DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Pandiya Naadu |
Pandiya Naadu | 14thVishnuSthalam |
Alagarkoil
is one of the important Vaishnava temples in Tamilnadu. It stand close under
the southern end of the hill called Alagar Malai or Thirumalirumcholai Malai
which runs about 15 miles from east to west. Alagar Malai is about 12 miles
north east of Madurai city. Alagarkopil temple is situated 888 feet above se
level and lies on latitutde 10.5 and longitude 78.14.
Alagarkoil temple is situated at the foot hills of AlagarMalai. The temple Lord
Alagar is facing east. It is surrounded by two fortified walls. As many as 6
Azhvaars have showered praise on the Lord at Thirumaaliruncholai, popularly
known as Azhagar Koil with over a 100 beautiful Paasurams. This temple dates
back to the times of Kalai Thunga Pandya and hence is said to be over 5000
years old. In centuries gone by, the direction to this place was identified as
being 150 kms South of Cauvery and about 150 kms East of Palani Hills. Situated
at the foot of the Azhagar hills, that runs almost 15 kms in width and over a
1000 feet in height, Azhagar Koil is about 20kms North of Madurai. Frequent
buses ply between Madurai and Azhagar Koil. One can also take an auto to this
temple from Madurai Railway Station. The road has been well laid out and one
can reach Azhagar Koil in about 30-45 minutes.
A
4 km walk up the Azhagar hills (dense terrain) will take one to Silambaaru
water falls (Nupoora Gangai), where one can have a bath in the sacred water.
There is also a road route available now, up the hill. It is believed that
drops of sacred water fell at this place when Brahmma was washing Lord Vishnu’s
feet after his Trivikrama Avataar. And that these drops spread as River Nupoora
Gangai. To this day, the sacred water from Silambaru is used for the daily
poojas. Legend has it that one who has the sacred water at Azhagar Koil will be
cleansed of all sins.
Malaiyath
Thuvaja Pandya, one of the earliest of the Pandya kings led the
construction/renovation of this temple. Following him, several Pandya Kings are
said to have built the fort structure as well as maintained and renovated the
Azhagar Koil. Chozha, Vijayanagara and Nayak rulers are also said to have
contributed to this temple.
Krishnadeva
Raaya, whose intent it was to build huge temple towers at Vaishnavaite temples,
also started the construction of a big temple tower at Azhagar Koil. As with
sevaral other temple towers, his defeat left this tower too unfinished. The
temple tower is called Raya Gopuram or Mottai Gopuram (having remained
unfinished).
Every
year in the Tamil month of Chitirai, Azhagar is taken on his Garuda Vaahanam on
a 20 km procession. He is said to go to the Vaigai in Madurai to provide
Moksham to Mandaka MahaRishi. During this trip, he stops at different places
along the way, with the Maduraites welcoming him into the city.
On the way to the Vaigai River, KallAzhagar makes an important stop at
Thallaakulam Perumal koil to collect the garland sent by Andaal of
Srivilliputhur. Only after wearing this, does Azhagar get into the Vaigai
River. During the Aadi Thiruvadi Pooram festival, marking the birthday of
Andaal, Lord Azhagar sends his attire to Srivilliputhur as a ‘return gesture’
to her.
In
course of time, Thirumalai Naayakar, the then ruler of the Pandya Kingdom
decided to combine this festival with the Meenakshi Amman festival to make it
the biggest festival of Madurai. The belief is that KallAzhagar makes it to
Madurai to witness the wedding of his sister Meenakshi(Amman). This is yet
another case of the Unity between Saivites and Vaishnavites.
Once
there was an attempt to take away the idol of KallAzhagar. A priest at this
temple put together a team and captured the 18 men who had come there to steal
the idol. These 18 men were so lured by the beauty of Azhagar that they prayed
to the Lord and requested that they stay here for ever. It is believed that
each of these 18 men have taken a step each and now reside in the 18 steps of
the temple at the main Eastern entrance.
Realising
their mistake, they sought to act as security guards of the Lord and solve any
issues relating to the people. Hence, KaruppannaSwamy almost acts as a court to
solve all issues in this area and is said to provide a fair judgment for those
who believe in him.
As
a mark of this event, there is an image of ‘Karuppanna Swamy’ (the
representative of these 18 men) at the main entrance. This main Eastern
Entrance remains closed through the year except for 9 days in the Tamil month
of Aadi and one can get inside the temple through the North East entrance.
Every night, during the pooja time, the flowers adorned by the Lord is brought
to Karuppana Swamy.
Andaal
and her father PeriAzhvaar are said to have come here from Srivilliputhur and
legend has it that Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam appeared before Andaal as
Azhagar and married her. Andaal who had promised to provide Azhagar with 100
pots of sweet morsel and butter could not do so as she merged with Lord
Ranganatha. Much later, Ramanuja fulfilled her promise by providing the Lord
with the morsel and butter. As a thanking gesture, Andaal is said to have
called him ‘Annan’, as a result of which Ramanuja came to be called ‘Kovil
Annan’.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Azhagar Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Sundaravalli |
|
Theertham |
Noopura Gangai And Silambaaru Theertham |
Praying here lord gives
growth in agriculture, wealth in business, new business and grants rain.
Every
year during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May), Chithirai Thiruvizha is celebrated. Chithirai Thiruvizha is an yearly event
of the marriage of Meenakshi, believed to be Azhagar's
sister. The first 15 days of the event is celebrated in Madurai for
the arrangements between Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, while the next 15 days is
about Azhagar making preparations for her marriage. The main event is
Kallazhagar crossing the Vaigai river. Millions of people gather in Madurai to
witness this event. While Kallazhagar enters the river, he comes to know that
his sister's marriage is already over, he returns to Karuparayar Mandapam and
then he takes ten avatars and finally returns to Azhagar Kovil. This
temple obtained a new Car,
after 300 years, built with a team of 15 artisans using vengai tree
wood for the structure and Burma teakwood for sculptures. The trial run was
held on 6 July 2015.
HOW
TO REACH:
The
temple is situated in Madurai district of Tamilnadu. City bus service is
available from Madurai, Natham, Melur and Vadipatti. Bus No. 844,845.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Kallazhagar Perumal
Thirukkovil,
Madurai,
Tamil Nadu - 625301.
LOCATION:
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