RhysFrisina87 at 06:06, 1 May 2026

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{{Short description|Perumal temple in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Koodal Aḻagar Temple
| image = File:Koodalazhagar (13).jpg
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu
| coordinates = {{coord|9|54|51.83|N|78|06|50.79|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Madurai district|Madurai]]
| location = [[Madurai]]
| elevation_m = 145
| deity = {{Plainlist|
* Viyooga Sundarrajan ([[Vishnu]])
* Mathuravalli Thayar ([[Lakshmi]])
}}
| facade_direction =
| tower = Ashtanga Vimanam
| temple_tank = Hema Pushkarani
| festivals =
| architecture = [[Tamil architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website = {{url|http://www.koodalalagartemple.tnhrce.in/}}
}}

'''Koodal Aḻagar Temple''' or "Koodal Allhagar Temple" in [[Madurai]], a city in the South Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]], is a temple dedicated to the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]]. Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]], the temple is glorified in the ''[[Divya Prabandha|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the early medieval [[Tamil literature|Tamil]] canon of the [[Alvars|Alvar]] saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one among the 108 ''[[Divyadesams|Divya Desams]]'' dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Viyooga Sundarrajan, and his consort [[Lakshmi]] as Mathuravalli.<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>

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered raja[[gopuram]], the gateway tower. The temple is originally believed to be built by the [[Pandyas]], with later additions by the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] and [[Madurai Nayak]]s kings who commissioned pillared halls and major shrines of the temple during the 16th century.

Koodal Aḻagar is believed to have appeared to slay the demon Somuka who abducted the four ''[[Vedas]]''. The temple follows the [[Thenkalai|Tenkalai]] tradition of worship. Four daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the fourteen-day annual Brahmotsavam during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Vaikasi'' (May - June) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==Legend==
[[File:Koodalazhagar (3).jpg|200px|left|thumb|Stucco image of presiding deity]]
As per Hindu legend, a ruler named Vallabhadeva went incognito everyday to know about the lives of people under him. During one of his visits, a scholar told him that the ultimate goal in life is to "collect provisions in summer and save for winter", which also meant that one should work during his younger days and save for his old age. Vallabadeva was not convinced and he set this as a competition among scholars to make him realize the true value of life. Vishnucitta, who would later go on to become [[Periazhwar|Periyalvar]], one of the twelve most revered saints of [[Vaishnava]] sect, came to [[Madurai]] from [[Srivilliputhur]]. He was believed to have been directed by the heavenly words of Vishnu and he expounded the sacred verses. He explained the concepts of Hitham and Purushartham from ''[[Vedas]]'' and proclaimed that attained the feet of [[Narayana]] could lead to salvation. Vallabhadeva was pleased with the explanation and he awarded a bag of gold to Visnucitta. It is believed that the current ''[[gopuram]]'' of [[Srivilliputhur Andal Temple|Srivilliputhur Temple]], was built by Periyalvar with the gold won.<ref name=M>{{cite book|title=15 Vaishnava Temples of Tamil Nadu|last=M.|first=Rajagopalan|pages=119–128|publisher=Govindaswamy Printers|location=Chennai, India|year=1993}}</ref>

==History==
The inscriptions in the temple refer the presiding deity as Koodal Alagiya Perumal. There are inscriptions in the temple indicating generous gifts and endowments in the form of land, houses and gold to maintain and administer the temple. An inscription from the 8th century indicates the donation of granite stones for the construction of Ardha [[Mandapa]]. The temple was expanded during the rule of [[Madurai Nayaks]] in the 16th century. The [[Dwajasthambam|Dvajasthambam]] mandapam (flag staff) and mandapam before the Hema Pushkarani were constructed by the Nayaks. The Mathuravalli Thayar Shrine (Thayar) was constructed and the temple was renovated by Muthu K.R.V. Alagappa Chettiar of Devakottai in 1923. Since then, 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><ref name=M/>

