Main Deity - Lord Sundara Raja Perumal
The main deity of Alagar malai,"The Sundara Raja Perumal".The newly constructed temple has Lord Vinayaga at the entrance while Lord Sundararaja Perumal (Kallazhagar) stands with his consorts – Sri Devi and Boo Devi. Lord Karudalwar stands at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum facing the deities.The architecture of the Azhagar temple corresponds to any of those of south Indian temples, with large gopurams and pillared mandapams.The style of the buildings denote, 3rd or early 4th Century construction.
Some research scholars opine that this was earlier a Jain temple, (the somaskanda vimanam for instance) but which however was later converted into a Vishnu temple. It is true that during archeological excavations, many Jain caves and inscriptions were found in the same hill around this temple. However, the famous Vaishnava works in Tamil, belonging to the early 4th to 6th Centuries point that to this temple as a Vishnu temple. The famous Silapadikaram too, that belongs to the 3rd Century AD, points out to this temple as a Vishnu temple.
The Azhagar Hills has a tropical forest cover which extend from Azhagar Kovil in the south to Natham in the north. The Tamil Nadu state forest department has been maintaining a herbal garden on the hills.The entrance to the garden is restricted to siddha research scholars. The garden is irrigated by a natural spring locally known as the devi theertham.
Guardian of Azhagar Malai - 18-steps Karuppanasamy
After finishing the prayers in the temple,be prepare to climb by walk or in the vehicle to the top of the hill,there we have the dharsan(worship) of Lord Muruga of Palamuthircholai and Goddess sri Raakachi Amman. To reach the top of the hill,the temple's van has been arranged with nominal charges.Now we are going to see the two important Shrines of Alagar malai.
Palamuthircholai
Raakachi Amman Theertha thotti of Noobura Gangai (Holy spring 'Noobura Gangai).
Lord Vinayagar under the "Naaval tree" where lord Muruga asked the Tamil poetess Avaiyaar whether She wanted the "Sutta palam" or the "Sudhatha palam"
We should first worship the Lord Vinayaga, sitting under the Naaval fruit tree, since He is the "Aathimoola porul" .
Palamuthircholai - The sixth Abode of Lord Muruga:
The main deity of Alagar malai,"The Sundara Raja Perumal".The newly constructed temple has Lord Vinayaga at the entrance while Lord Sundararaja Perumal (Kallazhagar) stands with his consorts – Sri Devi and Boo Devi. Lord Karudalwar stands at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum facing the deities.The architecture of the Azhagar temple corresponds to any of those of south Indian temples, with large gopurams and pillared mandapams.The style of the buildings denote, 3rd or early 4th Century construction.
Some research scholars opine that this was earlier a Jain temple, (the somaskanda vimanam for instance) but which however was later converted into a Vishnu temple. It is true that during archeological excavations, many Jain caves and inscriptions were found in the same hill around this temple. However, the famous Vaishnava works in Tamil, belonging to the early 4th to 6th Centuries point that to this temple as a Vishnu temple. The famous Silapadikaram too, that belongs to the 3rd Century AD, points out to this temple as a Vishnu temple.
The Azhagar Hills has a tropical forest cover which extend from Azhagar Kovil in the south to Natham in the north. The Tamil Nadu state forest department has been maintaining a herbal garden on the hills.The entrance to the garden is restricted to siddha research scholars. The garden is irrigated by a natural spring locally known as the devi theertham.
Guardian of Azhagar Malai - 18-steps Karuppanasamy
After finishing the prayers in the temple,be prepare to climb by walk or in the vehicle to the top of the hill,there we have the dharsan(worship) of Lord Muruga of Palamuthircholai and Goddess sri Raakachi Amman. To reach the top of the hill,the temple's van has been arranged with nominal charges.Now we are going to see the two important Shrines of Alagar malai.
Palamuthircholai
Raakachi Amman Theertha thotti of Noobura Gangai (Holy spring 'Noobura Gangai).
Lord Vinayagar under the "Naaval tree" where lord Muruga asked the Tamil poetess Avaiyaar whether She wanted the "Sutta palam" or the "Sudhatha palam"
We should first worship the Lord Vinayaga, sitting under the Naaval fruit tree, since He is the "Aathimoola porul" .
Palamuthircholai - The sixth Abode of Lord Muruga:
Palamuthircholai is situated 19 kilometres from the temple town of Madurai. The place is full of natural beauty and sylvan surroundings. This hill is also known as Vrishabhadri or Idabagiri. At the foot of the hill is situated Azhakar Kovil, which is one among the 108 divyadesams sanctified by the hymns of Azhwars sung in praise of the Vishnu enshrined in this temple. Atop the hill Lord Muruga stands majestically in the temple as the Lord of the Hills popularly known as Kurinji Nilakkizhavan in Tamil. The temple of Pazhamutircolai can be reached by a motorable road leading to the hill.
