Situated at a distance of 20 km northwest of
Madurai in
Tamil Nadu, Azhagar Koil is devoted to Lord
Vishnu as Azhagar. The deity is also known as 'Kalazhagar,' as he is the family god of the Kallas.
Built in 3 tiers, the temple depicts Lord Vishnu in 3 postures – sitting, standing and reclining. There are full-size sculptures carved in the stone Mandapam built by Tirumalai Naicken, the famous Naicken king. Azhagar Koil faces east and a hill, 1,000 ft in height, is in the southern side. The water from the hill flows into a tank in the temple and the pilgrims bath in it before entering the temple.
Ruins of an old fortified town are around the temple. One has to cross the gateways of the ruined town to get inside the temple. Azhagapuri, the residential palace of Tirumalai Naicken was here.
Arthajama puja, a kind of ritual, is performed daily in this temple. Chithirai festival (Azhagar thiruvizha) is celebrated in April-May in the remembrance of the celestial marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswar. A gold processional icon ‘Sundararaja’ is carried during the procession from Azhagar Koil to Madurai for the wedding ceremony.
The nearest airport and railway junction is at Madurai. Town buses, suburban buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available to reach the temple.
