Thirumaalirunsolai | Sri Kallazhagar Perumal Temple | Madurai | Divya Desams - 091

About the Temple & Location:

This is one of the divyadesam found in Madurai. Lots of buses are available from the Railway Station. But there is not much of lodging facility. Bhakthas can stay in any Lodges/Rooms near railway station. The temple is situated on the foot hill of Azhagar malai (mountain).

Kallazhagar Temple covers an area of about 2 acres (0.81 hectares) and has a five-tiered gopuram (gateway tower). The temple is enclosed in a rectangular enclosure with huge granite walls. The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Sundarabahu Perumal in standing posture. The images of Sridevi and Bhudevi are also housed in the sanctum. There are two life size images of Narasimha, the avatar of Vishnu. One of them is shown holding the demon Hiranya and other slaying him.

The temple houses some rare Vijayanagara sculptures similar to the ones present in Soundararaja perumal Temple, Thadikombu, Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple, Srivilliputhur Divya Desam and Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore. The temple also has one of the unique deities Chakarat Azhvar (Alvar) where the god with chakram having 16 hands and 16 weapons is without Narasimha above him.

The architecture of the Alagar temple corresponds to any of those of south Indian temples, with large gopurams and pillared mandapams. 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.

The main tower entrance (Mukya Gopuram) always remains closed, with the shrine of Karupana Swami. The steps behind the closed door is worshipped as Pathinettaam 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.

Some research scholars opine that this was earlier a Jain temple, (the Somaskanda Vimanam for instance) but was later converted into a Vishnu temple. During archaeological excavations, many Jain caves and inscriptions were found in the same hill around this temple. However, 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 Karupanna Samy shrine, a big Teppakulam was discovered, filled with sand and covered with dense undergrowth

Legend OF Sri Kallazhagar Perumal Temple - According to the legend,Sage Suthapas (Munivar) was bathing in Nupura Gangai at Azhakar Hill and did not pay respect to Durvasar Maharishi, who was passing by.The angry Durvasar cursed Suthapas that he would turn into a frog until he is redeemed of his curse by Lord Sundararajar known as Kallazhakar.

The Suthapas Maharishi, who is named as ‘Mandooga maharisi’ munivar because of his frog status, performed ‘thapas’ on the banks of river Vaigai, which is otherwise known as Vegavathi, at Thenur. The Lord Kallazhakar comes from his abode in Azhakar Hill to release Mandooga Maharishi from his curse, when he is praying.

Sthlapuranam :

Tirupathi – Tirumala which is called the “Vada Venkatam”, is popularly named as “Utthira Tirupathi”. Likewise, this sthalam, Azhagar koil is called as “Dhakshina Tirupathi”.

Like how Sri Srinivasa Perumal in Tirumala is giving His seva in Nindra Kolam on the top of the mountain, Azhagar also gives his seva in same Nindra Thirukkolam on the foot hill (Malaiyadi vaaram) of Azhagar Malai. The surroundings of this sthalam is so beautiful that the cool breeze surrounds the entire temple area and the temple itself is surrounded by Mountains.

The temple is protected by the Karuppar who is said to be Kaaval Deivam (protecting God).

The people who come along the Kallar generation led their life by grabbing money and wealth and by killing them.

But, another kind of people of this generation are also found who led their life by giving their wealth to the Emperumaan thereby praising him. Even if they steal others money, they will dedicate it for the perumal. Thirumangai Alwar, who is one of the 12 Alwars, belong to this Kallar generation.

“Kallar” in tamil means thief. The Perumal is called with this name because He steals all of His bhaktas heart by His beauty and the blessings. He protects all His bhaktas from the the evil.

Muruga Perumal is one way related to Sriman Narayanan, since her mother, Shakti is the sister of the Emperumaan. He married Deivayani, who married her in Thirupparankundram and married Valli, who belongs to the people found near mountains.

This sthalam is common for bhaktas who worship Sriman Narayanan and Lord Murugan. To explain the world that there should be no diffrence among the Gods, both the Saiva God, Muruga and the Sri Vaishnva god – Sriman Narayanan as “Kallar” (or) Azhagar are giving their seva to this world in this Maalirunsolai.

The Gopuram of this temple is very big and the first Vaasal (entrance) is the Thondaimaan Gopura Vaayil and 3 pragarams are found inside it. We can find the Sundara Pandiyan Mandapam, Sooriyan Mandapam and Munaiyathareyar Mandapam are found while going towards the Moolavar sannadhi.

The Moolavar gives His seva in Nindra Kolam and found along with Bhoomi Pirattiyaar. It is said that Yamadharman, the God of death daily comes to this sthalam in the night to worship the Perumal. The Perumal is also named as “Paramaswamy” which makes us to remember Lord Shivan.

