Azhagiyasingar Temple, Thiruvali

Getting there

• By air

  The state tourism page names Trichy International Airport for the area, about 150 km from Mayiladuthurai town.

• By train

  Mayiladuthurai Junction is an important junction on the main line connecting Chennai with Trichy.

• By road

  State highways connect Mayiladuthurai town with Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Sirkali.

Why devotees come here

Azhagiyasingar Temple stands in Thiruvali village, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. Vishnu is worshipped here as Alagiyasingar, and the granite image of the presiding deity has Lakshmi seated on his lap, on the right side.

Vishnu is worshipped here as Alagiyasingar, with his consort Lakshmi as Purnavalli. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the Tamil canon of the Alvar saints. Legend says Alagiyasingar appeared to Thirumangai Alvar at this place. Another legend tells how Vishnu turned the robber Sangabalan into Thirumangai Alvar by reciting a mantra in his ears.

The temple is built in the Dravidian style, and a granite wall surrounds it, enclosing all its shrines. The temple is believed to have been built by the Cholas. The Vijayanagara and Thanjavur Nayak kings added to it in the 16th century. The presiding image is made of granite and sits in a seated pose, with Lakshmi on his lap on the right side. Kulasekara Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar revered the temple in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Festivals

• Aani (June to July)Pavitrotsavam

  Held during the Tamil month of Aani.

• Panguni (March to April)Panguni Uthiram

  Held during the Tamil month of Panguni.

Tips for your visit

• If you stay in Mayiladuthurai town, Tranquebar, Poompuhar and the Pichavaram mangroves are among the attractions nearby.
• The temple also holds a ten-day Vaikasi Swathi festival, and Swathi is celebrated every month.

Questions people ask