Sri Traveling....!: December 2012

Kallanai is a Tamil word which means Stone Dam. Located 20 Kilometers away from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. Kallanai Dam is one of the oldest irrigation dams in the world and was built around 2000 years ago.

This Grand Anicut built by the Chola King Karikalan around 1^st century A.D. This massive dam of stone is of 329 meters long and 20 meters wide!

This dam breaks into two channels at the island Srirangam.The northern channel is called Kollidam; southern channel - Cauvery and this empties into Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar, Nagapattinam District.

It was initially built for water storage, later its water is being diverted to delta region for irrigation.Kallanai diverts the Cauvery River into six sub rivers that irrigated about 282 Sq KM (69000 acres) and now more than 4000 Square Kilometers.

One of the oldest water-regulator structures in the world that is still in use.

One of the majestic anicut of our Nation!

We are going to enter into Koodal Alagar Perumal Temple, located at Madurai. Before entering, let me introduce some terminology to begin better!

108 Divyadesam! Refers to the 108 Vishnu Temples that are mentioned in the traditional Tamil poems of 12 Alwars. Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India, one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly realms. Starts from Srirangam and ends at Thirupparkadal.

Madurai - It is the third largest city in Tamil Nadu. Located in the banks of River Vaigai. The city was formed around Madurai Meenakshi Temple. Rich in tradition, culture, tourist attractions and the city never sleeps! Madurai was the capital in Pandya kingdom. It had been ruled by Pandyas, Cholas, Nayaks, British and more. In third century, Tamil Sangam was formed in order to develop the language.

Temple - Our Koodal Alagar Perumal Temple is just a kilometer away from Railway Station. Madurai is well connected by trains, buses and flights with major cities.

"Koodal" the Tamil term means joint / junction. The joining / junction of things provided the name Koodal to denote this place. Being a sacred place, it is called as Thirukoodal.

The Lord is found in three postures in this Temple. (Which is a rarity!)

1. Koodal Alagar (Vyuga Sundarrajan) is in sitting posture (Vetriruntha Thirukkolam under Aadhiseshan) in the lower portion of the Temple.

2. In the second portion, we can see Sri Ranganathan (Andhara Vaaanthu Empiraan) in sleeping posture. (Palli Konda Thirukkolam.)

3. In the final portion the Lord Surya Narayanan appears in standing posture. (Ninra Thirukkolam)

Architecture - Like Periya Kovil tower , (Brahadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur) shadows of Ashtanga Vimanam do not fall on the ground! Large Monolithic Yali sculptures can be found here. There are musical pillars too! In pragarams, you can see the paintings of 108 Divyadesam Lords. There is a Unjal Mandapam (Swinging Mandapam) with artistic wooden works!

Specialities of this Temple!

The only Temple among 108 which has sannadhi for Navagrahas.

We can find Perumal Temple with Ashtanga Vimanam (Eight Angle Vimanam) in two temples. One is here; another Thirukoshtiyur.

Pandiya Kings used to worship Vyuga Sundarrajan before war. He bestowed victories!

Like Srirangam, this Temple is also lies between two rivers. (Vaigai & Krudhamala).

Temples in proximity - Meenakshi Amman Temple, Kalamega Perumal Temple, Kalla Alagar Temple.

There are many significant histories associated with this Temple. Whatever I have stated here are not even 10%.

Visit and share your experience!