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Azhagar Koil Sundararajaswami TempleOpen Now

Azhagar Koil Sundararajaswami Temple

Azhagar Koil, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Lord Vishnu
More in Tamil Nadu

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Vishnu

Pincode

625501

A Divya Desam Vishnu temple on the Alagar Hills, where Lord Sundararajaswami (Kallalagar — 'the beautiful rock god') is enshrined. Famous for the Chithirai festival when Lord Kallalagar is taken in a procession to the Vaigai river — a spectacle of 1 million devotees. The hillock has Murugan shrines too, creating a spiritually rich complex.

History & Significance

Significance

During the Madurai Chithirai Festival (April–May), Lord Kallalagar is ceremonially carried in procession to the Vaigai river bank to bless Lord Venkateswara's wedding to Meenakshi. The sight of the golden chariot entering the Vaigai river with lakhs of devotees is one of Tamil Nadu's most spectacular events.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Alagar Koil Temple

A Divya Desam Vishnu temple on the Alagar Hills, 21 km from Madurai, dedicated to Lord Kallazhagar. It is famous for the Chithirai festival, when the deity is carried down from the hills into the Vaigai river to 'meet' his sister Meenakshi ahead of her temple wedding in Madurai.

Photo sourced from Wikipedia article "Alagar Kovil" — CC-licensed via Wikimedia Commons

Alagar Koil Temple

Alagar Koil, Tamil Nadu2 km
Lord Ranganatha

Subramanya

The sixth Arupadaiveedu — a forest shrine of Lord Murugan on the Alagar Hills, 24 km from Madurai. Unique for its lush forest setting; the deity is approached by a winding jungle path. Easily combined with a Madurai temple visit.

Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple

Alagar Koil, Tamil Nadu5 km
Lord Subramanya

Subramanya

The first of the six Arupadaiveedu (abodes of Lord Murugan), carved into a rock hill 8 km from Madurai. Murugan is said to have married Devasena (Devayanai) here after the war with Soorapadman. The cave temple dates from the Pandya period.

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple

Thiruparankundram, Tamil Nadu15 km
Lord Subramanya

Subramanya

The first of the six Arupadaiveedu, sacred abodes of Lord Murugan, carved into a rock hill 8 km from Madurai and dating back over a thousand years. It commemorates Murugan's marriage to Deivayanai after his victory over the demon Surapadman, and is among the oldest rock-cut cave temples in Tamil Nadu.

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple

Thiruparankundram, Tamil Nadu15 km
Lord Subramanya