- Deity
- Lord Vishnu as Kallalagar (Sundararaja Perumal)
- Distance from Madurai
- About 20 km
- Timings
- 5:30 am to 12 noon, 4 pm to 8:30 pm
- Main festival
- Chithirai festival (April–May)
- Nearby shrine
- Pazhamudircholai, about 4 km uphill
Legend
The best-known story concerns the sage Suthapa. Absorbed in his bath at the Nupura Ganga spring on the hill, he failed to greet the visiting sage Durvasa, whose curse turned him into a frog. Suthapa, now called Manduka Maharishi, prayed on the banks of the Vaigai, and Kallalagar came down from the hills to free him.
Another tale says Yama, the god of death, worshipped here and asked Vishnu to remain on these hills for ever.
The Chithirai festival
Every April–May, Kallalagar travels in procession from the hills towards Madurai, passing through villages on the way. Tradition says he was going to attend the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar but arrived too late and turned back after entering the Vaigai river. His entry into the river draws enormous crowds. In the 17th century, under Thirumalai Nayak, the ritual for Manduka Maharishi was shifted to a mandapam at Vandiyur.
Worship and other festivals
The temple follows the Thenkalai tradition and holds six daily pujas. Besides Chithirai, it celebrates a float festival in February–March, Navaratri in September–October and Vaikunta Ekadasi in December–January. Tall gopurams and pillared mandapams with fine carvings reflect the classic South Indian style. The temple is managed by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department.
Pazhamudircholai
About 4 km up the hill is Pazhamudircholai, the sixth of Murugan's six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu). Further up is the Rakkayi Amman shrine beside the Nupura Ganga spring, where pilgrims bathe before worship. Vehicles are not allowed up the hill after 6 pm.
Timings and tips
Alagar Kovil opens at 5:30 am and closes at noon, then reopens from 4 pm until 8:30 pm. Pazhamudircholai is open from 6 am to 6 pm. Free darshan queues are available. Wear traditional, modest clothing: for men, a dhoti or trousers with a shirt or angavastram; for women, a sari, salwar kameez or churidar with a dupatta. We can combine Alagar Kovil with Madurai's Meenakshi Temple in a day.
Also nearby
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