Kerala. From there, local buses towards Thirumangalam and Thirunagar, stop at Tiruparanguram near the rail crossing outside the township. The journey typically takes less than an hour.
[edit] Road
Thirupparankundram is on National Highway 7, lies 450 km from Chennai with driving time of around nine hours.
[edit] Educational institutions
- Thiagarajar College of Engineering
- sri skanda guru vidyalayam
Apart from urban city life a well known vedic culture & agamic study center is located in thiruparangundram.
[edit] Politics
Tirupparankundram assembly constituency is part of Madurai (Lok Sabha constituency).[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Tirupparangunram
- ^ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies". Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
