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| Koodal Azhagar Perumal temple, Madurai. 3.bp.blogspot.com |
The 5 tiered gopuram (125 feet tall) forms the main entrance gate of this temple. The temple was built by Pandya rulers and later by the Vijayanagara rulers. Madurai Nayaks made additional contribution to the temple structure. The latter rulers built pillared hall (mantap) during the 16th century. The Dwajasthambam (flag staff) mantap and the hall before the Hema Pushkarani were onstructed by the Madurai Nayaks.
When the famous celestial wedding (Meenakshi Thirukalyanam) was fixed between Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswar (Lord Shiva), it was Lord Kallazhagar who gave his sister as kannika dhanam. Because of flood in the Vaigai river Vishnu was unable to attend the wedding and, however, the Kannika Dhanam took place at the auspicious hours with the help of Koodal Azhagar Perumal.
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| Koodal Azhagar Perumal temple, Madurai. 3.bp.blogspot.com |
An interesting feature worthy of note is that here you can see Vishnu in three postures - standing, sitting and reclining; all under the same vimanam. Here goddess Maduravalli thayar is in Padmasana (sitting) posture and she is believed to be Padhi Thanda Pathni ( meaning one who does not leave the confines of the her abode - garbagraha).
The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavites and that of Vaikasana aagama. In modern times, the temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day (Aarukala Puja).
It is said that Lord Azhagar gave darshan to the sounakas, Brighurishi and Periazhwar, a high priest in the Vatapatra Saayi temple at Srivilliputtur. His original name was `Vishnuchitta', a scholar in Vaishnavism and took pleasure in doing Kainkarya to the lord. Sri Vallabha Deva was then ruler in the Pandyan kingdom with Madurai as his capital. He had a very devoted minister and priest called Selva Nambi. Once a satsangh was held at the request of a Pandya ruler. Periyazwar won the battle of wits and got a bag of gold coins with which he built the Srivilliputur temple. When he got the honor from the Pandya ruler Lord Vishnu himself blessed Periazhawar.
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| Saint Periazhwar at Koodal Azhagar perumal temple, Madurai anudinam.org |
Tit-bits:
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| srimad-azhagiya singar-mangalasasanam-at-koodal-azhagar-temple anudinam.org |
https://www.thehindu.com/mp/2004/09/06/stories/2004090601960400.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koodal_Azhagar_templ
https://www.srikri.com/2015/02/madurai-koodal-azhagar-perumal-and.html?