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| Thiruparankundram Murugan temple, data.agatetravel.com |
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| Thiruparankundram Murugan temple, Madurai asatish.com |
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| Interior, prakara Thiruparankundram Murugan temple, Madurai |
Above image: Thiruparankundram Murugan templw, about 10 km from Madurai city is a historical temple. Inscriptional and historical evidences prove the temple is carved out of the granite hill, and probably earlier was a Jain cave. It is also said that the 6th century, Murugan temple (built by Koon Pandyan) was converted by Jain monks into a Jain worship center and later in the 8th century, it was reconverted into the Hindu temple. There were several additions in the temple such as pillared halls known as Mandapas in 16th -17th century during the regime of Madurai Nayaks. The shrine of Kashi Vishwanath is at the back atop of 1,050 ft tall granite hill
Historical Significance
Thiruparankundram Hill, located near Madurai city, Tamil Nadu, is one of the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan (God Kathikaya). This ancient hill temple, mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature, has been a revered pilgrimage site for Hindus for centuries. The temple is believed to be the site where Lord Murugan married Deivanai, the daughter of Indra, the king of the Devas. The hill also contains Jain caves, indicating its religious significance dating back to the pre-Christian era.
Presence of the Sikandar Badusha Dargah
In addition to its Hindu heritage, Thiruparankundram Hill houses the Sikandar Badusha Dargah, a Sufi shrine associated with the 13th-century Muslim saint Sikandar Badusha. Over time, the dargah has become a pilgrimage site for both Muslims and Hindus, symbolizing syncretic traditions. The shrine, located near the Murugan temple, has historically coexisted with the temple.
Contemporary Controversy
Recently, the hill has become a focal point of religious and political tensions. Hindu groups have raised concerns over alleged encroachments by the dargah and the conduct of Islamic rituals, particularly the slaughter of animals, on the sacred hill. A petition was filed in January 2025, seeking a ban on animal sacrifices at the dargah, arguing that such practices disturb the sanctity of the site. Tension has simmered for a couple of weeks at the Tirupparankundram temple, amid claims of consumption of non-vegetarian food at the nearby ''Sulthan Sikkandhar Avulia Dargah''.
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| Controversial meat eating on the sacred hill, Madurai .thenewsminute.com |
Responding to the claims, Muslim groups have insisted on their right to perform traditional rituals at the dargah, emphasizing its centuries-old presence. The controversy became a serious one when photos appeared in the social media showing the Ramanathapuram MP Navas Kani (January 22, 2025) was provoking Hindus and threatening communal harmony by having non-vegetarian food. Additional photos showed some people eating meat near the Durgah, wantonly hurting the sentiments of the devout Hindus. This was done, it is said, the police did not allow them to do so. Protests erupted when authorities restricted animal sacrifices, leading to the imposition of Section 144 in Madurai to prevent communal clashes.
At the trial court, the temple claimed the whole hill, except “certain cultivated and assessed lands and the site of the mosque”. In 1923, the Subordinate Judge of Madura decided in favour of the temple, “except in respect of the Nellitope, and the actual site of the mosque with its flagstaff and flight of steps leading up to it”. Privy Council in 1931 upheld the ruling
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| temple and Durgah on the sacred hill, Madurai, news9live.com |
Political and Legal Developments
The Tamil Nadu government has faced pressure from both sides to address the situation. Hindu organizations such as Hindu Munnani have called for mass protests to protect the temple’s sanctity, while leaders from the Muslim community have sought legal intervention to continue religious practices at the dargah. The issue has sparked debates over religious freedoms, heritage preservation, and communal harmony.
The controversy echoes broader disputes in India regarding the historical claims over religious sites. Some Hindu activists have compared Thiruparankundram to Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kashi, demanding the removal of non-Hindu religious structures from what they consider to be Hindu holy sites.
Conclusion
Thiruparankundram Hill remains a revered site for both Hindu and Muslim devotees. The challenge lies in balancing religious traditions while maintaining communal harmony. As legal battles and protests continue, the future of Thiruparankundram will likely be shaped by court rulings and government policies aimed at preserving its historical and religious significance.
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