Kallazhagar perumal kovil, Madurai

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Pandiya naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Kallazhagar or Sundararajar in standing posture and thayar is Sundaravalli thayar. The moolavar as well as the festival deity hold panchayuda meaning 5 types of weapons.

There are 18 steps to the temple from the main entrance and Karuppana swamy the god of the local tribes has as a small shrine here. However, the devotees are now not allowed to enter the temple from this entrance except for a few days in a year and have to use another big door. There are two forts surrounding the temple and the hill besides in the shape of a cow is called Vrishabhadri.

Every year, the Lord travels on Garuda vahanam to Madurai to give moksham to Mandaka Maharishi. On the way, the Lord takes the garland sent by Andal of Srivilliputtur at a temple on route. In return the Lord sends in his attire to Andal on her birthday in Tamil calendar's Aadi month. It is also believed that the Lord comes to Madurai to witness the marriage of his sister Meenakshi amman with Sundareswarar.

When Andal merged with Ranganatha perumal who appeared in the form of Azhagar, she was unable to fulfill her promise of giving Azhagar perumal 100 pots of butter and sweet rice. Later Ramanujar fulfilled this promise and Andal called out to him as annan and Ramanujar got the name of Kovil Annan.

It is believed that anyone who takes the divine water from Nupoora Gangai river at Azhagar kovil will be relieved of all sins.

How to reach

The temple is situated in the foothills of the Azhagar hills and around 20 kms from Madurai. Buses ply to the temple from Madurai and one can reach through autos also.

Temple tank and pushkarni

The temple tank is called Noopura ganga and vimanam is Somasundara vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 6 am to 12.30 pm and in the evenings from 3.30 pm to 8 pm.

Temples in proximity

Madurai Koodal Azhagar temple, Meenakshi amman temple, Thirumogur divyadesam

Pandiya naatu divyadesams Route map

There are in all 18 divyadesams in Pandiya naadu. The temples can be classified further into Madurai based divyadesams and Tirunelveli based divyadesams.

** Click on the image to enlarge it..The maps are just an indication and not to scale

** The temples with blue outline are divyadesams and those with red outlines are other interesting temples in the nearby area
** Click on the name of the temple for details about the temple, how to reach, timings and more..

1. Madurai based divyadesams

One can cover 8 divyadesams by staying at Madurai..the suggested routes are

Day 1 : Start with Koodal Azhagar temple within Madurai..move to Azhagar kovil and Thirumogur and finish in half day. Continue to Thirukoshtiyur and Thirumayam in the evening and return back to Madurai. (If time permits can cover Pilliyarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar temple and Ariyakudi Srinivasa perumal temple)

Day 2 : Visit Srivilliputtur and Thiruthankal by leaving early in the morning and return to Madurai. Proceed towards Rameshwaram and visit Sethu karai and Thirupullani temple. (If time permits visit Rameshwaram and Nava Bhasanam)

2. Tirunelveli based divyadesams (Suggested routes for 10 divyadesams)

Day 1 : Visit Nava tirupathis and Bhasyakarar temple near Alwar Thirunagari. Tiruchendur Murugan temple, Punniyakudi Srinivasa temple, Karungulam Venkatachalapati temple and Krishnapuram Venkateshwara temple can also be covered while coming back.

Day 2 : Visit Nanguneri/Vanamamalai and Thirukurungudi (3 temples -one main, second parkadal nambi temple nearby and third Malaimel nambi temple)..If time permits visit Ramanuja vattaparai. Evenings can be used for visiting Nelliappar temple in Tirunelveli town and other temples.

Sri Sathyagiri nathan perumal temple - Thirumayam

About the temple

This beautiful rock cut temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Pandiya naatu divyadesams. The temple is inside a huge fort and adjoining is the Sathyagiriswarar temple of Lord Shiva. The presiding deity is Sathyagiri nathan/Sathyamoorthy perumal with prayoga chakra and shanku in his hands and is swayambu moorthy. Adjoining it is the sannadhi for Meyyappar perumal who is lying on Adiseshan and gives darshan in sayana kolam. Meyyappar perumal is similar to Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam but is really huge in comparison. Also in the sannadhi are chitragupta, dharmaraj, brahma, several devas, rishis and asuras. Bhoomi devi thayar appears close to his feet. There is a seperate sannadhi for Ujjeevana thayar.