==Architecture==
[[File:Koodalazhagar (17).jpg|270px|left|thumb|Image of ''Ashtanga Vimanam'' and gateway tower]]
Koodal Aḻagar temple covers an area of about {{convert|2|acre|hectare|abbr=on}} and has a five-tiered ''[[gopuram]]'' (gateway tower) raising to a height of {{convert|125|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The temple is enclosed in a rectangular enclosure with huge granite walls. The central shrine has an elevated structure and houses the images of the presiding deity, Koodal Aḻagar, in three forms, namely sitting, standing and reclining postures.<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=20}}</ref><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><ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|page=15}}</ref> The image made of granite is sported in sitting posture and {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall. The images of Sridevi and [[Bhudevi]] are present in either sides of Koodal Aḻagar. The festival deity is named Vyuga Sundararajar and the image is {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall made of [[panchaloha]]. The [[vimana (tower)|vimana]], the shrine over the sanctum is Ashtanga in architecture, which has eight parts, namely, ''Adhistana'' (base), three ''Pada''s (struct), Prashthana (limb), Griva (leading struct), Shikara (cylindrical holder) and Stupi (top portion). The outer parts of the vimana has stucco images of sages, [[Dasavatara|Dashavataram]], [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]] and [[Varaha]], [[Lakshmi Narasimha]], [[Lakshmi Narayana]], and [[Narayana|Narayanamoorthy]]. The vimana is believed to be the work of [[Vishwakarma|Vishvakarma]], the divine architect. The shadow of the vimana does not fall on the ground. The Ashtanga Vimana is found in Mannar Koil, Ambasamudram, [[Uthiramerur]], [[Thirukoshtiyur]] and [[Cheranmadevi]] temples. The inner walls of the sanctum has paintings of the [[Guardians of the directions|Ashtadikpalakas]].<ref name=M/>

The shrine of the consort of Koodal Aḻagar, Mathuravalli, is located to the south of the main shrine. There are smaller shrines of Lakshmi Narasimha, [[Rama]], Lakshmi Narayana, and [[Krishna]] located close to the sanctum. The shrines of [[Andal]], Narasimha, and [[Manavala Mamunigal]] are found in separate shrines around the first precinct. The shrine of Andal has painting depicting puranic stories and inscriptions detailing devotional literature. The shrines of [[Garuda]], [[Anjaneya]], [[Ramanuja]], [[Vedanta Desika]] and [[Azhwars|Alvars]] are found in the second precinct. The pillars in the halls leading to the sanctum have small sculptures, in the second precinct. The second floor has a shrine dedicated to Suryanarayana standing along with goddesses.<ref>{{cite book|title=Spiritual India Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djI5mL2qeocC&q=koodal+azhagar+temple&pg=PT373|pages=372–375|publisher=Jaico Publishing House|year=2009|isbn=9788184950243|last=Knapp|first=Stephen}}</ref> The Teppakulam, the [[Pushkarni|temple tank]], is located outside the temple premises. It has a centre hall made of granite.<ref>{{cite news|title=Koodal Azhagar Temple tank to be renovated|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/koodal-azhagar-temple-tank-to-be-renovated/article5731540.ece|publisher=The Hindu|date=27 February 2014|location=Madurai|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

==Religious significance==
[[Periazhwar|Periyalvar]] obtained the name as he is believed to be an ardent worshipper of Vishnu. While coming out of Madurai, he was taken out in procession to Srivilliputhur and he got the divine vision of Vishnu at the instance. He started reciting his composition, ''[[Periya Tirumoli]]'', which was compiled in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabhandam|Naalayira Divya Prabhandam]]'' by [[Manavala Mamunigal]]. Manavala decreed that the verses of Periyalvar starting with ''[[Tirupallantu]]'' should be the first and last verse while reciting Prabhandam in any sacred occasion in Vishnu temples. [[Ramanuja]], a proponent during the 10th century, believes that Tirupallandu originated at Madurai. Thus Koodal Aḻagar temple finds an indomitable position in Vaishnavite belief.
During [[Pralaya|Mahapralaya]], the great disaster, the devotees sought the abode of Vishnu in Madurai. It is believed that Vishnu stood as a bulwark against the impending disaster, giving him the name of the city as Naanmadakoodal or Koodal Nagar ('Koodal' in Tamil is bulwark).

