This Koodal Azhagar Temple is one of the 108 Diva Desams of Maha
Vishnu and the 101st Divya Desam. Mangalasasanam was done by
Thirumalisai Alwar, Thirumangai Alwar and Perialwar. This is an updated post written along with Kallalazhagar alias Thirumalirunjolai temple.
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 faces east with a 5-tier
Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam is at the entrance of the Moolavar sanctum.
There are two 4-pillar mandapams on both sides of Dwajasthambam. Garudan and balipeedam are after the dwajasthambam. Kostas is 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 an 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 outside. Panjaras are in between karnapathi and salaipathi. The
pilasters on the bhitti are with squatting lion, Vishnu kantha pilasters,
kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, 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 images of various deities. The Vimanam has stucco images of Poovarahar, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Lakshmi Narayan, Alwars,
Acharyas, etc.
PC Website
The Moolavar at the Ground level is in a sitting posture under the
hood of Adiseshan, about 6 feet high. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides.
While his upper hands are holding Conch and chakra, his lower right hand is in abhaya
hastam, and his left hand is in chin mudra.
PC: Web site
The Moolavar in the second tala is called Surya Narayana. Here, Perumal is in a standing posture, and Sridevi & Bhudevi are on both sides. While
Perumal’s upper hands are holding conch and Chakra, his lower hands are in abhaya
and varada hastam. All three images are made of stucco and painted green. The walls have herbal paintings of Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Shri Shiva, and Ashtadikpalakas.
PC: Website
The Moolavar in the third tier is called Parkadal Nathar and is in a reclining posture on Adhiseshan. Perumal is painted in green. Brahma is
sitting on a Lotus that 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 color.
PC: Website
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 varada hastam. Navagraha Sannidhi
is in this temple, which is a unique feature of this temple.
Andal is also in a separate temple like sannidhi but
comparatively Small to Thayar Sannidhi. Andal is in a standing posture.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Alwars belongs to the 7th
to 8th century and Mangalasasnam of this temple was done by them, the
temple may have 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 that 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 the Muslim invasion in the 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 the 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 being captured by the British.
The temple was completely renovated
during the Nayakas period (1547 CE) in the 16th Century, which includes Kodimaram
mandapam and some mandapams. Some of the structures, like mandapas, were built
during the 20th Century, and Rajagopuram was built in the year 1945 CE.
Ref
South Indian Inscriptions
LEGENDS
As per the legend, Brahma’s son
Sanath Kumarar did penance on Mahavishnu in this place for Maha Vishnu’s Archavatar
darshan. Maha Vishnu, along with Sridevi and Bhudevi, gave darshan. Sanath Kumarar
asked 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 has existed since the Kirutha yuga. Hence Perumal is called Yugam kanda Perumal.
During Pallava King Vallaba Deva’s
reign, Periyalwar proved that Sriman Narayanan was the only ParamporuL/superior in
the court. The king took him in
procession on the Royal elephant. When Koodal Azhagar gave him a darshan on Garuda
vahana, Periyalwar praised the beauty of Perumal and sang the Thirupallandu. In
remembrance of that incident, it is still celebrated in the Margazhi month as
“Paraththuva Nirnayam”.
.JPG)
PC. Website
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 4 madas, this place is called 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 a success if
correct planning – Vyuham- is done. Hence, it is believed that any effort
after praying to the Utsava murti of this temple will become a 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 pray to Koodal Azhagar and
Thayar to remove marriage obstacles, child boon, etc. It is also believed that
the prayer offered to Perumal will become a success after praying for 48 days (one
mandalam).
THE TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is kept open between 06.30 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00
hours to 19.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The telephone number is +91452 2338542
E-mail address is: arulmiguperumal@yahoo.co.in
The temple website
is: http://www.koodalalagarthirukkoil.org/structure.php
HOW TO REACH
This Koodal Azhagar temple is close to the Periyar Bus stand ( 500 meters ).
This temple is about 1 km from the Meenakshi Amman temple, 1.3 km from Madurai Junction, 22 km from Azhagar
kovil, 140 km from Trichy, and 461 km from Chennai.
The nearest Railway station is Madurai
Junction.
PC Website
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--- OM SHIVAYA
NAMA ---
Waiting for the day to go to this temple.
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