Divya Desams - Pandya Nadu - 2 of 18 - Thirumaliruncholai, Azhagar Temple (Kallazhagar)

 

 Pandiyanadu DivyaDesams - 2 of 18

Thirumaliruncholai, Azhagar Temple (Kallazhagar)

திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை - அழகர் கோயில் (கள்ளழகர்)

Pandiyanadu Divyadesams - 2 of 18

Thirumaliruncholai, Azhagar Temple (Kallazhagar)

திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை - அழகர் கோயில் (கள்ளழகர்)

21 Kilometers north-east of Madurai

This is perhaps among the few temples where the Utsava Moorthy - the processional deity - is more famous than the Moolavar. Sundararaja Perumal here is Kallazhagar. There is something interesting and divine about him. We have heard about "பத்தரை மாத்து தங்கம்" which I read is half-part of Copper metal for every 10 parts of gold. Then there is "பத்து மாத்து தங்கம்" which is just Gold alone, otherwise called as Sokkathangam (சொக்கத்தங்கம்). And then there is a superlative to it called "ஆயிரத்தெட்டு மாத்து தங்கம்" - which is a very highly purified Gold called Aparanji - அபரஞ்சி பொன். The Sundararaja Perumal is made from the purest gold called Aparanji. Only two Utsavars have been made in Aparanji - Kallazhagar and Trivandrum Padmanabha Swamy.

The moolavar or the central deity is Sri ParamaSwamy flanked by Bhu and Sri devi. He holds Panchayudam and his Sudharsana Chakra is called Prayoga Chakra or awaiting imminent release by the Lord.

The Kallazhagar temple is set in the foreground of its namesake reserve forest. The evening sun lit up the fort walls and the seven-tiered Gopuram at the entrance when we arrived. There is a fort around the temple which makes the place imposing. I was told there are two.

"The temple is approximately 2,000 years old. Silappathikaram, the Tamil masterpiece, has a mention of the temple in Alagar hills. Malayadhwaja Pandyan, of the Pandyan dynasty, patronized the temple. After the end of Pandyan rule, Vijayanagar and Nayaka kings rebuilt and beautified the structures. They commissioned large mandapams and major shrines during the 16th century."

"The Tirumalai Nayakar mandapam is a princely structure while the Anna Vahana Mandapam has sculptures describing scenes from the Hindu puranas. The Kalyana mandapam contains life-size rock carvings of Narasimhar, Krishna, Garuda, Manmathan, Rathi, Trivikraman and Lakshmi Varaha. The vast mandapams include beautiful sculptures on the many pillars."

When Yama prayed here as a Vrushaba (Bull) to the lord, Soundararaja Perumal appeared before Dharma. Yama requested Vishnu to stay in the place and built a temple with the help of Vishvakarma, the divine architect.

When Lord Vishnu took the Trivikrama Avatar and measured the heavens, his feet reached Satyaloka. Bramha performed abhisheka to the lord's feet and anklet and the waters hit the Azhagar Malai and runs even today as Silambaru. Silambu means anklet. The waters are called Nupura Ganga. The "utsava moorthy" is bathed in only these holy waters as other waters are supposed to blacken the idols. There is even a water dispenser to the side of the temple where you can drink the waters of Nupura Ganga.

In Nachiyar Thirumozhi (9.6), Shri Andal prayed that she would offer 100 pots of butter and 100 pots of akkaravadisal to Bhagavan Azhagar (Sri Mahavishnu) at the Kallazhagar temple, if her desire of marrying Sri Ranganatha Swamy is fulfilled. The wish came to true and she merged with Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy.

நாறு நறும்பொழில்மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு,

நான் நூறு தடாவில் வெண்ணெய்

வாய்நேர்ந்து பராவிவைத்தேன்,

நூறு தடாநிறைந்த

அக்கார வடிசில்சொன்னேன்,

ஏறு திருவுடையான்

இன்றுவந்திவை கொள்ளுங்கொலோ.

- நாச்சியார் திருமொழி

"Lord Azhagar is the brother of Goddess Meenakshi at Madurai. Lord Azhagar was invited for the divine couple's wedding. In this ten day festival, Lord Azhagar (Kallar) starts from Azhagar temple for the divine wedding and reaches Madurai on Pournami, the day after the wedding is over. Enraged that the wedding was performed without Him, He enters into Vaigai river mounted on His horse. Before entering into Vaigai river, Lord Azhagar adorns the garland sent by Goddess Andal, from Srivilliputhur. Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi arrive at the right time to pacify Lord Azhagar. Azhagar then returns home after visiting Vandiyur Dasavatharam festival. This function is celebrated in a grand manner and is even declared as a local holiday. This legend is a general belief among the people, however there are no history (written proof) associated with this. Earlier Meenakshi Tirukalyanam and the Azhagar entering Vaigai river (chithirai festival) were happening at different times. It was only during Thirumalai Nayakar times, the Azhagar festival got shifted and the two events were synchronized."

The Pathinetaam Padi Karupannaswami (Lord of 18 steps) is a powerful guardian angel whose legend you may want to look up.

"Sri Ramanujar in order to keep up the promise of Goddess Andal, fulfilled Her offerings of 100 vessels of Akkaravadisal and Ghee to Lord Azhagar. When Sri Ramanujar visited Srivilliputhur, elated by Sri Ramanujar's offering, Goddess Andal greeted Him, "Annar", meaning "elder brother" in Tamizh. Till date Sri Ramanujar is considered as elder brother of Goddess Andal. Every year on the 27th day of Margazhi, Akkarai vadisal is made as offering to Lord Azhagar.

There are too many legends associated with the Kallazhagar temple and amongst them with the most recall is the episode of Sage Sudapa otherwise called "Manduka Maharisi" (because of his frog form after a curse), the Lord Kallazhagar meets him in the Vaigai river to relieve him of his curse.

Be prepared to spend good time at this place to enjoy the visual treat in the mantapams and take time to visit Pazhamudhircholai murugan further uphill.

Sriram(Hari)