This Koodal Azhagar Temple is one of the 108 Diva Desams of Maha Vishnu and 101st Divya Desam. Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumalisai Alwar, Thirumangai Alwar and Perialwar.
The popular “Thirupallandu”, hymns recited in all the vaishnavite temples belongs to this temple, composed by Periyalwar. This temple is located in heart of the Madurai city. Maha Vishnu of this temple was praised by Periyalwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar and Thirumangai Alwar.
பல்லாண்டு பல்லாண்டு பல்லாயிரத்தாண்டு
பல கோடி நூறாயிரம்
மல்லாண்ட திண்தோள் மணிவண்ணா! உன்
சேவடி செவ்வி திருக்காப்பு
அடியோடும் நின்னோடும் பிரிவின்றி ஆயிரம்பல்லாண்டு
வடிவாய்நின் வலமார்பினில் வாழ்கின்ற மங்கையும் பல்லாண்டு வடிவார்சோதி வலத்துறையும் சுடராழியும் பல்லாண்டு
படைபோர்புக்கு முழங்கும் அப்பாஞ்சசன்னியமும் பல்லாண்டே.
…. பெரியாழ்வார்
அழைப்பன் திருவேங்கடத்தானைக் காண
இழைப்பன் திருக் கூடல் கூட – மழைப்பே
ரருவி மணி வரன்றி வந்திழிய யானை
வெருவி யரவொடுங்கும் வெற்பு
திருமிழசை ஆழ்வார் நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதி – 39
கோழியும் கூடலும் கோயில் கொண்ட கோவலரே ஒப்பர், குன்றமன்ன
பாழியந்தோளும் ஓர் நான்குடையர் பண்டு இவர் தம்மையும் கண்டறியோம்
வாழியரோ இவர் வண்ணம் எண்ணில் மா கடல் போன்றுளர், கையில் வெய்ய
ஆழி யொன்றேந்தி ஓர் சங்கு பற்றி அச்சோ ஒருவ ரழகிய வா!
….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் –பெரிய திருமொழி -9-2-5-
Moolavar : Sri Koodalagar
Utsavar : Vyuha Sundararaja Perumal
Thayar : Sri Amirthavalli Thayar, Sri Maduravalli
Some of the important features of this temple are :
The temple facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam is at the entrance of the Moolavar sanctum. There are two 4 pillar mandapam on both sides of Dwajasthambam. Garudan and Balipeedam are after the dwajasthambam. Kostas are with painted images.
The moolavar in sanctum Sanctorum is in three different forms, ie Nindran ( Standing ), Irundhan ( Sitting posture ) and Kidanthan ( reclining posture). All the three are in three levels, one above the other.
Chakrathalwar sannidhi is at the centre. In prakaram Vahana mandapam, Lakshmi Narasimhar ( a relief in a stone slab ) and Navagrahas. In the Outer prakaram Andal, Manavala Muni, Alwars, Vishwaksena, Ramar, Krishna, Anjaneya, Garudan and Lakshmi Narasimhar. In the temple nandhavanam, Krishnan and sthala vruksham is Plantain tree.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. Utsava murtis are in maha mandapam. The Vimanam is ashtanga Vimanam like Uthiramerur, to accommodate Perumal on three levels, in Standing, seating and reclining postures. The Vimanam is with three thalas. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upana. The Koshtas are padre Kostas, little protruding out side. Panjaras are in between karnapathi and salaipathi. The pilasters on the bhitti are with squatting lion, Vishnu kantha pilasters, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palagai, veera kandam and pushba pothyals. Stucco images are in the Vimanas Salaipathi, aharai and Karnapathi. The Prastaram consists of Valapi with madhalai, Kapotam with Nasi kudus and Simha / Viyyalavari. The nasi kudus has the images of various deities. The Vimanam has the stucco images of Poovarahar, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Lakshmi Narayan, Alwars, Acharyas etc,.
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The Moolavar at the Ground level is in Sitting posture under the hood of adhiseshan, about 6 feet high. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides. While his upper hands are holding Conch and chakra, lower right hand is in Abhaya hastam and left hand is in chin mudra.
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The Moolavar in the second thala is called Surya Narayana. Here Perumal is in standing posture and Sridevi & Bhudevi are on both sides. While Perumal’s upper hands are holding conch and Chakra, lower hands are in abhaya and varada hastam. All the three images are made of stucco, painted in green colour. The walls has the herbal paintings of Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Shri Shiva and Ashtadikpalakas.
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The Moolavar in the third tier is called as Parkadal Nathar in reclining posture on Adhiseshan. Perumal is painted in green Colour. Brahma is sitting on a Lotus which emerges from Perumal’s naval. Adiseshan’s image in anjali hastam is also on Perumal’s head side. Krishna and Arjuna's images are also found in the sanctum painted in blue colour.