The place is mentioned to be significant during four ages namely, ''[[Satya Yuga]]'', ''[[Treta Yuga]]'', ''[[Dvapara Yuga]]'' and ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. The temple has [[Navagrahas]], the nine planetary deities, which are otherwise found only in [[Shiva]] temples. It indicates Vaishnavite cultures during the medieval period.<ref name=M/>

==Literary mention==
[[File:Koodalazhagar (4).jpg|250px|thumb|left|Image of the temple tower]]
Historians are of the opinion that Koodal Aḻagar temple finds mention in [[Sangam literature]] (3 century BCE - 3 century CE) in works like ''Madurai Kanchi'' by Mangudi Marudan, ''[[Paripāṭal]]'', ''[[Kaliththokai]]'' and ''[[Silappatikaram]]''. ''Madurai Kanchi'' details the Thiruvonam festival celebrated in the temple. Koodal Aḻagar temple is revered in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabhandam]]'', the 5th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by [[Periazhwar|Periyalvar]], [[Thirumalisai Alvar]] and [[Thirumangai Azhwar|Thirumangai Alvar]]. The temple is classified as a ''[[Divyadesam|Divya Desams]]'', 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 and ''Koodal Sthala Purana''.<ref name=M/>

''Koodal Purana'' details the origin of [[Vaigai river]] flowing through Madurai. It is believed that Vishnu stood up as [[Trivikrama]], with one of his foot rising to the skies and the foot reached [[Brahmaloka]], the abode of [[Brahma]]. Brahma was pleased to perform ablution to the raised foot and the water is believed to have emerged as a rivulet called Krithimala. A large number of banana trees sprang up in the place and it came to be known as Kadhalivana, a forest of banana trees.

Satyavrata, a ruler of Madurai was a staunch devotee of Vishnu. It is believed that once Vishnu came out of the river Krithimala as a fish ([[Matsya]] avatar, one of the [[avatar]]s of Vishnu) to teach ''[[Vedas]]'' to the ruler. From then on, the [[Pandyas]] started having fish as the symbol of the kingdom.<ref name=M/><ref name=hindu1>{{cite news|title=Symbol of togetherness|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/06/stories/2004090601960400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041127161333/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/06/stories/2004090601960400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2004|first=Sundararajan|last=S.|date=6 September 2004|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

==Religious practices==
[[File:Koodalazhagar (5).jpg|250px|thumb|Legend of Periyalvar]]
The temple follows the traditions of the [[Thenkalai|Tenkalai]] sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows the ''Vaikasana aagama''. In modern times, the temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavaite]] community, the [[Iyengar]] community. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: ''Kalasanthi'' at 8:00 a.m., ''Uchikalam'' at 12:00 p.m., ''Sayarakshai'' at 5:00 p.m., and ''Aravanai Pooja'' at 6:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''neivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Koodal Aḻagar and Mathuravalli. During the last step of worship, ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the ''[[Vedas]]'' (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the [[Iconography of Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu#Dvajasthamba and Pali Peedam|temple mast]]. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Koodal Azhagar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=697|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=31 May 2014|year=2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|year=1997|title=Iconographic Programme in Temple Cars: A Case Study of the Kūṭal Alakar Tēr|url=https://www.academia.edu/3308656|journal=East and West, ROme|volume=48.3-4|pages=48.3–4: 329–48}}</ref>

The fourteen day annual Brahmotsavam during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Vaikasi'' (May - June) is the most prominent festival of the temple. The festive images of the temple are brought in chariot round the streets of the temple in various mounts during all the fourteen days.<ref name="dinamalar"/>

==Kumbhabhishekham==
[[File:Koodalazhagartemplegopura.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The [[Gopuram|rajagopura]] on the [[Kumbhabhishekham]] day (20 January 2024), with the [[Vimana (architectural feature)|vimana]] in the background]]
The kumbabishegam of the temple was held on 20 January 2024.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLOd9xE_8lA மதுரை கூடல் நகர் கூடலழகர் பெருமாள் கோயில் கும்பாபிஷேகம், ஜோதி டிவி, 20 சனவரி 2024]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|20em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Koodal Azhagar Temple}}
{{Famous Vishnu temples}}

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

Koodal Azhagar Temple - Revision history

RhysFrisina87 at 06:06, 1 May 2026