Madurai Koodal Azhagar

Ashtanga Vimanam

The Koodal Azhagar temple is at the heart of Madurai city - close to Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. This temple is the 47th Divya Desam and is one of the three temples with Ashtanga Vimanam - the other two in Uthiramerur and Tirukoshtiyur.

Moolavar is called Koodalazhagar and Utsavar is Sundararaja Perumal. The name of the Thayar is Maduravalli Thayar. The Moolavar is in the Amarndha Kolam. There are two more Perumal murthis and they can be seen by climbing the stairs leading to the Vimanam. Surya Narayana Perumal is in the Nindra Kolam at the base of the Vimanam and Sheerapthi Perumal is in the Pallikonda position or Kidandha Kolam further up the Vimanam.

The Navagrihas in the temple are noticeably bigger in size. The temple is open from 6 am - 12 pm and from 5 pm - 9 pm.

Vimanam -  A closer look

Koodal Azhagar Gopuram

Madurai Kallazhagar

Kallazhagar temple is the 91st Divya Desam and Azhagar Koil Main Road leads straight to this temple. The Azhagar Temple is at the base of a hill with Pazhamudir Cholai Murugar temple further up the hill.

The name of the Perumal is Sundararaja Perumal and the name of the Thayar is Kalyani Sundaravalli Thayar. One of the famous festivals for this temple is the Chitrai Tiruvizha when the Kallazhagar Perumal goes for a dip in the Vaigai river. The sight of Perumal on the horse in procession to Vaigai is very beautiful.

Tirupparankundram Murugar

Tirupparankundram is 7 kms from Madurai city and is famous for one of the Arupadai Veedu temple here. The temple can be reached by taking the Tirupparankundram Road and following the route to Thyagaraja College of Engineering.

According to Sthala Puranam, Lord Murugar married Indra's daughter Deivayanai after Surasamhaaram in this Kshetram. Near the entrance of the temple, there is a statue of Murugar marrying Deivayanai. Devotees usually resolve to garland this statue as a token of thanks for marriage being fixed for their near and dear ones.

In this temple, one can offer milk for performing Abhishekam for the Vel. The Moolavar is in the marriage scene that is engraved/ sculpted on the walls of the hill.

The temple is currently in Balalayam with Kumbabhishekam being planned for June 6th 2011.