How to reach

Thirumayam is around 20 kms from Tirupattur and 15 kms from Pudukottai. The temple is about a km from the main Tirupattur - Pudukottai state highway. One can get down at Thirumayam bus stand and either walk down from there or take an auto. The nearest station is Thirumayam on the Karaikudi-Pudukottai route. Nearest airport is Madurai around 90 kms away.

One can stay at Pudukottai or Karaikudi as there arent any good lodging facilities here.

Sannadhis

Sathyamoorthy perumal

Meyyappar perumal

Ujjeevana thayar

Chakratazhwar

Lakshmi Narasimhar

Ramar, Sita, Lakshmana

Andal

Krishna

Anjaneya

Garuda

Vishwaksenar

Alwars Acharyas

Lot of nagars

Specialty of the temple

Adiseshan is said to have let off poisonous gas against the asuras and hence appears here in the same form.

Just next to the temple is that of Sathyagirishwarar- Lord Shiva and the girivalam is possible only if the two temples are combined.

There are lot of stone sculptures in the temples as in Mahabalipuram.

 

The idol of Thirumeyyar is probably the largest one in sleeping posture in India

 

Temple timings

 

The temple is open from 8 am to 12.30 noon and from 4.30 pm to 8 pm in the evenings.

 

Temples in proximity

 

Thirukosthiyur Sowmya narayana perumal temple, Pillaiyarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar temple

Sri Sowmya Narayana perumal temple, Thirukoshtiyur

About the temple

Sri Uraga Mellanayaan is the presiding deity of the temple and the moolavar gives darshan in sleeping posture. The utsavar is called Sri Sowmya Narayana perumal and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is Thirumagal nachiyar.

In the second tier, Upendra nathan gives darshan in Nindra kolam with periya piratti and bhoomi piratti. There is a beautiful painting of Indra loka in the background.

The presiding deity of the third tier is Sri Paravasudevan with Bhoo devi thayar.

Lord Narasimha also gives darshan in the temple in three forms - as Ugra Narasimhar, Yoga Narasimhar and Lakshmi Narasimhar.

Since Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva came together here as a koshti meaning group in tamil to decide about Narasimha avataram of Lord Vishnu, the place came to be known as Thirukoshtiyur -wherein thiru means three, kosthi means group and yur means place - the place where the three met as a group in tamil

Devotees can cover Thirukoshtiyur as well Thirumayyam divyadesams in half a day's trip.

How to reach

The temple is in Sivaganga district and around 10 kms from Tirupattur. The nearest railheads are Pudukottai, Madurai and Karaikudi. Lot of buses pass through Tirupattur and autos as well buses are available to the temple from there.

The nearest airport is Madurai -around 75 kms away.

Sannadhis

Perumal in three tiers

Ramanujar

Thirukoshtiyur Nambi

Shiva
Vinayagar
Senai Mudaliyandan

Alwars

Anjaneya

Nardhana Krishna with Rukmini and Sathyabhama

Thirumagal Thayar

Andal

Sudharsana/ Chakratalwar

Ramar 

Yoga Narasimhar
Lakshmi Narasimhar and Ugra Narasimhar in the praharam

Specialty of the temple

The Ashtanga vimanam of the temple is a rare one and such kind of vimanam is present in very few temples like Madurai Koodal Azhagar temple, Uttiramerur temple and Vaikunda perumal temple in Kanchipuram. The specialty is that the vimanam never casts shadows

Devotees can have darshan of the Lord as in all the lokas - Nardhana Krishna in Bhooloka -base tier, Sowmyanarayana perumal in Devaloka - first tier, Upendra narayana in Indraloka -second tier and Paramapadha nathan in Vaikuntam - third tier.