Pazhamuthircholai is mentioned as the sixth of Lord Murugan's Aru Patai Veedukal, the six holiest Murugan shrines described by sangam poet Nakkirar in his poem Tirumurukarruppadai. Regarding the identity of the sixth major site, there is no consensus among scholars and many local temples are ascribed the distinction. Most scholars, priests and devotees identify Palamuthircholai with the shrine of Palamuthircholai, twelve miles north of Madurai in the Alagar Hills, above the Alagarcoil Vishnu temple. While this temple is not as large or bustling as the other five recognized shrines, it is just as incredible to visit.
This shrine is located on the northern outskirts of Madurai in a pleasant wooded hill not far from Alagar Visnu Kovil, a fortified temple complex revered as one of the 108 abodes of Vishnu glorified by the hymns of the Alwars. At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Raakachi Amman. The Nupura Ganga atop the hill is said to originated from the anklet of Tirumal or Visnu and hence the name of the spring. It is said that sitting in the madavi mandapa near the spring Ilangovadigal wrote one of the five mahakavyas in Tamil, viz., Silappatikaram. Even today the place is very fertile with many trees and different flora and fauna, a standing testimony to the vivid description of the place's natural beauty as found in Tirumurugattruppadai of Nakkeerar.
Though the sthala is of ancient origin, the temple as in existence today was constructed only recently. " Vel" has been worshipped as the moolavar or main deity. The idol of Lord Muruga in a standing posture has a single face and four hands with Valli and Teyvayanai on both sides. The Vel made up of stone is of special significance and is worshipped with a great veneration by devotees.
This shrine is located on the northern outskirts of Madurai in a pleasant wooded hill not far from Alagar Visnu Kovil, a fortified temple complex revered as one of the 108 abodes of Vishnu glorified by the hymns of the Alwars. At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Raakachi Amman. The Nupura Ganga atop the hill is said to originated from the anklet of Tirumal or Visnu and hence the name of the spring. It is said that sitting in the madavi mandapa near the spring Ilangovadigal wrote one of the five mahakavyas in Tamil, viz., Silappatikaram. Even today the place is very fertile with many trees and different flora and fauna, a standing testimony to the vivid description of the place's natural beauty as found in Tirumurugattruppadai of Nakkeerar.
Though the sthala is of ancient origin, the temple as in existence today was constructed only recently. " Vel" has been worshipped as the moolavar or main deity. The idol of Lord Muruga in a standing posture has a single face and four hands with Valli and Teyvayanai on both sides. The Vel made up of stone is of special significance and is worshipped with a great veneration by devotees.
Goddess Sri Raakachi Amman
When the Lord Vishnu took the incarnation as thiru Vikrama avathaaram, HE measured the boologam (earth) with one feet and the second feet was placed on vinnulaham (galaxy) and such holy feet proceeded and entered beyond the satya logam (one part of Galaxy) that Lord brahma is governing. Lord Brahma performed abishekam (pouring on) with his kamandala jalam (water) for this holy feet. The theerththam or water that fell off from the abishekam became several folded and descended as several holy rivers in parts of boologam (earth) of which the main and a very special one such is river ganges. The water that washed the holy and golden silambu (a type of anklet) of the Lord dropped at this place in Alagar malai area and became the "silambaaru" (silambu river). This silambaru is also known as "noobura gangai". The Thirumanchanam (pouring of water on the Deity) for the ursavar of this Kshethram (holy place) is performed using only the theerththam from this silambaaru in a tradition that goes back several centuries. It is noted that when such thirumanchanam was performed using the theerththam from other sources than this silambaaru, the ursavar idol used to get darkened. Hence it is a practice even today that people will travel 2 miles around the foot hills to get this punniya (holy) theerththam from silambaaru to perform the thirumanchanam.
Upon which the Noobura Gangai Theertham,Goddess Sri Raakachi Amman Shrine is there. She is pouring Her blessings on the devotees,in the form of water.After taking the holy bath,we are preparing to get down by the staircases and come again to Palamuthicholai,from there only, we can get down to the foot of the hill by the temple's vans or other private vehicles,if we arranged earlier.
Upon which the Noobura Gangai Theertham,Goddess Sri Raakachi Amman Shrine is there. She is pouring Her blessings on the devotees,in the form of water.After taking the holy bath,we are preparing to get down by the staircases and come again to Palamuthicholai,from there only, we can get down to the foot of the hill by the temple's vans or other private vehicles,if we arranged earlier.
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