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

Sri Parimala Ranganathar temple, Thiru Indaloor

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Choza naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Parimala Ranganathar and thayar is known as Parimala Ranganayaki in a seperate sannadhi. The utsavar is known as Maruviniya Maindan and the moolavar gives darshan in a reclining posture with four hands. Apart from the Lord, one can have darshan of Santhana krishna, Brahma, Adiseshan, Kaveri and Ganga in the main sanctum. There are very beautiful carvings on the pillars in the temple complex.

The temple is among the Pancharangam kshetrams- the others being Srirangam, Koviladi, Srirangapatna and Kumbakonam. Childless couples praying to Santhana krishna in this temple are said to be blessed with kids. Chandran- the moon god is said to have been relieved here of curses by praying to thayar and hence thayar is also known as Chandra sabavimochana valli.

Lord Parimala Ranganathar is said to have shut the doors once for Thirumangai azhwar saying he was late. After lot of arguments, when Thirumangai azhwar was about to leave the place as the Lord didnt give him darshan, the Lord convinced azhwar to sing praises of him. These are the paasurams by Thirumangai azhwar for the Lord here.

How to reach

The temple is situated just 2 kms from Mayavaram bus stand and is easily accessible through autos. Mayavaram is well connected by rail and road with important cities in India.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Indu pushkarni and vimanam is known as Vedachakra vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7.30 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 5 pm to 9.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

Vaideeswaran kovil, Thalaichanga nanmadhyam, Thiru sirupuliyur, Therazhandoor

Sri Devadirajan perumal temple, Therazhandoor

About the temple

The temples is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Choza naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity of the temple is Devadirajan perumal in standing posture and festival idol of the Lord is known as Aamaruviappan perumal. Besides the moolavar is Prahalada and Garudan in the same sannadhi which is an interesting feature as Garuda is besides the Lord in the sannadhi in very few temples-another one being Srivilliputtur. The utsavar Aamaruviappan gives darshan with cows around like he is grazing them. The moolavar stands tall and has a very majestic and inviting look.  Thayar in a seperate sannadhi is called Senkamalavalli thayar.

The temple is among the pancha krishnaranya kshetram, the others being Thirukannankudi, Thirukapisthalam, Thirukannapuram and Thirukannamangai. Therazhundur is the avathara sthalam of Kambar who wrote the Ramayana is tamil and there is a seperate temple for Kambar here.

Once Brahma brought the cows from Gokul to Thervazhandur when Lord Krishna was bathing in Yamuna. When Krishna realised this, the Lord again created the same number of cows in Gokul with his super powers. When Brahma came to know of his

mistake, he prayed to Lord Krishna to give him darshan at therazhandur and hence the Lord appears here as Aamaruviappan with cows besides him.

Once Lord Krishna had pierced the chariot of a king who had become arrogant due to some boon and the king's chariot got stuck at this place. Thus, the place got the name as Therazhundur where Ther refers to chariot in Tamil.

How to reach

The temple is around 12 kms from Mayavaram. There are buses directly from Mayavaram as well as Kumbakonam although frequency would be less.

Sannadhis

Devadirajan perumal

Sengamalavalli thayar

Andal

Alwars and acharyas

Ramar

Yoga Narasimha

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Darshana pushkarni and vimanam is known as Garuda vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7.30 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thiru Indaloor, Thiru Sirupuliyur