The place is also known for Ramanuja's preaching of Ashtakshara mantram from the top of the temple vimanam. After his pancha samaskaram at Madhurantakam, his guru asked him to visit Thirukosthiyur and learn the Asthakshara mantram from Thirukoshtiyur nambi. Ramanuja went to him and knocked at his door..When asked who it is, Ramanuja said, I have come Ramanuja..Thirukoshtiyur Nambi turned him back and the same thing happened 17 times. The 18th time, he said "Adiyen dasan Ramanujar" meaning your disciple and only then Thirukoshtiyur nambi came out and said now that your arrogance has gone we can talk. Ramanuja requests him to teach the Ashtakshara mantram to which Nambi says he would teach on the condition that Ramanuja wouldnt tell it to anyone else. After learning the mantra "Om namo narayana" Ramanuja went to the upper tier of the temple vimanam and called out to the people in the village to come out and hear the mantra. Thirukoshtiyur nambi got angry and said that if he revealed the mantra to others, he would go to hell. To this, Ramanuja replied that if he reveals, all the people hearing and chanting it will go to Vaikuntam and only he will go to hell and he prefers this rather than he alone going to Vaikuntam. Thirukoshtiyur Nambi realised his mistake and called him Emberumanar meaning my Lord. There is seperate sannadhis for Ramanujar and Thirukoshtiyur nambi in the temple. There is a statue of Ramanujar in the Ashtanga Vimanam at the place from where he preached the Ashtakshara mantram to the people of Thirukosthiyur.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

 Pillaiyarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar temple, Thirumayyam Sathyagirinathan temple

Sri Kaalamegha perumal, Thirumogur

About the temple

Kalamegha perumal kovil is among one of the pandiya naatu divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas. There are four prakarams to the temple. The moolavar is Kalaamegha perumal in nindra thirukolam and in same posture like Varadharaja perumal of kanchipuram with gadhe in left hand and right hand as if blessing the devotees. The utsavar is Thirumogur aapthan. The utsavar here is found with pancha aayudams. There are sculptures of Lord Kondanda Ramar, Sita, Lakshma, Kamadevan and Rathidevi in the Garuda mandapam of the temple.

The specialty of the temple is the presence of Chakratalwar with 16 hands and each hand holding a different weapon. There is Lord Narasimha behind chakratalwar with shanku chakra. There are 154 alphabets carved in the 6 circles and there are pictures of 48 gods. Chakratalwar is found in Prathyaaletha posture that implies that the readiness to help devotees at all times.
Pic source: Google
The place got its name as moghur due to the Mohini avatharam taken by Lord Vishnu to ensure that the devas got the amrutham that came out of the churning of the ocean rather than the asuras so that the devas get back the lost power. It is believed that a drop of amrutham fell into the temple tank and hence it is also known as periya thirupaarkadal and siriya thirupaarkadal.

There is one more perumal sannadhi with the lord giving darshan in Prathana Sayana thirukolam on adisheshan with Sridevi and Bhoomidevi thayaar praying at the Lord’s feet. An interesting feature is that adishesan has thanga kavacham and this form of the Lord was prior to the Lord taking Mohini avatharam.

How to reach

The temple is situated in Madurai district and is about 8 kms from Madurai. Buses plying on the Madurai-Melur route stop at Othakadai and from there one needs to take an auto or mini bus to reach the temple.

Nearest railhead and airport: Madurai

Sannadhis

Kalamegha perumal
Mohanavalli thayar (Meghavalli, Moghurvalli)
Aandal
Garuda
Krishna
Alwars
Hanuman

Pushkarni and Vimanam

The pushkarni is called Ksheerapthi pushkarni while the vimanam is Ketaki vimanam.

Temple Timings and Contact details

The temple is open in the mornings from 7 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 8 pm.

The contact person name is Sri Ramakrishna bhattachar and the phone number is 9842524325

Temples in proximity

Kal Azhagar, Thirukoodal azhagar, Madurai Meenakshi amman temple

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Thiru Koodal Azhagar Perumal Koil, Madurai

Ashtanga vimanam

About the temple and the Specialty of the temple

The temple is situated in the heart of Madurai city and is famous for several reasons. Firstly being the singing of Thirupallandu, which are the first 12 verses of the 4000 divyaprabadam, Periyalwar in praise of the splendor of Azhagar.

