Thalavirutcham:
In olden days our ancestors lived in forest as their residence. After the civilization and developed culture the forest were destroyed and constructed the city temples for Gods. Even though they established temples, they didn’t destroy the pioneer of the tree, and maintain and grow the tree near the God in the name of Thalavirutcham (Thalamaram). Kallathi tree is the pioneer tree of this place. This tree is situated in the eastern side of the Tiruvatchi mandapam way to Lakshmi Theertham.Formation of the Temple:
The mountain is situated at the height of 1050 ft. from the sea level and its height is 300 mtr. This city Tirupparankundram is next to Madurai, from ancient days itself it becomes famous. At the foot of the mountain God Murugan Temple is situated. Most part of the temple is formed in the northern side. This beautiful cave temple is faced to northern side. If we enter the village, in the Sannathi street find a Mayil Mandapam with a Peacock sculpture facing the temple. Next we can see the Pathinarukal (Sixteen leg) Mandapam which is situated at the joining of four streets. These two were built at the Nayakkar period.
Entrance – Asthanamandapam:
At the entrance of the Temple a big Asthana Mandapam which was built at the period of Ranimangammal, is having 48 pillars of beautiful, attractive architect sculptures engraved on it. In this Mandapam we can find the place of Karuppana samy koil, and in the pillars the sculpture of Pathrakali, Durgai, Narthana Vinayagar, Verrapaku and the wedding scene of God Muruga with Theivanai, Mahavishnu, Mahalakshmi etc.,
Threshold of Gopuram:
Mahamandapam:
Next to the Kambathadi Mandapam there is Maha Mandapam. In the western side of the Maha Mandapam there is Govarthanambigai individual temple. In the Maha Mandapam there are many Ursavamoorthies. In the eastern side of the mandapam God Arumugapperuamn Sannathi is there. Here the idol of Festival Peruman, statues of Sixty three Nayanmars, Nalvar (Four) statues. Senthilandavar statue and the statue of individual God Saneeswarar are find the place. Here specially there is no Navagrahas (Nine Planets). From the Kambathadi Mandapam there is a passage in the western side which leads to the Adivaram (foot of the mountain). At the time of festival this passage is used to take procession of God in the street.
Arthamandapam:
Next to Maha Mandapam in the southern side there is Arthamandapam having three entrances. In this mandapam God Parangirinathar is facing in the eastern side, God Karpaga Vinayagar, God Durgai (Kotravai) and God Muruga are facing Northern side and Pavazhakkanivai Perumal stands facing in the western side. The Moorthies in the five sanctum Sanctorum have made in a special Kadusarkaraipprayogam (gallnut and jaggery) process as mentioned in the Chirpa Sasthiram. Except God Muruga, there is no abishekam to other gods.
Regularly for God Muruga is being given massage by Punugu and other Gods with (thailakappu) oil massage.
Sanctum Sanctorum of God Muruga:
In the sanctum Sanctorum God Muruga is sitting in the blessing posture. In the western side of the God Muruga’s sanctum Sanctorum, in the left side Goddess Theivanai, in the right side Narathar are find the place. On the half upper side of statue of the God Muruga, Sun, Moon Goddess Gayathri, Savithri, Sithavidhiyatharar, Kalaimagar (Saraswathi), Brahma and Indiran are all witnessed there. Under that Andaparanar and Ukkiramoorthy along with Elephant, Peacock, Coat, Cock are witnessed there.
Sanctum Sanctorum of Goddess Durgai:
On the western side of the sanctum Sanctorum of God Muruga and in the center of the Artha Mandapam, the big statue of Goddess Duragai, posing on standing on the Makidasuran’s head. As seeing this we can think that this is the Durgai Amman Temple.
Karpagavinayagar:
Surrounded by Ganas (Bhoothakanangal, Lord servants) the followers of Deva’s chanting the musical instruments, Hanuman posing with supporting the Sancheevi mountain in the hand, God Karpagavinayagar poses sitting in the lotus flower. He has not having the Pasa Angusam in his hand. Methagam and sugarcane in his hand. That is the special power of this Moorthy.
Pavazhakkanivai Perumal:
On the eastern side of the Arthamandapam God Pavazhakkanivai Perumal sits with facing in the western side. On each side His consorts SriDevi and Bhoodevi and saint Mathangamunivar idols are there. Instead of Nandi opposite to God Siva, Perumal is there, he has the special name of Malvidai. We have to know that this kind of position is not anywhere.
Sathiagiriswarar:
On the western side Sathiagriswarar appeared facing in the east. Initially Tirupparankundram was a Siva Temple and the moolavar is God Siva. In this place God Siva is in the form of a mountain. The Almighty God Siva blessing in the form of kundur he has got the name of Parankundra Nathar and this sthalam is called Tirupparankundram. Of the fourteen Saiva sthalams in the Panidan Kingdom, this is considered as the first place. In the month of Ani and in the full moon day special poojas are held by offering Mukkani (mango, jack and Banana) in oblation. Somaskanthar idol is there. We particularly me
