Kallazhagar / Kallalagar Temple – Alagar Koyil, Madurai – Best And Famous Lord Vishnu Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide, Timings, History, Chithirai Thiruvizha festival – Video (Updated)
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Recently visited Kallazhagar Temple in Alagar Koyil / Azhagar koil village, Madurai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who takes the avatar as Goddess Meenakshi’s brother, Kallazhagar (Sundararajar). It is one of 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Kallazhagar and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumamagal.
History of Kallazhagar Temple in Alagar Koyil / Azhagar koil village, Madurai:
Lord Kallazhagar is said to have flown on a golden horse to attend his sister Goddess Meenakshi’s Celestial Wedding, stopping at temples along the way to bless devotees.
Regrettably, he is late and thus delays the wedding. To appease him, Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva meet him at the Vaigai River. In his fury, he gets into the river to give them his gifts and then goes back home without visiting Madurai.
Each year the world-famous Chithirai Thiruvizha of Kallazhagar enters the Vaigai River to reflect this incident.
Significance of Kallazhagar Temple in Alagar Koyil / Azhagar koil village, Madurai:
Azhagar Kovil is a temple is located at the foothills of Alagar hills’. This hill is named Alagar since Lord Thirumal – Lord Vishnu is known in this area by the name Alagar, so the hills are named after him. The Azhagar Malai is none other than Dharma Devatha in the mountain form. The Thaayar is Sundaravalli. She has her own Sannadhi in this temple.
Kallazhagar Temple in Alagar Koyil / Azhagar koyil village, Madurai was built by the Malaiyadhvaja Pandian, who is the father of Madurai Meenakshi Amman, and renovated by great Pandya and great Vijayanagara nayakkar Kings. This temple has a prominent place during the Pandyan reign.
During King Thirumalai Naickar’s reign, many artistic features were added to this temple. The temple’s kalyan mandapam, in particular, showcases marvelous Nayaka sculpture architecture.
Lord Paramaswamy is the chief deity of the Alagar Kovil temple. Lord Alagar or Sundararajan, Goddess Meenakshi’s brother, is the temple’s professional idol. The Moolavar Azhagar is in a standing posture facing east.
Azhagar is considered to be the favorite deity god of most of the people in this region. Both the Moolavar and Urchavar are found along with the Panja Ayudhams which means 5 weapons namely the Sangu, Chakkaram, Sword, Bow, and Gadha, in their hands.
The Yama Dharma Raja – the Lord of death was cursed, and got relief when he offered penance at Virusuba Giri . The mountain consists of seven hills. The hill nearby resembles the shape of a cow, and hence the name Vrishabhadri – Virusuba Giri.
Perumal made his entrance, appreciating Dharma Raja’s penance. Yama requested a boon to perform pooja for Perumal at least once a day. Perumal agreed, and the “Arthajama Pooja” – the midnight pooja is still said to be performed every day by Yama himself. The temple with the “Somachanda Vimana” – which is circular in shape was built in accordance with Dharma Raja’s wish for the welfare of the world.
There are shrines to the Lord Valampuri Vinayakar and Goddess Saraswathi in the temple and also there are shrines to Lord Yoga Narasimhar, Lord Karuppannaswami, and Goddess Raakkaayee Amman. Lord Narasimha, Lord Krishna, Manmathan, Rathi on a parrot, and Lord Vishnu on Garuda are a few of the Gods whose sculptures are some of the marvelous architectural beauty at this temple.
The Vimanam – the tower above the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Kallazhagar Perumal Temple is called “Somasundara Vimaanam”. Lord Shiva assumes the form of Lord Somasundarar in order to marry Goddess Meenakshi Amman.
The devotional poems of the Tamil Siddhar – Bhoga Siddhar describe the azhagar malai hill and refer to the 18 steps Karuppannaswamy. The shrine of protecting Lord Karuppu Swamy is housed in the Main Gopuram – gateway tower, which is only opened once a year for the worship of Lord Vishnu’s holy chariot, Sudarshana Chakra.
There are approximately 123 hymns that depict the magnificence of this temple. This temple and its greatness are also mentioned in epics like Silappathikaram.
The great Vishnu devotees – Thirumangai Alvar, Peri Alvar, Nammalvar, Bhoothathalvar, Peyalwar, and Andal have all written songs about the shrine’s glorious past. Garudalwar, who is the Ramanuja’s chief disciple, is said to have recovered his sight by worshipping the deity here.