The Lord is found in three postures in three levels in the temple

1) In the lower portion of the temple, the lord appears as “Viyooga soundararajan” in sitting posture called veetriruntha thirukolam under Aadhiseshan
2) In the second portion the lord is in sleeping posture and known as Andhara Vaanathu Empiraan
3) In the final portion the lord appears as Sooriya Narayanan in nindra tirukolam or standing posture.

The temple rajagopuram is a key attraction with magnificent architectural works.


The prakarams have pictures of the presiding gods of all 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas.

How to reach

The temple is situated in Madurai district of Tamilnadu. It is close to the main bus stop and also the famous Meenakshi temple. Madurai is well connected by trains, buses and flights with major cities.

Nearest station and airport: Madurai

Sannadhis

 Thiru Koodal Azghagar
Maduravalli thayar (also known as varagunavalli, maragadha valli and vagulavalli)

Thayar Sannadhi

Andal
Navagrahas (only temple among 108 divyadesams with this sannadhi)
Lakshmi Narasimhar
Krishna
Rama
Acharyas

Pushkarni and Vimanam

The pushkarnis for the temple are Hema Pushkarni, Vaigai River, Chakkara Theertham and Kirutha Maala River

The temple vimanam is known as Ashtanga vimaanam.

Temple Timings and Contact Details

 The temple is open from 6 am to 12 noon in the morning and from 4 pm to 9 pm in the evenings.

The priest to be contacted is Sri. S. Narayana Bhattar (9344113169)

Temples in proximity

Kal Azhagar temple, Sri Kalamegha perumal -Thirumogur, Madurai Meenakshi amman temple

Search terms
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Aadi Jagannathan temple, Tirupullani

About the temple

Tirupullani Jagannatha temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas. Sri Kalyana Jagannathar is the presiding diety with his consorts Kalyanavalli thayar and Padmasini thayar. Since Vibeshanan fell at Sri Rama’s feet for complete saranagathi at this place after being thrown out by brother Ravana, it is also known as “Saranagathi Kshetram”.

Also, Samudhara rajan and his wife attained saranagathi at the same place. Sri Rama did fasting and penance on grass in Sayana kolam for seven days, the place got its name as Tirupullani meaning the place where the Lord’s bed was grass. Normally, the Lord appears in sayana kolam with the serpent bed. However, in this kshetram he is lying on pull which is grass in Tamil language. Close to Tirupullani at a distance of 4 kms is Sethu Karai or the shore. On the shore, there is a Anjeneyar temple.
How to reach

The temple is located in Ramanadhapuram district of Tamilnadu. A diversion from Ramanathapuram in the Madurai-Rameshwaram route to a distance of 10-12 kms leads to Tirupullani.

There are few accomodation facilities there like Andavan ashram and Ahobila mutt. It would be ideal to stay in Ramnad (Ramanathapuram)

Sannadhis

Kalyana Jagannatha Perumal
Kalyanavalli thayar
Padmasini thayar
Utsavar- Kothanda Rama with Sita, Lakshman and Anjeneya
Rama Pattabhisheka tirukolam
Santhana Gopal
Vedanta Desikar Sannadhi near the temple tank

Specialty of the temple

There are lot of Shiva Lingams beneath the Big banyan tree and it is believed that by offering Siva Lingam there, childless couples would be blessed with kids. Special poojas are also conducted near the Sethu and the temple. Also the Pal Payasam prasadam offered to god is also said to bless couples with children.

Pushkarni and Vimanam

The temple pond is known as Hema theertham, Rathnakara theertham and Chakkara theertham. The vimanam of the temple is Kalyana Vimanam.



Temple timing and Contact Details

The temple is open from 8am to 12.20 pm in the mornings and from 3.30pm to 8pm in the evenings.

