Alagar kovil
Alagar kovil is a village in Madurai district in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu. The history and living of the village is centered around Kallazhar Temple. Constructed in the Dravidan style of architecture., the temple is glorified in the Divya prabhandha, 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.
As Alagar returns from Vandiyur Dhasavatharam festival is celebrated throughout the night at Ramarayar Mandapam in the Northern part of river Vaigai. After this event Alagar is taken to Mysore Veera Mandapam on decorated Anantharayar Palanquin. The next morning Alagar in the form of Kallar returns to Alagar kovil in ‘Poo Pallakku'(Palanquin decorated with flowers)
Kallazhagar temple covers
an area of about 2 acres (0.81 hectares) and has a five-tiered gopuram (gateway
tower). The temple in enclosed in a rectangular enclosure with huge granite
walls. The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Sundarabahu
Perumal in standing posture. The images of Sridevi and Bhudevi are
also housed in the sanctum. There two life size images of Narasimha and,
the avatar of Vishnu. One of them is shown holding the demon Hiranya
and other slaying him.
The temple houses some
rare Vijayanagar sculptures similar to the ones present in Soundararaja Perumal
Temple Thadikombu krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple,Srivilliputhur divya
desam and Jalakandeswarar temple vellore.
Chithirai Festival
Chithirai festival of
this temple celebrated for ten days is one of the declared festivals of
Tamilnadu Government. This festival day is declared as Local Holiday. In
Chithirai (April-May), Lord Kallalagar starts from Alagar kovil in the form of
Kallar and reaches Madurai on Pournami (Full Moon day). Here he steps into
river Vaigai in his Horse Vaganam. Lakhs of devotees flock to river Vaigai to
see this event. "Ethir Sevai" festival is celebrated on the day
before Alagar steps into river Vaigai. It is a tradition for the people of
Madurai to welcome Alagar.
As Alagar returns from Vandiyur Dhasavatharam festival is celebrated throughout the night at Ramarayar Mandapam in the Northern part of river Vaigai. After this event Alagar is taken to Mysore Veera Mandapam on decorated Anantharayar Palanquin. The next morning Alagar in the form of Kallar returns to Alagar kovil in ‘Poo Pallakku'(Palanquin decorated with flowers)
In the month of April and
may, each year the great Chitra festival is celebrated on Pournami (full moon
day). The Festival dramatically re enacts the visitation of Lord Kallalagar to
Madurai from Alagarkoil . Lakhs of devotees flock to river Vaigai to personally
witness the event of lord Alagar stepping down into the river and to get his
blessings.
During the months of July
and August the festival of Aadi Brahmmorchavam is being celebrated for 10 days.
This festival occurs within the precincts of the shrine. Devotees from
different parts of Tamilnadu throng to participate in this festival. The temple
car ‘Amaiththa Narayanan’ is taken in procession during Pournami (Full-Moon
day) of Aadi (Brahmotchavam).
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