Arulmigu Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram, is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to the god Murugan (Kartikeya) located in Thiruparankundram, Tamil Nadu, India. Known as one of the "First Houses of Murugan," this ancient temple features remarkable rock-cut architecture believed to have been constructed by the Pandyas in the 6th century. According to legend, Murugan defeated the demon Surapadman and married his consort, Devasena, at this sacred site, making it significant in Hindu mythology.
Situated just 8 kilometers from Madurai, the temple houses not only Murugan but also deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, Vinayaka (Ganesha), and Durga. Following the Shaiva tradition of worship, the temple conducts six daily rituals and celebrates three major yearly festivals, with the Kantha Sashti festival in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November) being the most prominent. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, ensuring its preservation and continued significance.
The temple's legends are enriched by references in the Skanda Puranam, which recount the slaying of Surapadman by Murugan. This demon king, having received boons from Shiva, ruled ruthlessly, capturing Indra and troubling the devas. Murugan intervened, battling Surapadman and ultimately vanquishing him, splitting his form into a peacock and a rooster. This day of victory is celebrated as Skanda Sashti across all Murugan temples, highlighting Murugan's role as the protector of the gods.
Historically, inscriptions suggest that the site was originally a Jain cave before being transformed into a Murugan temple. The transition occurred under Pandya King Koon Pandiyan, who invited Jain monks to establish a shrine. Later, during the 8th century, Gajapathy, a minister to a subsequent Pandya king, facilitated its conversion into a Hindu temple. Significant expansions and enhancements were made during the reign of the Madurai Nayaks, resulting in the temple’s current grandeur, maintained by the Tamil Nadu government's department.