"Holy Wedding Festival, Thiruparakundram"

The Arulmigu Thiruparakundram Murugan Temple is, among the most popular religious shrines and is also revered as one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan known as Arupadaiveedu. The temple was constructed during the Pandyan dynasty in the eighth century. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Murugan and the shrine also consists of separate sanctuaries for Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga, and Lord Vinayaka. The temple is praised for its unique character as the idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu face each other. Every year, during the Tamil month of Panguni(between the months of April and May), the temple celebrates a grand 15-day festival on the occasion of “Thirukalyanam”(a holy wedding). On the first day of the festival, a holy flag is hoisted marking the commencement of the festival. The “Utsava Moorthy” is taken in procession all around the temple with thousands of devotees parading along the procession. On the final day of the festival the idols of Lord Murugan and his consort, Goddess Devanai are rested upon a holy swing revered as “Thiru Oonjal” to honour the holy wedding of the celestial beings. During this festival, married women change their nuptial threads” Thaali” and it is also believed that unmarried women seeking the blessings of the holy wed God and Goddess will bring them a right match for marriage. Every year, lakhs of devotees throng at this temple to witness the marvellous holy wedding of the celestial beings!