The Utsavar is namd as “Sri Sundara rajar”. Both the Moolavar and utsavar are found along with the Panja Aayutham (5 weapons) namely the Sangu, Chakkaram, Vaal (or) Sword, Kothandam (bow) and Gadha, in their hands. Utsavar is made up of Aparanjitha gold, which is said to be the purest gold. The thirumanjanam (spiritual bath) is done only with Noopura Gangai water, if he is done with other water, the Utsavar becomes black in colour.

Along with him, Sri Sundara Baahoo Sri Srinivasar, Nithiya Utsavar are found who are made up of pure silver. The outer pragaram of Moolavar, Thumbikkai Alwar (Vinayagar) and Senai Mudaliayar are found.

Vairavar, who is treated as the “Shetra Balagar” of this sthalam is giving his seva in this sthalam and is said to be the powerful god with numerous shakti.

The thaayar is also named as “Thanikkovil Thaayar” since she has her own separate sannadhi. Tha Manjal (Turmeric) is given as the prasadham in this sannadhi to the bhaktas. Separate sannadhis for Sri Sudharsana Chakrathalwar, Sri Andal are found. Sri Yoga Narasimhar who is found in sitting posture is found who is said to be so powerful.

Utsavam:

The Azhagar utsavam which is done in Chitra Pournami is the Familiar utsavam of this sthalam. It is celebrated for almost 9 days and the first four days of the Utsavam is celebrated in Azhagar malai. He leaves for Madurai on the fourth day and return back to the Malai on the 9th day. In the same dy, the wedding of Madurai Meenakshi and Sundareswarar is done in Madurai, which is considered to be another grand utsavam in Koodal Azhagar Koil.

The Azhagar festival is a grand Utsavam which is celebrated as he witnesses the wedding of Madurai Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. He is seated on the Horse (Kudirai) Vahanam and proceeds towards the Vaigai river. And after this, he proceeds to the koil in the Kallazhagar kolam. Azhagar getting into the Vaigai river is reffered to as “Azhagar Aattril Iranguthal” festival. It means he is getting into the river Vaigai. Lakhs of bhaktas comes to Madurai to see this festival. During His entrance towards Madurai, the arrival of Him is referred to as the Edhir Sevai (the welcoming of Kallazhagar to Madurai is done). Before He starts for the Utsavam, a garland of Tulsi from Srivilliputtoor Sri Andal is weared to Him. This is done every year showing and expressing the love of Sri Andal towards Kallazhagar.

Other festival which is done in the Maargazhi month’s utsavam. Both Pagal Patthu and Raa Patthu utsavam are done and on the 8th day, Azhagar is seated in Golden Horse and he gives His seva. The Marriage utsavam of Sri Kallazhagar and Sri Andal happenes in this Panguni Uthiram day only.

Sthala Viruksham (tree): Sandhana Maram (Sandal wood tree).

Specials:

The speciality of this sthalam is in this sthalam the bhaktas are given the Vibhoodi (Thiruneeru) which is generally not given in Sri Vaishnava temples but given only in Saivates temples.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolvar found in this Sthalam is Sri Azhagar. Other names of this perumal are Kallazhagar, Maalangkaarar and Maalirunsolai Nambi. The perumal gave his prathyaksham for Malaiyathvaja Pandiyan and Dharmadevan. Moolavar in Nindra thirukkolam facing his thirumugham in East direction. Thaayar: The Thaayar is Sundaravalli. Also called as “SriDevi”. She has her own separate sannadhi in this temple.

Mangalasasanam:

Periyalwar – 24 Paasurams

Andal – 11 Paasurams

Thirumangaialwar – 33 Paasurams

Bhoodathalwar – 3 Paasurams

Peiyalwar – 1 Paasuram

Nammalwar – 36 Paasurams
Total – 108 Paasurams.

Manavala Maamunigal and Udaiyavar Sri Ramanujar has also done the Mangalasasanam on this perumal.

Pushkarani: Noopura Gangai and Silambaaru are the two pushkarani of this temple. The Origin of the Noopura Gangai in unknown but it flows towards the Gomukhi Vaayil and then follows towards the Madhavi Mandapam and finally drops into a big thotti (tank). The water finally reaches the base of Azhagar malai and it is referred to as the Thenaru (river of honey), since the water is so sweet in nature. This pushkarani is said to be of the medical values, which cures many diseases.

Vimanam:

Somasundar is the form which is taken by Lord Shiva to marry Meenakshi. As the remembrance of it, the Vimaanam is said to be the “Somasundara Vimaanam”.