Thirumaliruncholai Sri Kallazhagar (Azhagar malai) Temple, Madurai

Address

Thirumaliruncholai Sri Kallazhagar (Azhagar malai) Temple, Azhagar Kovil (Po.), Madurai (Dt). PIN – 625 301. Telephone Number 0452 – 2470228.

Diety

Kallazhagar, Paramaswamy, Sundararajar(Shiva) Amman: Kalyana Sundaravalli Thayar

Introduction

Azhagar kovil is a village in Madurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The history and living of the village is centered around Kallazhagar Temple. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Kallazhagar and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumamagal. Sanctified eternal lamp is ever burning in this shrine. The Azhagar Malai is none other than Dharma Devatha in the mountain form. This temple was built by the father of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Malaiyadhvaja Pandian and renovated by Pandya and Vijayanagara naickar Kings. Holy Water : Noobura Gangai, Chandrapushkarani, Garuda Theertham, Hanumar Theertham. Temple Tree : Sandalwood Tree

Puranic Significance

Once upon a time Yama Dharma Rajan (the Lord of death) came under a curse. To get relief, he offered penance at Virusuba Giri. The mountain consists of seven hills.Appreciating the penance of Dharma Raja, Perumal made his appearance. To honor the mercy shown to him by Perumal, Yama asked for a boon to offer pooja to Perumal once a day at least. Perumal granted it and even today the ‘Arthajama Pooja’(mid night pooja) is deemed to be performed by yama himself every day. In consonance with the wish of Dharma Raja for the welfare of all people the temple with the ‘Somachanda Vimana’ (circular in shape) was constructed. There are several festivals are conducted on this temple and the important one is ‘Chithirai Thiruvizha’. The mythological story behind the temple is once Lord Vishnu wanted to attend her sister’s (Goddess Meenakshi) marriage. When he was entering the Madurai city he was stopped by the flood in the Vaigai river. Before he could cross the floods and reach the marriage spot the marriage was completed. So he got angry and he didn’t enter further inside the Madurai and returned from Vaigai river itself. To represent this incident the Chithirai Thiruvizha of Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai river.

Special Features

Kallazhagar Temple covers an area of about 2 acres (0.81 hectares) and has a five-tiered gopuram (gateway tower). The temple in enclosed in a rectangular enclosure with huge granite walls. The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Sundarabahu Perumal in standing posture. The images of Sridevi and Bhudevi are also housed in the sanctum. There two life size images of Narasimha, the avatar of Vishnu. One of them is shown holding the demon Hiranya and other slaying him.

Festivals

In the month of April and may, each year the great Chitra festival is celebrated on Pournami (full moon day). The Festival dramatically re enacts the visitation of Lord Kallalagar to Madurai from Alagarkoil . Lakhs of devotees flock to river Vaigai to personally witness the event of lord Alagar stepping down into the river and to get his blessings.