Sri Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple – Madurai

Sri Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple is located in Madurai of Tamilnadu State.

Sri Koodal Azhagar is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is facing the east direction

Goddess Madhuravalli is the consort of Koodal Azhagar facing the south.

It is one of the 108 Divyadesam temples.

Koodal is another name for Madurai and Azhaghar means the beautiful one, in Tamil. The temple is facing East direction and built in Dravidian style of architecture has a giant gateway tower, a five-tiered Raja gopuram that rises to a height of 125 Feet. The temple and all its shrines are surrounded by granite walls. The coronation of Lord Rama is depicted here with woodcarvings. Intricately woven and masterfully sculpted, every wall in the temple has a story to tell. Inscriptions in the temple describe the huge amount of gifts and donations this shrine used to receive for various constructions during various rules. There is a mandapam named as Ardha mandapa. The koneru named Hema pushkarini, Chakra theertham.

 

According to a legend, Vishnuchitha who is considered to be the foremost among the twelve Alwars, mystical saints, who used to praise Lord Vishnu's presence in the temple in their poems. Vishnuchitha was known for quoting from Vedic texts and his arguments on the sovereignty of Lord Narayana. Once he was invited to Madurai at the Pandya king's court where he established the greatness of the lord through his convincing arguments, after which a miracle happened which even made the king celebrate his divine victory. During the victory procession which was led by the king himself and many Vedic saints, Sri Koodal Alagar appeared and blessed Vishnuchitha, who then sang Thirupallandu in the lord’s praise and offered Mangala sasanam. Even today, Thirupallandu is chanted in the temples.

 

There are mentions of Koodal Alagar in Brahmanda Purana in its seven chapters. It is also said that the great King Prithu, Malaydioaja had worshipped Sri Koodal Alagar. As a result of which, the lord blessed them with opulence along with the attainment of moksha. The history of this temple can be traced back to the Sangam period. One can find mention of Koodal Azhagar Koil in Paripadal and Silappadikaram. Many poets from the Sangam period have praised the presiding deity of this temple with the name of Thuvarikoman and Koodal Alagar.

 

This temple was built during the 8^th century.

The annual Great Chitra Festival is held on Pournami (a full moon day) throughout April and May. The Festival dramatizes the journey of Kallalagar from Alagar Koyil to Madurai. Numerous thousands of followers come to the Vaigai River to see Lord Alagar enter the water and receive his blessings.

 

The festival of Aadi Brahmmorchavam is observed for ten days in July and August. Within the boundaries of the temple, this event takes place. Many devotees go from various regions of Tamil Nadu to participate in this event. During Pournami (Full-Moon Day) of Aadi (Brahmotchavam), the temple chariot "Amaiththa Narayanan" is carried in procession.

Temple Timings

6.00 am to 12.30 pm

3.30 pm to 8.00 pm 

How to reach the Temple

700 mts from Madurai Bus Station

1 km from Madurai Railway Station

Nearby Temples

Madurai, Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple – 1 km

Thiruparankundram, Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple – 7 km

Otthakadai, Sri Yoga Narasinga Perumal Temple – 12 km

Madurai, Sri Kallalagar Temple – 23 km.