Kallalagar temple

Kallalagar Temple (Kallazhagar Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in Alagar Koyil, a village in Madurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Kallalagar, and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumagal.

This temple is called as Thirumaliruncholai in Sangam literatures and Naalayira Divya Prabandham sung by Tamil Alvar saints.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a seven-tiered rajagopuram. The temple is surrounded by a large fort, part of which is dilapidated.

Kallalagar is believed to have appeared to redeem sage Suthapava off his curse from Sage Durvasa. The temple follows Tenkalai tradition of worship. Six daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the float festival during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March), Navrathri during September–October and Vaikunta Ekadashi during Margali (December–January) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

As per Hindu legend, Sage Suthapas was taking bath in Nupura Ganga at Alagar Hill and did not pay heed to sage Durvasa, who was passing by. The enraged Durvasa cursed Suthapas that he would turn into a frog until he is redeemed of his curse by Sundararajar, who is also known as Kallalagar. Suthapas Maharishi, who is named as ‘Manduka maharisi’ because of his frog form, performed penance on the banks of river Vaigai, which is otherwise known as Vegavathi, at Thenur. Kallalagar descended from his abode in Alagar Hill to redeem Manduka Maharishi off his curse. Since days unknown, it is believed that Kallalagar comes to Thenur via Malaipatti, Alanganallur and Vayalur. In Thenur Mandap, the lord redeems the sage of his curse and leaves for his abode. “During Thirumalai Nayak regime (1623 to 1659 CE), in 1653 the Manduka Maharishi relieving ritual was shifted to Vandiyur village where the event is performed at Thennur Mandapam, built by Thirumalai Nayak himself,”.

As per another Hindu legend, the presiding deity was worshiped by Yama, the god of death. He requested Vishnu to stay in the place and built a temple with the help of Vishvakarma, the divine architect.