Saturday, September 8, 2012

Tiruparankundram - One among the Six abodes of Lord Muruga



The Subramaniam temple at Tirupparunkunram situated six miles south of Madurai is an ancient shrine dating back to the 2nd century BC. According to legend it was here that Lord Muruga wed Teyvayanai, daughter of Indra, after his victory over Soorapadman and the asuras. The temple built on the northern side of the hill at an elevation of about 300 feet from the foot of the hill has a 150 foot tall gopuram of seven tiers over its entrance. The main sanctum carved into the rock enshrines a well chiselled form of the Lord. Also hollowed within the rock are many mandapams with carved pillars, platforms, and other shrines with decorative relief and carvings on all surfaces. All abishekams are performed to the Vel in the main sanctum. At the summit of the hill is a shrine dedicated to Kasi Visvanathar, beside which is a statue of the poet Nakeerar in an attitude of great reverence.

Tiruparankundram dhargah on the hills - History :

The Thiruparankundram Dargah is located at the top of the Thirupparamkundram hill. It is a famous Islamic dargah (shrine), where the grave of an Islamic saint Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badushah shaheed Radiyallah Ta'al anhu is located. It can be seen from any part of the Madurai city.



History of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha Shaheed Razi

Sikandhar Badusha, who was the governor of Jeddah came along with Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badushah who came to Tamil Nadu in particular Ervadi from Madinah during the late 12th century.[1]


Sikandhar Badhusha's rule in Madurai

Badusha Sulthan Syed Ibrahim shaheed LABSWH of Erwadi won the Madurai province against the king thiru Pandiyan who refused to embrace Islam and made Hazrat Sulthan Iskandhar Badusha as the emperor of Madurai.The rule of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandar badusha was peaceful and people were happy with the way Hazrat ruled in the basics of sharia. King Tiru pandiyan who was defeated, went to Tirupati, met all his friends and briefed about the invasion of the arabs. They helped him with formation of large troop.

War after Tirupandiyan's return

After forming a big and healthy troop to face the Arabs, King Vira(Thirup)Pandiyan started towards madurai. The emperor of madurai Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha, who was unaware about this secret turn around of Veerapandiyan, concentrated in flourishing Islam and in the welfare of the people rather than strengthening the army. Tiruppandiyan who came with a strong army fought with Hazrath Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha Razi vigorously. Thousands of soldiers were killed both the sides and blood rivers flew in madurai. The poet of sangam era describes as the biggest ever war held in the Pandiya kingdom. 


The Arabs were in need of more troops to face the Pandiyas. Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha sent 9 of his soldiers to inform Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed the emperor of Bouthiramanikkapattinam (now Erwadi) to inform about the war and the need of more troops. Afraid of more soldiers arriving from Ervadi, king Vira(Thiru)pandiyan sent a large number of his soldiers to stop the 9 Arabian soldiers who were travelling towards Erwadi. Hazrat Syed Salaar Sha Shaheed razi was martyred at Palli chandai near Keeladi Silaiman and Hazrat Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Razi at Karseri near Sakkimangalam. The remaining 7 soldiers fought bravely and continued their journey towards ervadi. 

Again a large group of Pandiyan soldiers followed them up and a rigorous war held at Manamadurai in which five of the Arabian soldiers called as Khamsatu (Five) Shuhadaas (Anjanamaar - Paanch Peer) were martyred. The remaining two soldiers travelled hard to convey the message to the Emperor of Erwadi. Hazrat Umar Khattab Shaheed Razi was martyred at Kilavaneri near Meesal. The only soldier who was alive was injured brutally by the Pandiyas. But somehow He managed to reach Bouthiramanikkapattanam and conveyed the message of Thiuppandiyan's invasion back to Madurai. Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Badusha was saddened by this and sent a large troop towards madurai. Before the troop could reach madurai, the tough war at madurai came to end and virapandiyan captured the throne back.



Martyrdom at Thiruparankundram hills

Hazrath Sulthan Sikkandhar Badhusha Shaheed rested at Thiruparankundram caves for prayers and peace. Even after capturing the throne, king Thiruppandiyan was afraid of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badusha and the arabian forces surging back. So he was in search of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha shaheed. Thousands of soldiers were sent in search, and finally they could see a rock flying up and settling down regularly in the Thirupparagundram hill and when they followed that, they saw an arabian horse at the top of the hill which they confirmed to be of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha. A few soldiers reached the cave where they found the rock to fly up while Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar badhusha stood for prayers and settle down when He was prostrating. One of the mal'oon from the soldiers of pandiya martyred Hazrat Sulathan Sikandhar Badhusha Shaheed Raziyallah ta'ala anhu during His prostration in prayers while He was keen in praying Allah the Emperor of Emperors.

Everlasting Miracles

Immediately the Pandiya soldier[citation needed] turned blind. Realising this to be the Miracle (Karamat) of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha radiyallahu anhu, he begged and lamented for forgiveness and they intended to do funeral. Accepting their forgiveness Hazrat Mustajab Ad Dua Sikandhar Badhusha prayed and gave back his vision. As intended, they did the funeral of Holy Jasada Mubarak at the top of the hill as per Islamic regulations. A big rock flew and covered the Qabr of Hazrat Sulthan Iskandhar badusha. There are other millions of miracles Karaamaat of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha radiyallahu anhu happening day to day in the Dargha and other the locations.


Thiruparankundram Dargah-A site of Religious Harmony today


Irrespective of religion, people from all parts of Tamil Nadu and from Kerala visit this durgah. People who visit the Ervadi Durgah in Ramanathapuram district are supposed to visit this durgah. Many poems are written in praise of Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha, by Syed Abdussalam Ibrahim Saalim Madurai Maqbara Hazrat,the third in the list of Madurai Hazrats and his Matrnal grandson Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Saahib Hazrat. It is seen that people who come here with a wish see it answered in a very short time, and so He is called Mustajab ad Du'aa Sikandhar Badhushah. Mustajab Ad Du'aa in Arabic translates as, A saint whose Prayers are immediately answered by Allah.

Urus Santhanakoodu Festival
The Anniversary Urs festival of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandar Badusha Shaheed is commomerated on the 17th night of the Islamic Month of Rajab every Hijri year. Thousands of people visit the dargah at the hill top on this day. Lot of arrangements are made by the Dargah committee and the local Police for the welfare of the pilgrims.



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