Alagar Kovil Temple at Alagar Hills, Madurai
The ancient town of Madurai could be considered as the soul of the region. One of the oldest cities of India, this historical metropolis has been visited traders, dignitaries, emperors, and invaders – everyone coming here in search of fabled gold and riches. Most of the tourists come to this city, for the much renowned Meenakshi Amman Temple. However, the city has several other attractions that represent the culture and heritage of this place.Alagar Hills in Madurai is one such religious place that tops the itinerary of visitors coming to this stunning metropolis. The Alagar Kovil Temple dedicated to Vishnu (an important deity in Hinduism) and is considered as 108 Divyadesam (some of the important places mentioned in the doctrines of Alvar saints). Here the prime deity resides with his consort, Sri Lakshmi – the Hindu goddess of wealth and surplus.
This write-up is dedicated to helping the visitors in uncovering this beautiful temple located on the foothills of Alagar Hills.
Top Highlights of Alagar Kovil Temple
Address: Alagar Kovil, Alagar Hills, Madurai – 625301 (India)
Opening time: 6.00 am to 12.30 pm, 3.30 am to 8.00 pm
Time required: Two hours
Special attraction: Dravidian temple architecture
Entry Fee: Free
Best time to visit: July and August
How to reach: Buses or cabs can be boarded from Madurai to reach the temple
The Religious Significance of Alagar Hills in Madurai
The Alagar Hills are very important for the devotees of Vishnu due to this temple. Incidentally, this small hill shares its name with the presiding deity of the temple, Alagar. Apart from Hindu temple, several historical records have shown that the place was once habited by Jain monks. The cave inscriptions in Brahmin Scriptures also indicate this fact.Historically, the temple and the Alagar Hills were important during the Pandyan Dynasty. Several historical records and religious texts mention this temple, and how important monks (both Hindu and Jain) taught their disciples.
Glimpse Alagar Kovil Temple
Also referred to as Alagar Koil or the Kallazhagar Temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage among the Hindus. It is believed that Vishnu or Azhagarkovil (another name of Vishnu) or simply Alagar, resides in the temple, along with his divine consort Lakshmi. The main deity is carved out of a stone slab, showcasing the enhanced artistic sensibility of the people of the region.The architecture of the temple and the elaborate sculpting and mandapams (praying halls) of the temple are a fine example of the Dravidian style architecture. Each day, elaborate religious ritual is conducted, which is often witnessed by numerous devotees.
During the festive season, especially during the Chithirai Festival, the temple witnesses a huge surge in the number of devotees coming to the Madurai Alagar Hills.
The Architecture of the Alagar Kovil Temple
The temple is a fine example of the Dravidian style of architecture, with huge gopuram (gateway tower) and colorful stucco figurines. Enclosed within huge granite walls, this temple houses the stone image of the presiding deity – Vishnu along with his consort Lakshmi. Apart from the main deities, life-size sculptures of Narasimha – the lion-headed god also regarded as the incarnation of Vishnu killing a demon – could also are seen.The religious sanctuary, spread in a vast area, has a massive gopuram also houses some of the atypical Vijayanagara sculptures similar to other important temples of South India. The pillared mandapam, decorated in stunning statues, is one of the prime attractions of this temple.
According to some historical records, this temple was built by the Pandyan rulers and then further expanded during the succeeding Nayaka rule. The Kalyan mandapam of the temple premises contains murals representing Nayaka art. The temple idols represent unsurpassed craftsmanship of the artisans of that era, especially the bronzes.
Deities in the Temple
The main deity of the temple, Vishnu, has been conferred with several names including Sundarabahu Perumal, Alagar, Sundararajan, etc. Interestingly, the idol is made of pure gold and showcases the advanced artistry of the region. Apart from that, the idol of Lakshmi or Kalyana Sundaravalli – the divine consort of the lord – is also present here.Some other important deities include
• Sri Yoga Narasimhar
• Sri Andal
• Saraswathi
• Sri Sudarsanar
• Thumbikai Azhwar
Daily Pooja Timing
The pooja timings are subjected to change. The Vishva Rupam Puja begins at 6.00 A.M and then Pongal Kalam starts at 7.00 A.M. The next puja, UcchikKalam begins at noon following Sayarakchai at 5.00 P.M., Nithiyana Santhanam at 6.30 P.M, and Sampakkalam at 8.00 P.M respectively.Important Festivals at Alagar Kovil Temple
According to popular myths, Alagar or Vishnu was the brother of Meenakshi, the warrior princess of Madurai. The legend further point out that Vishnu was invited for the wedding of Meenakshi. He came down from his celestial abode but was late for the wedding. Disheartened, he turned back to River Vaigai banks. The picturesque landscape of the surrounding allured to the lord, and he decided to settle at the Alagar Hills in Madurai.The Chitra festival or Chithirai Thiruvizha is one of the most important celebrations conducted in the temple premise. Celebrated during the Tamil month Chithirai, in this festival, the idol of the deity is carried to the nearby river Vaigai. Here, symbolically the lord hears about his sister’s marriage and returns to his abode. According to temple records, during the festival the Madurai Alagar Hills is flooded with devotees and visitors who come here to take part in the festivities.
Madurai is an ancient city, with its roots entangled with the Alagar Hills. The region is one of the most important religious sites of Hinduism, where numerous devotees come here to pay their respects to the Lord and his consort.