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{{Short description|Perumal temple in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Kallalagar Temple
| image = Kallazhagar (31).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Madurai]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10.074136|78.214356|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = India
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Madurai district|Madurai]]
| locale = [[Alagar Kovil]], [[Madurai]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = {{Plainlist|
* Kallalagar (Sundararaja Perumal) ([[Vishnu]])
* Kalyana (Sundaravalli Thayar) ([[Lakshmi]])
}}
| festivals = {{Plainlist|
* Float festival
* Chitirai Thiruvila
* [[Navaratri]]
* [[Vaikunta Ekadashi]]
}}
| tower = Somachandra Vimanam
| architecture = [[Tamil architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website = https://alagarkoilkallalagar.hrce.tn.gov.in
}}

'''Kallalagar''' '''Temple''' or '''Kallazhagar Temple''' or "Kallalazhagar Temple", also known by its own toponym Thirumaliruncholai,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thirumaliruncholai {{!}} Pandiyanadu Divyadesams Tour Packages {{!}} 4 Days Yatra |url=https://www.108divyadesam.com/Thirumaliruncholai.html |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=www.108divyadesam.com}}</ref> is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to the God [[Vishnu]] in [[Alagar Koyil]], a village in [[Madurai district]] in the South Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Constructed in the [[Tamil Architecture|Tamil Style of Architecture]], the temple is glorified in the ''[[Divya Prabandha|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the early medieval [[Tamil literature|Tamil]] canon of the [[Alvars|Azhvar]] saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 ''[[Divyadesam|Divya Desams]]'' dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Kallalagar, and his consort [[Lakshmi]] as Thirumagal.<ref>{{cite book|title=108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu|last= M. S. |first=Ramesh|publisher= Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam|year=1993}}</ref> This temple is called as ''Thirumaliruncholai'' in [[Sangam literature|Sangam literatures]] and [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham]] sung by Tamil Alvar saints.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a seven-tiered raja[[gopuram]]. The temple is surrounded by a large fort, part of which is dilapidated.

Kallalagar is believed to have appeared to redeem sage Suthapava off his curse from Sage [[Durvasa]]. The temple follows [[Thenkalai|Tenkalai]] tradition of worship. Six daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the float festival during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Masi'' (February–March), [[Navrathri]] during September–October and [[Vaikunta Ekadasi|Vaikunta Ekadashi]] during ''Margazhi'' (December–January) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref>[http://www.tnhrce.org/hrce_act_1959.html Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959]</ref>

==Legend==
[[File:Kallazhagar (23).jpg|200px|left|thumb|The gateway towers of the temple]]
As per Hindu legend, Sage Suthapas was taking bath in Nupura Ganga at Alagar Hill and did not pay heed to sage [[Durvasa]], who was passing by. The enraged Durvasa cursed Suthapas that he would turn into a frog until he is redeemed of his curse by Sundararajar, who is also known as Kallalagar. Suthapas, who is named as ‘Manduka [[Maharishi]]’ because of his frog form, performed penance on the banks of river [[Vaigai]], which is otherwise known as Vegavathi, at Thenur. Kallalagar descended from his abode in Alagar Hill to redeem Manduka Maharishi off his curse. Since days unknown, it is believed that Kallalagar comes to Thenur via Malaipatti, Alanganallur and Vayalur. In Thenur Mandap, the lord redeems the sage of his curse and leaves for his abode. "During Thirumalai Nayak regime (1623 to 1659 CE), in 1653 the Manduka Maharishi relieving ritual was shifted to Vandiyur village where the event is performed at Thennur Mandapam, built by Thirumalai Nayak himself".<ref name="dinamalar"/>

As per another Hindu legend, the presiding deity was worshiped by [[Yama]], the god of death. He requested Vishnu to stay in the place and built a temple with the help of [[Vishvakarma]], the divine architect.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&q=alvar+thirunagari|page=18|first=Roshan|last=Dalal|publisher=Penguin Books India|year=2010|isbn=9780143414216}}</ref>

==Architecture==
{{Multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center
|align=left
| total_width = 300
| width1 = 1263 | height1 = 2821
| width2 = 1185 | height2 = 3010
|direction=horizontal
|image1=Kallazhagar (17).jpg
|caption1=Ulagalantha Perumal, Vishnu's [[Vamana]] avatar
|image2=Kallazhagar (20).jpg
|caption2=Varaha Avatar, the boar form of Vishnu
}}
[[File:Kallazhagar (21).jpg|250px|thumb|Pillared halls of Kalyana Mandapam, where rare Vijayanagara period images are housed in the sculpted pillars]]
Kallalagar temple covers an area of about {{convert|2|acre|hectare|abbr=on}} 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 in standing posture. The images of Sridevi and [[Bhūmi|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.<ref name=Rao>{{cite book|title=Temples of Tamil Nadu|last=Rao|first=A.V.Shankaranarayana|publisher=Vasan Publications|isbn=978-81-8468-112-3|year=2012|page=229–31|ref=Rao}}</ref> There are separate shrines of Sundaravalli Nachiyar, Andal, Sudarshana and Yoga Narasimha around the shrines of the sanctum.<ref name=Meena/>

The temple houses some rare Vijayanagara sculptures similar to the ones present in [[Soundararajaperumal Temple, Thadikombu]], [[Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple]], [[Srivilliputhur Divya Desam]] and [[Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore]].<ref name=Gopal>{{cite journal|title=The Raṅga-maṇḍapa of the Tāṭikkompu Temple A Study of an Iconographic Programme of the Vijayanagara Tradition|journal=East and West|volume=46|last=S.|first=Gopalakrishnan|issue=3/4|date=December 1996|jstor=29757285|pages=415–431}}</ref>

