Kalamega Perumal Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Madurai Domestic Airport is at Avaniyapuram, Madurai.

• By train

  Madurai Junction is the main railway station serving the city.

Why devotees come here

Kalamega Perumal Temple is a Vishnu temple in Thirumohur, a village about 20 km from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred Vishnu temples. A five-tiered gateway tower stands in front of a huge temple tank.

Legend says Vishnu took the form of Mohini to lure the asura Bhasmasura. The place where Mohini lured him, called Moham, came to be known as Thirumohur, and the village still bears that name. Local belief also places the event at this spot, during the churning of the ocean.

The temple is glorified in the verses of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Tirumangai Alvar and Nammalvar. Early builders are thought to have been the Pandya kings, and the Madurai Nayaks added to the shrine later. An inscription names the person who built it as Kaala Maegam, also known as Kaangaeyan, from the reign of Sadaiya Varman Sundhara Pandiyan.

The sanctum houses the shrine of Kalamegha, and also has images of Bhudevi and Sridevi. The five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower, stands in front of a huge temple tank. The image of Perumal is depicted with 16 hands and three eyes, which are described as glowing like fire. During the Carnatic Wars in 1755, British general Colonel Heron looted the idols and treasures from the temple. The Kallars took the treasures back when attacked.

Festivals

• May to JuneVaikasi Brammotsavam

  The major festival of the temple. It is a ten-day celebration, held during May and June.

Tips for your visit

• Tamil Nadu Tourism lists the temple among Madurai's attractions.
• Plan the trip from Madurai city, since the temple is about 20 km away.

Questions people ask