Azhagar Kovil, one of the sacred Divya Desams sung by the Alwars, is located in Tamil Nadu at 10.5° latitude and 78.14° longitude. It is situated in Melur Taluk of Madurai district, approximately 21 kilometers north of Madurai city.
Five Alwars have sung hymns in praise of this temple. Notably among them are:
In total, 108 hymns (Pasurams) have been composed in praise of Azhagar Kovil.
Apart from Poothathalwar, the other four mention Azhagar Kovil in fourteen other instances across various hymns.
Azhagar Malai (the hill) is where Andal performed penance, aspiring to marry Lord Krishna (Kannan). Unique to Azhagar Kovil, Andal is worshipped in a seated posture, unlike other temples where she is depicted standing.
Andal wished to prepare and offer 100 vessels of Akkaravadisal (sweet dish) upon marrying Krishna — a vow she made at this very hill.
Although Andal eventually united with Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam, it is believed that her wish was fulfilled at Azhagar Malai by Sri Ramanuja, as per temple legends. Even today, during the Madurai Chithirai Festival, Kallazhagar enters the Vaigai River adorned with the garland that Andal wore, brought from Srivilliputhur.
The Chithirai Festival in Madurai is a combined Shaiva-Vaishnava celebration, integrating:
To promote unity between the two sects, King Thirumalai Nayakar merged these festivals during his reign. Thus, the descent into the river, originally held in Thenur, later became part of the Vaigai River event in Madurai.
A story was developed stating that Kallazhagar (brother of Meenakshi) came to attend her wedding but returned after the marriage concluded before his arrival. However, an older legend predating Thirumalai Nayakar tells that Kallazhagar enters the river to redeem the curse of Sage Manduka and a crane.
Kallazhagar travels at least 70 km over 160 hours during the festival procession.
There is a local legend associated with Padhinettaam Padi Karuppasamy, the guardian deity of the temple.
It is believed that Karuppasamy, along with 18 followers, tried to subdue and bring Kallazhagar under control. But they were mesmerized by Azhagar’s divine beauty and transformed into 18 sacred steps. Karuppasamy has since been stationed as the chief guardian deity of the temple.
When Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana, he asked King Mahabali for three feet of land. Mahabali agreed. Vishnu measured:
With no space left for the third step, Mahabali surrendered himself to Vishnu.
As Trivikrama (the giant form of Vishnu), He measured the universe. At that time, Brahma washed His feet with sacred water from his kamandalu. It is believed that:
The river was later brought down to Earth by King Bhagiratha to absolve the sins of his ancestors. Lord Shiva bore the mighty river on His head to control its force. At Azhagar Malai, this divine stream is known as Noopura Ganga or Silambaraa, and also by names like Vanagiri and Rishabathri.
| Month | Festival Name |
|---|---|
| Chithirai | Kottagai Utsavam, Summer Festival |
| Vaikasi | Vasantha Utsavam |
| Aani | Periyaperumal Jyeshtabhishekam, Muppazha Utsavam |
| Aadi | Garuda Sevai, Thiruvadipooram, Ther Utsavam |
| Aavani | Thirupavithrotsavam, Uriyadi Utsavam |
| Purattasi | Vinayaka Chaturthi, Garuda Sevai, Navaratri, Vijayadasami |
| Aippasi | Deepavali, Oil Anointing Ceremony |
| Karthigai | Thirukarthigai Deepam |
| Margazhi | Thiruvadhyayana Utsavam (Pagal Pathu & Ira Pathu) |
| Thai | Chariot Festival (Sattath Ther), Kanu Festival, Taila Prathishta |
| Maasi | Float Festival (Theppotsavam), Gajendra Moksha |
| Panguni | Thirukalyana Utsavam (Divine Wedding) |
Joyalukkas has announced an initiative to provide 100 artificial limbs completely free of charge to…
Airfares from Chennai to several major cities in Tamil Nadu have risen ahead of the…
Free entrepreneurship training programmes will be conducted at Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College in Madurai with…
Devotees and spiritual organisations have urged the administration of the Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in…
The Navaratri festival at the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai entered its second day…
HCL, a major information technology services company, has announced recruitment opportunities for fresh graduates under…