Alagar Kovil

Getting there

• By air

  Madurai Domestic Airport is at Avaniyapuram.

• By train

  Madurai Junction is the major railway station serving Madurai.

Why devotees come here

Alagar Kovil is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the shrines dedicated to Vishnu. It stands in Alagar Koyil village in Madurai district. Vishnu is worshipped here as Kallalagar, with his consort Lakshmi as Thirumagal.

Alagar Kovil is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the temples dedicated to Vishnu. The Azhvar saints praised it in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, an early medieval Tamil canon dated to the 6th to 9th centuries CE. The presiding deity stands in the central shrine, worshipped as Kallalagar.

Legend says sage Suthapava was cursed by the sage Durvasa to become a frog. Vishnu appeared here as Kallalagar to free him from the curse. Another legend says Yama, the deity of death, worshipped the deity here.

The temple covers about 2 acres and has a seven-tiered gateway tower. Inside are two life-size images of Narasimha, one shown holding the demon Hiranya and the other slaying him. The temple also houses some rare Vijayanagara sculptures, and King Thirumalai Nayak built the Thennur Mandapam.

Festivals

• Chithirai month (April to May)Chithirai Thiruvila

  The festival celebrates the marriage of Meenakshi, and it is held every year.

• Masi month (February to March)Masi float festival

  A float festival and one of the most prominent events at the temple.

• September to OctoberNavaratri

  Navaratri is celebrated at the temple in this season.

• Margazhi month (December to January)Vaikunta Ekadashi

  One of the most prominent festivals here.

Tips for your visit

• The Karuppuswami shrine door opens only once a year, in the Aadi month (July to August).
• The Manduka Maharishi ritual is held at the Thennur Mandapam, the hall King Thirumalai Nayak built.
• During the Chithirai festival, the Ethir Sevai begins on the fourth day, when Alagar enters Madurai.

Questions people ask