Aaarupadai veedu-Thiruparamkundram

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Religion serves as the sheath of spirituality. The legends of the lore symbolically showcase the embedded essence of spirituality that forms the core of any religion. They provide a formulated vision of spirituality. The Legend of Thiruparamkundram is no exclusion to this fact and the goal can be surely grasped by an aspiring heart.

Legend

The manifestation of Lord Murugan in Thiruparamkundram commemorates the blissful union of the Lord and Devasena, the daughter of Indra in marriage. The legend goes thus when the two daughters of Mahavishnu, Amrita Valli and Sundara Valli cherished their desire to marry Lord Muruga by performing severe penance in Saravana Poigai. The Lord appeared before them and said that in due course their wish would be fulfilled. He also said that Amritavalli when she is reincarnated as Indra's daughter, they would both enter into wedlock.

Lord Murugan having vanquished Soorapadhman and his allies in Thiruchendur, marched forth with the relieved Devas to Thiruparamkundram. The Lord ordered Vishwakarma to erect an abode for Him and create a well featured town around it. Meanwhile Amrita valli had already been reincarnated as Indra's daughter Devasena and was brought up by Indra's celestial elephant Airaavadham.

The joyful Devas as a token of gratitude towards the Lord for freeing them from the cruel clutches of Soorapadhman, decided to give Devasena in marriage to the Lord. Hence Devasena who was a beautiful lass by then had her wish fulfilled of marrying Lord Murugan. It was a joyous occasion and was graced by Shiva and Parvati, Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, saints and sages and all the celestial beings.

Thiruparangundram also marks the redemption of the six sons of Sage Parasara who were cursed to become fishes in Saravana Poigai. They hence were redeemed by acquiring the graceful darshan of Lord Murugan in Thiruparamkundram.

Thiruparamkundram also has to its credit of the poet saint Nakeerar composing Thirumurugaatrupadai here. As per the legend, the Lord rescued him from his imprisonment by a demon on pleased with his devotional composition.

Significance of the temple

Thiruparamkundram is referred to as the first of the Aarupadaiveedu ( Six battle camps ) of Lord Murugan. It is located at about 5 kilometers, south-east of Madurai. The presiding deities of the temple is Lord Subhramanya ( Lord Murugan ) and Devasena.

The rock-cut temple is located on the northern side of a hill. The sanctum celebrates the idols of Lord Murugan and Devasena seated beside each other along with the idol of Sage Narada. There are also other images of Godheads engraved on the walls of the shrine witnessing the divine union.

There are five theerthams or sacred water sources in and around the temple. They are Saravana Poigai, Lakshmi Theertham, Saniyasi Kinaru, Kasi Sunai and Sathya Koopam.

It is also fact that Machchamuni one among the eighteen Siddhars had attained salvation in Thiruparamkundram.

The monthly Kiruthika festival, the annual chariot festival in April, Vaigasi Vishakam and Kandhar Shashti are celebrated with grandeur.

Devotees throng to the temple to have their weddings conducted at the precincts of the temple. It is believed that marriages conducted in this temple pave way for a happy and cherished life.

Spiritual Significance

Thiruparamkundram represents the spiritual union with the self. The Lord represents the energy that is latent in the self, sprouted out for the vanquishment of the evil in Thiruchendur, and drawn back into its blissful source, the self.

The marriage of the Lord ( Paramatma )and Devasena ( Jeevatma ) also represent the union of the Jeevatma with the Paramatma following the urge of the latter to merge with the former in a blissful union.

Hence lets seek the blessings of Lord Subhramanya and Devasena for a blissful life.