A Wandering Heritager: Kallalagar Temple / Arulmigu Kallalagar Temple / கள்ளழகர் கோயில், Alagar Kovil, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

This Kallalagar Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam of Sri Maha Vishnu in Pandiya Nadu and 93^rd Divya Desam. 6 Alwars has sung one hundred twenty eight (127.. 126..?) pasurams in praise of Thirumal of this temple. Periyalwar-34, Sri Andal – 11, Sri Thirumangai Alwar – 22, Sri Nammalwar – 46, Bhoothathalvar – 3 and Peyalwar- 1.

சுற்றி நின்று ஆயர் தழைகள் இடச் சுருள்பங்கி நேத்திரத்தால் அணிந்து

பற்றி நின்று ஆயர் கடைத்தலையே பாடவும் ஆடக் கண்டேன் அன்றிப் பின்-

மற்று ஒருவர்க்கு என்னைப் பேசலொட்டேன் மாலிருஞ்சோலை எம் மாயற்கு அல்லால்

கொற்றவனுக்கு இவள் ஆம் என்று எண்ணிக் கொடுமின்கள் கொடீராகிற் கோழம்பமே. 3-4-5

….…. பெரியாழ்வார்

நாறு நறும் பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான்

நூறு தடாவில் வெண்ணெய் வாய் நேர்ந்து பராவி வைத்தேன்

நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்கார வடிசில் சொன்னேன்

ஏறு திருவுடையான் இன்று வந்து இவை கொள்ளும் கொலோ–9-6-

…………. ஸ்ரீ ஆண்டாள்

திருமாலிருஞ்சோலையானே ஆகிச் செழுமூவுலகும் தன்

ஒரு மா வயிற்றினுள்ளே வைத்து ஊழி ஊழி தலை அளிக்கும்

திருமால் என்னை ஆளுமால் சிவனும் பிரமனும் காணாது

அருமால் எய்தி அடி பரவ அருளை ஈந்த அம்மானே

Moolavar : Sri Paramaswamy

Utsavar : Sri Kallalagar, Sri Sundararaja Perumal

Thayar : Sri Sundaravalli, Kalyana Sundaravalli, Sridevi

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The Rajagopuram is at front with Anjaneyar and 18 ( steps) padi Karuppanna Swamy. There is no entrance through the Rajagopuram. In front of shrine There is a big mandapam and Udyavar Sannadhi is on the left. Dwajasthambam with balipeedam is on the way to main sanctum. Big size Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Maha mandapam. Moolavar is in standing posture holding Changu / Conch, Chakra, Gatha, Bow and Sword.

In the outer prakaram Sannidhi for Chakkarathalwar, Palliyarai, Yoga Narasimhar, Sri Bhoomi urchavar, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Andal, Garudalwar, Rangamannar, Parthasarathy, Naga Devathai, Andal ( Sitting posture only in this temple ), Viswaroopa Krishnan, Thirumalai Andaar, Rukmani, Venugopalan, Sathyabama, Yaga salai, Mahavishnu’s 7 avathara from Machcha to Kalki and Krishnan Sannadhi. There are many mandapams in front of Rajagopuram and inside the temple complex. All are constructed with stone.

Sridevi, Bhudevi, Srinivasa Perumal and Yoga Narasimhar are in the inner prakaram. Cheppu Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, artha mandapam and Maha mandapam. In Sanctum Sri Sundaraja Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. The sanctum is of elongated round type with stucco images at the bottom level. In the prakaram wall also has the stucco images. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam and yazhivari.

The vimanam is covered with gold plate. The Vimanam is called Sri Somasundara Vimanam, since, the vimanam is in the elongated round form. As per the architectural style and on the basis of thalasoothra, the scholars classified this Vimanam as Ayutha Vesara Vimanam. Nammalwar mentions this Vimanam as Nangal Kundram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions this place Alagarkoil was called as “Thirumaliruncholai”, “Thirumalirun Kundram”, “Irunkundram”, “Solaimalai” and “Thiruvarai” is a religious centre from Sangam age. Perumal of this temple was called as Paramaswamy and was praised in Nalayira divya prabandham by, “Bhuthathalawar”, “Nammalwar”, “Thirumangai Alwar”, “Periyalwar” and “Andal”. The inscriptions recorded from this temples belongs to Rajaraja-I, Pandya Kings Maravarman sundara Pandyan-I, Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-I, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagaras. Most of the inscriptions are in damaged condition and available as fragments during recording.

A 13^th Century latter Pandya period inscription records that the Thondaiman Gopram was constructed by Kalingarayan’s son Thondaiman, in his name and the Gopuram is still called in the same name.

The 13^th century, Pandya period inscription records that the Alangara mandapam was built by Ponpatriyudaiyan Monnaipiran Virathamudiththa Perumal alias Munaiyatharayan of Mizhalai KooRRathu NaduvirkooRRu Village called Pullurkudi.

A 13^th Century Muniyadharayan period inscription records the construction of a mandapam in his name, called as Muniyadharayan Mandapam.

A Mandapam called Sundara Pandya Kuradu was constructed by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan-I ( 1216- 1238 CE ).