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Thayar Maduravalli’s Sannidhi is little big built with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, mukha mandapam and prakara. Thayar is in sitting posture with abhaya and varda hastam. Navagraha Sannidhi is in this temple, which is an unique feature of this temple.
Andal is also in a separate temple like sannidhi but comparatively Small with Thayar Sannidhi. Andal is in standing posture.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Alwars belongs to 7th to 8th century and Mangalasasanam of this temple was done by them, the temple may be existed 7th to 8th century, built by early Pandyas and the present structure belongs to Vijayanagaras, Nayakas ( inscription 557 - 559 ). This temple was called different names like, Thirukoodal, Kathali vana Kshetram, Koodalambadi, Then Madurai etc, since ancient times. The antiquity of the temple can be seen from the Paripadal, an ancient literature / Sangam period praises Koodal Azhagar and this place as Irunthaiyur.
வானார் எழிலி மழைவளம் நந்தத்
தேனார் சிமய மலையின் இழி தந்து
நான் மாடக் கூடல் எதிர்கொள்ள, ஆனா
மருந்தாகும் தீநீர் மலிதுறை மேய
இருந்தையூர் அமர்ந்த செல்வாநின்
திருந்தடி தலையுறப் பரவுதும் தொழுதே”
During Muslims invasion, in 14th Century, the temple was protected by Tiruvaimozhi Pillai ( 1307 CE ), who belongs to Kundhi Nagar ( Konthagai ) an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu, Prime minister in the Pandya country and Guru of Manavala Mamunigal.
During Chandasahib’s reign, Madurai was added to ManaMadurai and Utsava Murti along with Meenakshi Sundareswarar was shifted to Manamadurai. The same were brought back to their original places during Maratha period by Murari Rao.
It is believed that ( from unconfirmed sources ) Kattabomman’s brother Oomadurai was hiding in this temple for some days before captured by the British.
The temple was completely renovated during Nayaka's period ( 1547 CE ) 16th Century, which includes Kodimaram mandapam and some mandapams. Some of the structures like mandapas are built during 20th Century and Rajagopuram was built in the year 1945 CE.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, Brahma’s son Sanath kumarar did a penance on Mahavishnu in this place for Maha Vishnu’s Archavatar darshan. Maha Vishnu along with Sridevi and Bhudevi gave darshan. Sanath kumarar asked to Deva sculptor Viswakarma to make Maha Vishnu, as per the darshan, he had seen. Then he Installed Maha Vishnu under this ashtanga Vimanam. It is believed that this temple exists since Kirutha yuga. Hence Perumal is called as Yugam kanda Perumal.
During A pallava King Vallaba Deva’s reign Periyalwar proved Sriman Narayanan is the only paramporuL / superior in the court. The king took him in procession on the Royal elephant. When Koodal Azhagar gave him darshan on Garuda vahana, Periyalwar praised the beauty of Perumal and sung the Thirupallandu. In remembrance of that incidence, still it is celebrated Margazhi month as “Paraththuva Nirnayam”.
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In another legend, it was raining heavily in Madurai. People prayed to Maha Vishnu to save them from this heavy rain. Maha Vishnu sent 4 big clouds, which joined together and formed as 4 madas. This saved the people from the rain. Since the 4 clouds joined together and formed as 4 madas, this place is called as Nanmada Koodal or the Koodal Ma Nagar.
The Sthala purana, mentions that marriage was conducted to Uma, who was born to Somasundara Pandian with Shiva, who was born as Sundara Pandyan by Koodal Azhagar.
Any effort, will become success, if correct planning – Vyuham- is done. Hence it is believed that any effort after praying the Utsava murti of this temple will become success, hence Utsava murti is called “Vyuha Sundararaja Perumal”.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from 4 Kala regular poojas as per Vaikhanasa agama, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Navaratri, Purattasi Saturdays, Avani Thiruvonam, etc, Theppa utsavam will be conducted in the month of Masi, Maha nakshatra day.
People prays to Koodal Azhagar and Thayar to remove marriage obstacle, child boon etc,. It is also believed that the prayer offered to Perumal, will become success after praying 48 days ( one mandalam ).
THE TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is kept open between 06.30 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 19.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The telephone number is +91452 2338542
E-mail address is : arulmiguperumal@yahoo.co.in
The temple web site is : http://www.koodalalagarthirukkoil.org/structure.php
HOW TO REACH
This Koodal Azhagar temple is close to Periyar Bus stand ( 500 meters ).
This temple is about 1 KM from Meenakshi Amman temple, 1.3 KM from Madurai Junction, 22 KM from Azhagar kovil, 140 KM from Trichy and 461 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Madurai Junction.
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--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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