Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil
Vishnu as Kallazhagar (Sundararaja Perumal), with Sundaravalli Thayar temple · Alagar Koil, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Kallazhagar Temple, also spelled Kallalagar and known by its old name Thirumaliruncholai, is a Vishnu temple at Alagar Koil, a village at the foot of the Alagar hills in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. Vishnu is worshipped here as Kallazhagar, also called Sundararaja Perumal, and his consort as Sundaravalli Thayar. Madurai Corporation's tourism page places the temple about 21 km north-west of Madurai, on a wooded hillside.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, and it is best known for its central role in Madurai's Chithirai festival, when the festival image of Azhagar travels to the city and enters the Vaigai river before very large crowds. The temple is administered by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil
Wikipedia records that the temple is praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Periyalvar and Peyalvar, among others, and that the Sangam-era Silappatikaram refers to a Vishnu temple here. The C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC) notes that the Sangam poet Nakkirar also composed verses on the deity. The hill is shared with Pazhamudircholai, one of the six abodes of Murugan, which Madurai Corporation places about 4 km further up; a spring called Nupura Gangai, where pilgrims bathe, is on the same hill.
In Madurai tradition, Azhagar is regarded as the brother of the goddess Meenakshi. During the Chithirai festival (April–May), which celebrates Meenakshi's wedding to Sundareswarar at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a golden festival image of Sundararajar is carried in procession from Alagar Koil to Madurai. According to legend, Azhagar sets out to attend his sister's wedding, and his entry into the Vaigai on the full moon of Chithirai is also linked to the redemption of a sage, Suthapava (called Manduka Maharishi), who is believed to have been cursed by Durvasa to live as a frog until Vishnu released him. DT Next reported in 2022 that the deity, robed in green silk and mounted on a golden horse, was received in the riverbed by Veeraraghava Perumal and wore a garland sent from the Andal temple at Srivilliputhur; police estimated that more than five lakh people gathered for the event that year.
The temple is also home to the shrine of Pathinettampadi Karuppaswamy, a guardian deity worshipped at the closed main gateway. According to Wikipedia, the deity is venerated as eighteen steps behind a door that is kept shut and smeared with sandal paste, and the door is opened only once a year, in the month of Aadi.
Heritage
History of Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil
CPREEC, drawing on historical records, names Malayadhwaja Pandya as the earliest known royal patron of the temple, and records that Jatavarman Sundara Pandya (who reigned 1251–1270 CE) covered the vimana over the sanctum with gold plates. Under the Vijayanagara king Krishnadeva Raya, revenues from two villages were endowed for the temple's festivals. The temple stands within the remains of a large historic fort, parts of which are in ruins.
According to Wikipedia, the ritual of releasing Manduka Maharishi was once held at Thenur on the Vaigai, and in 1653, during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak (1623–1659), it was moved to the Thenur Mandapam at Vandiyur, a hall the king built for the purpose. Wikipedia also records that a large buried temple tank was uncovered in front of the Karuppaswamy shrine during cleaning in 2013, and that a new temple car, built of vengai wood with teak carvings, had its trial run on 6 July 2015.
Architecture and sacred features
Wikipedia describes the temple as covering about two acres inside a rectangular granite wall, with a seven-tiered rajagopuram. The vimana over the sanctum is called the Somachandra Vimanam. The main image stands with Sridevi and Bhudevi, and there are separate shrines of Sundaravalli Thayar, Andal, Sudarshana and Yoga Narasimha. Two life-size sculptures show Narasimha seizing and slaying Hiranyakashipu.
The temple holds Vijayanagara-period sculpture comparable, according to Wikipedia, to work at Krishnapuram and Srivilliputhur. The gopuram of the Karuppaswamy shrine carries sculpted figures that include, Wikipedia notes, a man in British police uniform.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The Chithirai festival brings exceptionally large crowds to Alagar Koil and Madurai; follow police and temple arrangements during processions. The hill is forested and home to monkeys. Confirm current timings, dress expectations and festival dates with the temple administration (Tamil Nadu HR&CE) before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil
Chithirai festival (Azhagar's entry into the Vaigai)
The festival image of Sundararajar travels from Alagar Koil to Madurai, is welcomed by the city (Ethir Sevai) and enters the Vaigai, linked in tradition to Meenakshi's wedding and to the release of Manduka Maharishi.
Float festival
Named by Wikipedia among the temple's most prominent festivals.
Opening of the Karuppaswamy gate
The closed door of the Pathinettampadi Karuppaswamy shrine is opened once a year, according to Wikipedia.
Vaikunta Ekadasi
Named by Wikipedia among the temple's most prominent festivals.
Navaratri
Named by Wikipedia among the temple's most prominent festivals.
Location
How to Reach Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil
Madurai Corporation places Alagar Koil about 21 km north-west of Madurai, at the foot of the Alagar hills; Pazhamudircholai is about 4 km further up the same hill. Madurai is the nearest city, with a railway station and an airport.
Location: Alagar Koil, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Madurai
Nearest railway station: Madurai
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu as Kallazhagar (Sundararaja Perumal), with Sundaravalli Thayar temples · Temples in A.Valayapatti · Temples in Melur Taluk · Temples in Madurai District
Questions
Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Kallazhagar Temple?
It is at Alagar Koil, at the foot of the Alagar hills in Madurai district, about 21 km north-west of Madurai according to Madurai Corporation.
Is Kallazhagar Temple the same as Koodal Azhagar Temple?
No. Koodal Azhagar is a separate Vishnu temple in central Madurai. Kallazhagar is at Alagar Koil, outside the city; both are Divya Desams.
Why does Kallazhagar go to Madurai during the Chithirai festival?
In Madurai tradition Azhagar is Meenakshi's brother and sets out for her wedding; his entry into the Vaigai on Chithirai full moon is also linked to the legend of releasing the sage Manduka Maharishi from a curse.
What is Pathinettampadi Karuppaswamy?
He is a guardian deity worshipped as eighteen steps behind the closed main gateway of the temple. The door is opened only once a year, in the month of Aadi.
Is Kallazhagar Temple a Divya Desam?
Yes. Under the name Thirumaliruncholai it is one of the 108 Divya Desams praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
How old is Kallazhagar Temple?
A Vishnu temple here is mentioned in Sangam literature. CPREEC records Pandya patronage, including gilding of the vimana by Jatavarman Sundara Pandya (1251–1270), and later endowments by Krishnadeva Raya.
Is Pazhamudircholai near Kallazhagar Temple?
Yes. Pazhamudircholai, one of Murugan's six abodes, is on the same hill about 4 km further up.
Sources and attribution
- Wikipedia — Kallalagar Temple
- Madurai City Municipal Corporation — Alagar Kovil
- C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre (Eco-heritage of Tamil Nadu) — Alagarkoil / Pazhamudhir Cholai
- DT Next — Lord Kallazhagar enters Vaigai in Madurai amid sea of devotees
Further reading: Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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