Madurai Kallazhagar Temple - Alagar Kovil

Located at a distance of 20 km from Madurai city, Kallazhagar temple is one of the prominent temples situated at Alagar hills. Dedicated to lord Vishnu, the temple has high religious significance as well as captivating architecture. Setting in the natural background is even more appealing. The temple is famed for its beauty of exquisite sculptures in the hall and other mandapams. The prominent Vaishnavite saints have sung in praise of the deity of the place and the hills. In addition, Nakkirar, the famous Tamil poet composed several poems about this deity. Lord Vishnu here is Sundararajan who is popularly known as Alagar (handsome) in Tamil. According to a legend, lord Vishnu had come down to the divine marriage of lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi.

Unfortunately, he could not attend the marriage on time due to the pranks given by lord Indra, by which he stayed back on the other side of the Vaigai river bank. This temple has been mentioned in various sacred Hindu scripts. Epics such as Silappathikaram also contain mention of this temple and its greatness. The Alagar hills are also associated with Jainism along with its high significance in Hindu religion. Some of the religious literature shows that this hill used to be a residing place for Jain monks in 1 BC. Inscriptions from different dynasties over a wide span of centuries have been excavated. According to some legends, Pandyan King Malayadwaja Pandya and Dharma Devathai had the lord’s revelation at this temple. There are also inscriptions dating back to King Ashoka rule. It is said that great Jain monk Ajjanandi had resided here along with his disciples for quite some time. The renowned Pazhamudircholai and Rakkayi Amman shrines are located in the successive sections of this hill.