Thiruparankundram

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Tirupparankundram (Tamil: திருப்பரங்குன்றம் Tirupparaṅkuṉṟam [ t̪iɾɯp aɾʌŋɡundrʌm ː ]; well Thirupparankundram, Tiruparankundram, Tirupparangundram ) is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu with around 49,000 inhabitants ( 2011 census ). Tirupparankundram is an important pilgrimage of the popular in Tamil Nadu Hindu God Murugan.

Geography

Tirupparankundram is located in the district of Madurai in southern Tamil Nadu, directly southwest of the city Madurai. From the city center Madurais after Tirupparankundram is eight kilometers away. In Tirupparankundram rises from the otherwise flat surrounding a 320 meter high steep rocks.

Tirupparankundram is connected by city buses with the nearby Madurai, from where there are transport links to all major cities of Tamil Nadu and beyond. In addition Tirupparankundram has its own railway station on the railway from Madurai to Kanyakumari.

Religious significance

On the steep rock that rises above Tirupparankundram, a temple for the Hindu god Murugan is ( Skanda ). During this God in the religious practice of North India plays virtually no role, he is under the name Murugan among the Tamils ​​of the most popular deities. Tirupparankundram is one of six places of pilgrimage ( Arupadaividu ) in Tamil Nadu, which are dedicated to Lord Murugan. The six places of pilgrimage are associated with different aspects of mythology Murugan. Tirupparankundram is the myth according to the place where his companion Devasena married at the Murugan.

In addition to the Murugan shrine of the mountain is home to a Muslim shrine to the Sufi saint Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badshah, who is said to have suffered martyrdom here in 1211. The Sikandar Shrine of Tirupparankundram is frequented by both Muslims and Hindus, perhaps because the name Sikandar ( the Muslim name for Alexander ) with Skanda, so Murugan, is associated.