Noopura Ganga, which is believed to have fallen directly from heaven, is visited by almost every devotee. This temple’s specialty is Vibhuti – Tiruneeru Prasadam, which is usually not available in Vaishnava temples and is only available in Shiva temples.
Chithirai Thiruvizha festival in Kallazhagar Temple in Alagar Koyil / Azhagar koil village, Madurai:
Chithirai Thiruvizha is one of the most famous festivals in the Madurai region. It’s also one of the longest celebrations in the world and lasts for one month. The first 15 days of the festival are celebrated for Goddess Meenakshi, and the next 15 days are celebrated for Lord Alagar.
There are two aspects of the festival. The first section takes place at Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple, culminating in a chariot parade of newlywed deities in the streets surrounding the temple – which is known as the Masi streets in Madurai.
The setting then moves to the area around Kallazhagar Temple in the Azhagar / Alagar Hills near Madurai, where Lord Vishnu, as Goddess Meenakshi’s older brother Lord Kallazhagar, presides.
On the full moon day of the Tamil month Chithirai (during April – May), more than ten lakh devotees attend the grand ceremony of Lord Kallazhagar entering Vaigai.
On the fourth day, Azhagar is moved to Madurai, where he resides on the banks of the Vaigai river for five days and then returns. People of Madurai provide a grand welcome to Kallazhagar as part of the festival.
When Alagar returns, Vandiyur Dasavatharam festival is celebrated throughout the night at Ramarayar Mandapam in the Northern part of Vaigai River. The next morning Alagar in the form of Kallar returns to Alagar kovil.
Other Festival in Kallazhagar Temple in Alagar Koyil: Tirukkalyanam is celebrated in the month of Pankuni, when Sri Devi, Bhu Devi, Kalyana Sundaravalli, and Andal are seen with Vishnu. In Dwadasi in the bright half of Aippasi Tamil month, Azhagar is given a ritual bath in Noopura Ganga.
Kallazhagar – Chithirai Thiruvizha / Madurai Temple Festival in 2023 Video:
Chithirai Thiruvizha in 2021:
Due to covid pandemic situations, devotees are not allowed “Ethir sevai” of Lord Kallazhagar is streamed live online on the temple’s official YouTube channel – Arulmigu Kallalagar Thirukkoil, Alagarkoil. “Ethir Sevai” festival is celebrated on the day before Alagar steps into the river Vaigai.
This temple is nearby to the famous Pazhamudircholai / Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple.
Travel Guide to visit Kallazhagar / Kallalagar Temple – Alagar Koyil, Madurai
Address: A.Valayapatti, Tamil Nadu 624401
Phone: 0452 247 0228
Entry Fee: Free
Kallazhagar Temple Timings: 6:00 AM To 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM To 8:00 PM
Moolavar: Kallazhagar
Amman/Thayar: Thirumamagal
Theertham / Holy Water: Noopura Gangai
Sthala Viruksham – the Holy Tree: Sandalwood Tree – Sandhana Maram
How to Reach Kallazhagar / Kallalagar Temple – Alagar Koyil, Madurai:
On-Road: It’s an “Outer” RoadCircle of Madurai District Bus Root. Twenty-two kilometers. Town buses are available from the Periyar bus stand and Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus. Government buses available every 15 mins. Traveling time just 40 mins. Ticket charges around 19 INR/head.
We Can also hire a car to the Temple takes around 40 to 45 Mins to reach.
Nearest Airport: Madurai International Airport ( Code IXM). We can hire a cab or buses from the airport takes around 1 hour to reach the Temple.
Nearest Railway Station: Madurai Junction railway station (Station Code MDU). We can hire a cab or buses from the station, which takes around 44 to 50 Mins to reach the Temple.
Check out and enjoy my photo captures of Kallazhagar Temple – Azhagar Kovil / Alagar Koyil, Madurai.
Also check out More Interesting Photo captures in Madurai:
Colonel John Pennycuick memorial at lower camp, Theni, Madurai Visit, Travel Guide
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Balakumar .M
Casual Walker is a curious Travel & Culture – photography magazine by Balakumar .M, an Avid Traveler and Culture Photographer, International Award-winning Entrepreneur, and Technologist, who received the Asia Innovation Award from SingTel, Singapore.
Casual Walker magazine visually walks a wide range of thoughtful, and unique photography stories and insightful guides on Travel, Traditions, Culture & Arts, Indian Temples, Museums, Events, Foods & Eats, Dance, Drama, & Music performances, Nature & Living, Hotels & Stays, Yoga & Vedas, Wildlife, Travel Gears, and Reviews. more
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