Kallazhagar temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

1797

The Kallazhagar Temple located at Alagar Koyil (or Azhagar koil) village, in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu state. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Vishnu, who takes the avatar as Goddess Meenakshi’s brother, Kallazhagar (Sundararajar). 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.

Legend

According to the legend, Sage Durvasa cursed Maharishi Suthapas to turn into a frog because of not paying attention to him. Also he told that only Sundararajar (also known as Kallazhagar) can redeem his curse. Suthapas performed penance on the banks of river Vegavathi (presently Vaigai) at Thenur. Kallazhagar descended from his abode in Azhagar Hill to redeem Suthapas Maharishi (also known as ‘Manduka Maharishi’ because of his frog form) off his curse. In Thenur Mandap, the lord redeems the sage of his curse and leaves for his abode.

As per another legend, the presiding deity was worshiped by lord Yama. He requested Lord Vishnu to stay in the place and built a temple with the help of divine architect Vishwakarma.

Architecture

Kallazhagar temple covers an area of about 2 acres and has a seven-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, Uraga-mell-anayaan Perumaal in reclining posture on a snake bed similar to that of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. 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. There are separate shrines of Sundaravalli Nachiyar, Andal, Sudarshana and Yoga Narasimha around the shrines of the sanctum.

Festival

The most famous festival celebrated are Float festival during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March), Navrathri during September–October and Vaikunta Ekadasi during Margazhi (December–January) being the. Every year during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May), Chithirai Thiruvizha is celebrated. Chithirai Thiruvizha is an yearly event of the marriage of Meenakshi, believed to be Azhagar’s sister. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.