Kallazhagar Temple
| Kallazhagar temple | |
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 Kallazhagar temple
Location in Madurai
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| Name | |
| Proper name | Koodalazhagar |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 10°04′27″N 78°12′52″E / 10.074136°N 78.214356°ECoordinates: 10°04′27″N 78°12′52″E / 10.074136°N 78.214356°E |
| Country | India |
| State/province | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Madurai |
| Locale | Madurai |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Kallazhagar (Vishnu) |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
| History and governance | |
| Website | alagarkovil |
Kallazhagar Temple in Alagar Koyil, a village in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Kallazhagar and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumamagal.
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.
Kallazhagar is believed to have appeared sage Suthapava. The temple follows Thenkalai 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 Ekadasi during Margazhi (December–January) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
As per Hindu legend, sage Suthapas was taking bath in Nupura Ganga at Azhagar 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 Kallazhagar. 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. Kallazhagar descended from his abode in Azhagar Hill to redeem Manduka Maharishi off his curse. Since days unknown, it is believed that Kallazhagar 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 AD), 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 worshipped by Yama, the god of death. He requested Vishnu to stay in the place and built a temple with the help of Vishwakarma, the divine architect.
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