Koodal Alagar Temple - Madurai.

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!

   

Raja Gopuram.

Ashtanga Vimanam.

Sculptures in front of Thayar Sannidhi.

Stone pillars has Yali sculpture.

View from terrace.

Sculptures associated with Painting.