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Azhagar Koil
Azhagar Koil is a famous Vishnu Temple, 21 km away
from Madurai and dedicated to Lord Alagar. This temple is at the
southern end of the hill Alagarmalai. The temple is located amidst
very picturesque surroundings.
The Lord here is known as Soundar-raja Perumal because of his
immense beauty and is considered as Goddess Meenakshi's brother. The
Lord resides here with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi to bless
the people. During the annual Chithirai Festival in Madurai in
April/May, when the marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar is
celebrated, Azhagar travels to Madurai.
The temple is very old and had attracted pilgrims even in the early
days of the Sangam age. Nakkirar, the Tamil poet has composed
several popular poems about this deity. The impressive main tower of
the temple is built by Pandyan Kings. After the Pandyas and the
Vijayanagar Kings, the Madurai Nayaks became very devoted to this
temple and had made significant donations to the temple.
The place is well connected by road to Madurai and thousands of
pilgrims reach the temple during the Chithirai festival. The place
has guesthouses, lodges, restaurants and other lodging facilities
for the tourists.
Pazhamudhircholai
Pazhamudhircholai is one of the six abodes of Lord
Subramanya is on the Alagarmalai, about 4 kms. above Azhagar Koil. A
natural spring called Nuburagangai where pilgrims bath, is located
here.
It is said that it was here that the Lord Karthikeya(Muruga) offered
black berries to his devotee Avvayar, the great Tamil Female Saint.
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