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
This temple is a beautiful surrounding, enveloped by the green hills, have visited quite number of times as this is near to my place
ReplyDeleteThere are as many as 128 verses sung by Perialwar, Andal, Tirumangaialwar, Bhootattalwar, Peyalwar and Nammalwar on Maalairuncholai. Kallazhagar is enshrined at Azhagar Koyil, and Srivilliputtur enshrines Kattazhagar, while Madurai enshrines Koodalazhagar. The sangam period tamil work speaks of theis hill and the springs in its environs.
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