Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple

A hill five miles southwest of Madurai, the fourth pilgrimage site of Muruga, is Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple. A cave temple which is dedicated to the element of earth and mentioned in various classical Tamil texts as the Southern Himalaya where the gods assemble. Tirupparankunram is also mentioned in legend as the place where the sun and moon abide. Murugan was married to Devasena upon the hill and for many centuries the Tamil people have considered it is the most auspicious place for their marriages. Especially during the time of the Pankuni Uttiram, the festival of marriage held in late March. Besides, the beautiful temple of Murugan on the hill and a Muslim shrine dedicated to Sekunder (al-Sikandar or Alexander the Great) who is associated with Murukan by the Muslim pilgrims are also here. Sikandar was a friend of Murugan at the time when Murugan was King.