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Location:
Azhagar
Koyil near Madurai
(Pandya Naadu)
Vishnu: Kallazhagar
Taayaar: Sundaravalli,
Sri Devi
Theertham:Noopura Ganga
Paasuram :Periyalsar, Andal, Tirumangaialwar,
Bhootattalwar, Peyalwar, Nammalwar
Vimaanam:Somasundara Vimanam
Travel Base:Madurai
Description This Divya Desam
is the well known Kallazhagar temple located at a distance of about 18
km from Madurai. Nearby is Pazhamudirsolai, one of the
six Padai Veedu shrines of Murugan.
There 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.
Deities:
The Moolavar here is Azhagar, in a standing posture facing east. Azhagar
is also known as Sundararajar, Paramaswamy and Rishabhadrinathar. Azhagar
is considered to be the tutelary deity of the Kallar tribe of this region,
hence the name Kallazhagar.Taayaar here is Sundaravalli.
Legend
has it that the Somasundara Vimanam, also known as the Somaskanda Vimanam
or the Somachanda Vimanam was designed by Viswakarma. Legend has it that
this shrine was built by Dharma Deva, upon whose request Vishnu took this
place as his permanent abode.
The temple:
This temple is situated in a picturesque locale. The hill nearby resembles
the shape of a cow, and hence the name Vrishabhadri. The temple is surrounded
by two forts, the outer one being Azhagapuri and the inner one Hiranyapuri.
The southern gateway to the fort, the Hiranyankottai vaasal is the main
entrance here. The Tirumalai Nayakar mandapam is a grand structure while
the Anna Vahana Mandapam has sculptures describing scenes from the Puranas.
The Kalyana mandapam has life sized images of Narasimhar, Krishna, Garuda,
Manmathan, Rathi, Trivikrama and Lakshmi Varaha. The flagstaff here
is gold plated. The Aryan mandapam houses Yalis with non removable stone
balls in their mouths as in Trivandrum.
There are shrines
to Valampuri Vinayakar and Saraswathi in the temple. There are shrines
to Yoga Narasimhar, Karuppannaswami (deity of the Kallar tribe) and Raakkaayee
Amman. The doors of the temple over the famous 18 steps
in this temple, are considered to be a manifestation of Karuppannasami
who is considered to be the gurardian deity here.
The Noopura Ganga
theertham is the Silambaar river. It is believed to have emanated from
the anklet of Vishnu. Full moon, new moon and dwadasis are considered
sacred for bathing in this theertham. Inscriptions form the period of
Rajaraja Chola are seen here as well as those from the 16th century Vijayanagar
period.
Festivals:
The Chittirai festival is a grand one, where on the fourth day, Azhagar
is taken to Madurai, where he resides on the banks of the Vaigai river
for five days and then returns. Chittirai is the month of great festivities
in Madurai, for it is when, the grand Chittirai Tiruvizha of Madurai
happens, attracting thousands of visitors. The festival images (gold)
here are of great beauty. Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Aadi,
Vasantotsavam in Vaikasi. Tirukkalyanam is celebrated in the month of
Pankuni, when Sri Devi, Bhu Devi, Kalyanasundaravalli and Andal are seen
with Vishnu. On Dwadasi in the bright half of Aippasi, the festival image
of Azhagar is given a ritual bath in Noopura Ganga.
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