The priest to be contacted is Sri. T. Seshadri (9842948390) or Sri. Ranganathar Bhattar (9942889763)

Temples in proximity

 Nava pashanam, Ramanathaswamy temple-Rameshwaram
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Vadabhatrasaai Perumal Koil, Srivilliputtur

About the temple

Sri Andal was found here in tulsi shrubs and Periyalwar was taking care of her. Periyalwar was dedicating flower garlands to Lord Rangammanar here. Once he happened to see Sri Andal wearing those garlands first before offering the lord and was very angry on this. He made a fresh garland for the lord and offered them. However, Lord Rangammanar didn’t accept them and said he would wear only those garlands which were first worn by Sri Andal. Thus, Sri Andal is also known as “Soodi Kudutha Sudar Kodi” or “Soodi Kudutha Nachiyaar”. Sri Andal was married to Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam here.

There are two floors in the Srivadabhadra saayi temple with Laxmi Narasimha, 12 alwars and dasavatharam in the ground floor and Lord Vadabhadra saayi in the upper floor.

How to reach
 The temple is close to Virudhnagar in Tamilnadu. Although Srivilliputtur station (on the Virudhnagar-Tenkasi route) is the nearest railway station to the temple, Madurai is well connected with other cities and so more accessible. The temple is about 70 kms from Madurai.

Nearest railhead: Madurai
Nearest Airport: Madurai

Sannadhis

Lord Vadabhatra saai
Lord Rangammanar (in kalyana thirukolam) with Sri Andal and Garudalwar
Laxmi Narayanan
Vijayalaxmi Thayar
Chakratalwar (holding 16 weapons) (Yoga Narasimhar at rear)
Namalwar
Ramanujacharya
Periyalwar
Laxmi Narasimhar
Varaha Perumal
Senai Muthalwar

Specialty of the temple

Sri villiputtur is the avathara sthalam of Sri Andal and Periyalwar.

Garudalwar is present here along with thayar near the lord which is unique in Vaishnava temples as normally garudalwar sannadhi is opposite the main sannadhi.

There is a nandhavanam where Sri Andal is said to have been found by Periyalwar.

The main gopuram is the second biggest in Asia, next only to Srirangam.

Pushkarni and Vimanam

The temple pond is known as Thirumukkulam and the vimanam is known as Samsana Vimanam.

Temple Timings and Contact Details
The temple is open from 6.30am to 12 noon in the mornings and from 4 pm to 9 pm in the evenings.

The person to the contacted is Sri Bala Mukunda Araiyar (94438 67345)

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Temples in proximity

Ninranarayana perumal - Thiruthankal

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Sri Ninranarayanan perumal koil, Thiruthankaal

About the temple

The temple is on a small hillock. The presiding deity is also known as Thiruthankaal appan. Tirumagal stayed at this place and hence the place got its name of Thiruthankaal meaning the place of stay.

How to reach

The temple is 68 kms from Madurai via virudhnagar and 23 kms from Srivilliputtur. There is a seperate Thiruthankaal station on Virudhnagar-Tenkasi route. However Madurai station is well connected with other cities by buses as well as trains. The temple is close to sivakasi (4 kms).

Nearest railhead: Madurai
Nearest Airport: Madurai

Sannadhis

Lord Ninra Narayana with consorts Sridevi (Anna nayaki), Bhoodevi (Amrutha nayaki), Neeladevi (Aanandha nayaki), Jambavathi
Sengamala thayar
Garudalwar and other alwars
Anjaneya
Chakratalwar
Ranganathar
Sri Andal
Ramanujar
Manavala mamunigal


Specialty of the temple

All the idols are painted except for sengamala thayar and hence thirumanjanam is done only for thayar that too with oil.

As compared to other divyadesams where thayar is in sitting position, in this divyadesam thayar is in standing position.

Garudalwar in this temple has four hands with snake in one hand, amruta kalasam that implies pot of nectar in one hand and the other two hands folded.

Pushkarni and Vimanam

The temple pond is known as paapa vinasa theertham and the vimanam is called devachandra vimanam. A bath in the pushkarni is said to fetch moksham for the devotees after death.

Temple timings and Contact Details

The temple is open from 6am to 12 noon in the mornings and from 4 pm to 8 pm in the evenings.



Temples in proximity

Vatabhadrasai temple - Srivilliputtur

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