The architecture of the Alagar temple corresponds to any of those of south Indian temples, with large gopurams and pillared [[mandapa]]ms. The gopuram of the Karuppa swamy shrine depicts the passionate side of human relationship in the form of beautiful statues. Apart from these, it also depicts the evolution of cultural aspects of the local society including a depiction of an Englishman in British police uniforms.<ref name="dinamalar"/>

The main tower entrance (''Mukya Gopuram'') always remains closed, with the shrine of [[Karuppa swamy|Karupana Swami]]. The steps behind the closed door is worshipped as ''Patinettaam padi Karuppan'' (meaning, the black deity who occupies the eighteen steps). There are various legends associated with it. Once a year, the doors are opened and ''[[Sudarshana Chakra]]'' (Chakrathalvar), the celestial discus, passes over through the open door. This is a centuries-old practice, where even the festive deity of the presiding deity is not allowed to pass through the doors.<ref name="dinamalar"/>

The famous [[Vaishnava]] works in Tamil, belonging to the early 4th to 6th centuries point that to this temple as a Vishnu temple. The [[Sangam age]] [[Cilappatikaram]] belonging to 3rd century CE, points out to this temple as a Vishnu temple. During 2013, while cleaning the area in front of Karupana Samy shrine, a big Teppakulam was discovered, filled with sand and covered with dense undergrowth.<ref name="dinamalar"/>

==Religious significance==
{{Multiple image
| caption_align = center
| header_align = center
| align = right
| total_width = 300
| width1 = 1417
| height1 = 3159
| width2 = 1500
| height2 = 3220
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = Kallazhagar (13).jpg
| caption1 = [[Garuda]], [[vahana]] of Vishnu carrying him
| image2 = Kallazhagar (12).jpg
| caption2 = [[Narasimha]], an [[avatar]] of Vishnu slaying Hiranyakashupu
}}

Kallalagar temple is revered in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabhandam|Naalayira Divya Prabhandam]]'', the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by [[Periazhwar|Periyalvar]] and [[Peyazhwar|Peyalvar]]. The temple is classified as a ''[[Divyadesam]]'', one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like ''108 Tirupathi Anthathi'' by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.<ref name="dinamalar" />There are many waterbodies associated with the temple like Pandava, Hanuman, Uttara Narayana, Garuda. The ablution to the presiding deity is performed with waters from these tanks. The water from other sources, if used, is believed to turn the image to black colour.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

==Religious practises and festival==
The temple follows the traditions of the [[Thenkalai|Tenkalai]] sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows ''Vaikanasa aagama''. In modern times, the temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavaite]] community, a Brahmin sub-caste. Six daily rituals are held at various times of the day and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the float festival during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Masi'' (February–March), [[Navrathri|Navaratri]] during September–October and [[Vaikunta Ekadasi]] during ''Margali'' (December–January) being the most prominent. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Kallazhagar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/new.php?id=695|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=31 May 2014|year=2014}}</ref> ''Abhishekam'', ablution of the presiding deity, is performed only with the waters from Noopura Ganga, a lake on the top of the hill. Water from other sources is not used as it is believed to decolour the image.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|pages=15–16}}</ref>

Every year during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''[[Chaitra|Chithirai]]'' (April-May), [[Chithirai Thiruvizha|Chithirai Thiruvila]] is celebrated. [[Chithirai Thiruvizha|Chithirai Thiruvila]] is a yearly event of the marriage of [[Meenakshi Amman Temple|Meenakshi]], believed to be Alagar's sister.<ref name=A>{{cite book|title=Temples of South India|last=Anantharaman|first=Ambjuam|publisher=East West|edition=second|year=2006|isbn=978-81-88661-42-8|page=127}}</ref> The first 15 days of the event is celebrated in [[Madurai]] for the arrangements between Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, while the next 15 days is about Alagar making preparations for her marriage. The main event is Kallalagar crossing the Vaigai river. Ethir Sevai is a part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha of the Kallazhagar temple at Alagar Koyil and begins on the fourth day. On this day, Alagar or Lord Vishnu changes his appearance as Kallar and travels via Kallar Nadu and enters Madurai and the city’s residents welcome him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/divine-wedding-under-lockdown-chithirai-festival-at-madurai-meenakshi-temple/story-qZotuPYKznlpKznD1LGg4O.html|title=Chithirai festival|work=[[hindustantimes]]|date=2020-05-04 |accessdate=2023-07-06}}</ref> Millions of people gather in Madurai to witness this event. While Kallalagar enters the river, he learns that his sister's marriage is already over, he returns to Karuparayar Mandapam and then he takes ten [[avatar]]s and finally returns to Alagar Kovil. This temple obtained a new [[Temple car|car]], after 300 years, built with a team of 15 artisans using ''vengai'' tree wood for the structure and Burma teakwood for sculptures. The trial run was held on 6 July 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/alagarkoil-gets-new-car-after-300-years/article7393575.ece |title=Alagarkoil gets new car after 300 years |work=The Hindu |date=7 July 2015 |access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> The temple is one of the major tourist attraction in the region.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Top Ten Temple Towns of India|publisher=Mark Age Publication|first=S.C.|last=Karkar|location=Kolkota|isbn=978-81-87952-12-1|year=2009|page=21}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Alagar_Koyil}}
{{Famous Vishnu temples}}

[[Category:Divya Desams]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Madurai]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Madurai]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Madurai]]

Kallalagar Temple - Revision history

Donnell05T at 20:27, 3 May 2026