Sundarapandian's (1222CE ) reign inscription records the endowment of burning 8 Perpetual lamps by his wife Thiruvudayal. For the same a land measuring 10 at called Vilakkupuram, which was in Alanattu Raja Choolamani Chaturvedi mangalam

The inscription on the south base of the Sundara Pandyan mandapam records that a Village Vilathur and its hamlets Ilongoneri In Solapandya Valanadu for meeting out the expenses of sacred bath and offerings etc, of the Alagar and his consort seated in the Sundara Pandyan Mandapam, every month, on the day of Uthiram the natal star of the King’s elder Brother ( Annalvi ). It is clear that the Mandapam was constructed at latter state.

The inscriptions engraved on the pillars speaks about the contribution made by the individuals for setting up of the pillars. Kuttan Attiyur alias Sundara Pandya Vilupparayan a Vellala residing at ThirumalirunCholai Venkurugur Nagaran Bhattan are the names of some donors that we can trace from these inscriptions.

An inscription of this temple records the provisions made for the recitation of the “Kothai Pattu” ( Pasurams of Andal ), before the deity. Another inscription records the remission of taxes at the instance of Ayyan Malavarayan, on the lands granted as devadana in Vanavan Madevi Chaturvedi Mangalam situated in Venbunadu for the offerings and other expenses of the god on the day of Sathayam in the month of Mina ( Panguni ) the natal Star of the Annalvi ( Elder brother ) Sokkandar.

Konerimai Kondan’s 20+3 year inscription records the endowment of offering to a sandhi in the name the donor by Thadanganni Chitrurudayan alias Choran Uyya NonRRaduvan alias Gurukulatharayan, for the same a land was gifted. The inscription was inscribed a sculptor called Kathangoyilasiriyan.

A 15^th Century Thirumaliruncholai Ninra Mavali Vanathirayar, a small king/ Chitrarasan inscription records that entrance with step to Thondaiman Gopuram was built by him.

The Vanathiraya’s period ( 1464 CE ) inscription records that the main sanctum Sanctorum was reconstructed from Adhistanam to finial.

A Hoysala King Veera Someswaran Period inscription records that a one kala sandhi pooja called “Veerasomeswaran sandhi”, was established on the king’s name.

Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya’s 1513 CE inscription is in the North Rajagopuram. Based on this, the rajagopuram might have been constructed during Vijayanagara period.

The 16^th Century Viswanatha Nayaka’s period inscription records the gift of a Village Amanji in Kunrathur Seermai, including the people lived in this Village as Thiruvidaiyattam to this temple.

The Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya had come to this temple and stayed here for a period 3 days.

The Third prakara wall and Thirumalai Nayakar mandapam was constructed during the reign of the popular king “Thirumalai Nayakar”. The mandapam looks like a theatre and all religious Ceremonies are conducted in this mandapam. The temple vimanam was gold plated by the Pandya King Sundarapandian during 13^th century CE and latter Thirumalai Nayak added features to this temple.

Madurai Nayaka’s period ( 1605 CE ) inscription records the endowment of Thiruvaradhanai at Thiruvenkadamudayar installed at the Village Appan Tirupati, on the way from Alagar Kovil to Madurai by Appayyangar’s son Rangaiyangar. For the same the merchants of 63 Desam, agreed to collect and pay in the Azhagar temple Pandaram. The Taxes was levied depends on the materials sold. ( Azhagar Kovil Kalvettukkal – 299 / 2003 ). The Same person Appayyangar’s son Rangaiyangar’s another inscription, records the endowment of offering Coconut, Tender Coconut, Banana and mango as Naivedyam to kallazhagar for the same the thoppus gifted as Thiruvidaiyattam at Thenur Setchi, Narinchi, Vandiyur and Silaiman Villages.

LEGENDS

Once the Hill was controlled by the Jains. Tamizhi scripts are available in the caves of the hill. A story of Shiva’s Rishabam / Idabam and cow sent by Jain monks relates to this Alagar hill and Nandi Hill.

Kallars ( Thieves ) worships Perumal of this temple before going to robbery and half of the share will be given to Perumal. Hence Kallazhagar has become the Ishta Devda for Kallars.

As per the legend, Manduga Maharishi, did a penance on Perumal on the banks of river Vaigai for his darshan. One day an young and beautiful boy riding on a horse came to the river for drinking water. Manduga Maharishi asked him who are you…?. The Young boy replied that his is Sundara Tholinan, the leader for the Kallars, comes from Vrupaksalam hill alias Cholaimalai. The Young boy asked the Mandugar, who is he and what he is doing standing in the river half in the water and half outside. Mandugar replied that, he is Mandugar ( Frog ), doing penance to have the darshan of Maha Vishnu. Further asked that, you came on the horse like Prince and I know who you are..?. Please give me your Divya roopa darshan, like in the temple. Perumal gave the Kallazhagar darshan wearing ornaments, Pattu, Peethambaram, and Srivadsam on the chest to Manduga Maharishi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Chithirai Thiruvizha, Azhagar will go to Madurai to attend Meenakshi Sundareswarar marriage. From Vaigai river he will return back. During that Thiruvizha, Ethir Seva at Tallakulam, Vandiyur Temple and Dashavatar seva, etc, will be conducted. Temple car festival will be conducted on Aadi month pournami. Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Deepavali, Pongal are also celebrated in a grand manner.