Koodal Azhagar Temple

Madurai is Meenakshi and Meenakshi is Madurai. This is what people primarily relate the city of Madurai with. This is due to the magnificent and artistically beautiful Meenakshi temple. This is undoubtedly the best attraction in the city. However, a few important Vishnu temples are also located in and around Madurai. Koodal Azhagar Temple is one such temple about which this article is written.

Koodal Azhagar temple is located in the heart of Madurai city, within one km of Meenakshi temple. Alwars, twelve revered saints of Tamil, have graced this temple in their hymns (found in the collection of Nalayira Divya Prabhandam). Thus this temple is considered one of 108 Divya Desam Temples.

(People generally confuse this temple and Kallalagar temple, perhaps due to similar names. Both are Divya Desam temples, and both are located in the same region, but they are two separate temples).

Ashtanga Vimana

Highlights:

Tirumangai Alwar and Tirumazhisai Alwar have written one Pasuram (hymn) each about this site in their verses.

It is considered the 101st Divya Desham temple. It is located in the Pandya region.

God - Koodal Azhagar

Goddess - Maduravalli

Utsava Deity - Vyuha Soundararaja Perumal

Teerth (holy water) - Hema Teertha, Chakra Teertha

Vimana - Ashtanga Vimana

Other Names - Tirukkoodal, Kadali Vana Kshetra, Koodalambadi, Then Madurai

Vishnu is found in three different forms - Nindran (standing), Irundhaan (seated), and Kidanthaan (reclining) in this temple.

Three forms of Vishnu are found in the shrines on three floors, one atop the other.

Pillai Perumal Iyengar has also sung about this holy site.

Legend:

The temple has more legends than historical details.

The legends related to this site are recorded in Brahmanda Purana.

Sanatkumara, the son of Lord Brahma, performed penance on this site. Vishnu, along with his two consorts, appeared to him. Later, the sage sought the help of Vishwakarma, the architect of Dev Loka, to build the temple with Ashtanga Vimana.

Kashyapa Rishi had his hermitage on the banks of Chakra Teertha, one of the holy waterbodies of this temple.

When two Devas were worshiping the deity in this temple, they were troubled by an Asura, Kala Nemi, by name. Vishnu killed the Asura with his Sudarsana.

Pulastya Rishi begot a son with the blessing of the deity of this temple.

Urvasi, the Apsara (nymph), was born on the earth due to a curse. She lived near the Koodal Azhagar temple. She danced and prayed regularly in the temple, and as a result, she got liberated from her curse.

History:

Many scholars say Silappadhikaram, Paripadal, and Madurai Kanchi of the Tamil Sangam period mention the Koodal Azhagar temple.

The temple was praised in the Pasuram hymns by Tirumangai Alwar and Tirumazhisai Alwar. Also, it is believed by a few that Periyalvar sang "Tiruppallandu" on the deity of this temple. Even though it is agreed that Periyalvar sang "Tiruppallandu" in Madurai, it is debatable if he sang about the God of this particular temple of Madurai.

Vibhisana Pattabhisheka - sculpture on tower

As it is widely believed that these three Alwars belonged to the 7th or 8th century CE, the original temple was probably built by the early Pandyas. However, the current structure of the temple belongs to the periods Vijayanagaras and Nayakas. It is said that the original inscriptions of the temple were shifted to different places during the renovation. We can find only three remaining inscriptions belonging to the Nayaka period.

In the 14th century CE, when Madurai was attacked by the Muslim rulers, it is believed that this temple was protected by Tiruvai Mozhi Pillai, the Vaishnavite saint.

When Chanda Sahib annexed Madurai in 1739 CE, the processional images of the temple, along with that of Meenakshi and Sundareswara, were shifted to Mana Madurai, a nearby locality. When Madurai was controlled by Maratha General Murari Rao, they were brought back to this temple in 1741 by Appachi Nayakkar.

Though there is no authentic evidence, it is believed that Oomai Durai, the brother of Veera Pandya Katta Bomman, was hiding in this temple for a few days (in the early 19th century CE).

Few mandaps were built in the 20th century CE. The temple tower (Raja gopuram) was constructed in 1945 CE.

Ashtanga Vimana:

The uniqueness of Koodal Azhagar Temple is its unusual and beautiful Ashtanga Vimana. Before providing the details of this particular vimana, let me explain what Ashtanga Vimana is in simple language.

First of all, what is a Vimana? The sanctum or the main shrine is called Garbha Griha. In the Dravidian temple architectural style, the structure over the Garbha Griha is called Vimana. However, when the elements of Vimana are described, the entire elevation of the structure, right from the lower basement to the top finial, is referred to as Vimana. So, in this context, Garbha Griha and Vimana together are referred to as Vimana. This level of clarity is essential to read the following few paragraphs.

Typically, a Vimana would have six organs (called Shastanga). The six organs are:

1) Adishthana (plinth) along with Upa pitha (sub-base)

2) Pada (wall)

3) Prastara (entablature)

4) Griva (neck)

5) Shikhara (spire)

6) Stupi (finial)

(Please note many more elements, such as Hara, Kapota, Koshta, etc. However, all those elements are found within the organs mentioned above.)

If there are two more organs, then the Vimana becomes Ashtanga (the Vimana with eight organs). What are those two other organs? The second shrine would be built above the main shrine between Prastara and Griva. In between Griva and Shikhara, the third shrine would be found. Thus, an Ashtanga Vimana would have a minimum of three shrines on three levels.

Ashtanga Vimana

Paramesvara Vinnagaram in Kanchipuram, built in the 7th century CE by the Pallavas, is the earliest example of Ashtanga Vimana. The latest example is the Ashta Lakshmi temple in Chennai. In Uttiramerur and Chennai, the Ashtanga Vimanas have nine shrines and not just three shrines. The other Ashtanga Vimanas are found in Tirukoshtiyur, Srivalliputtur, and Cheranmahadevi.

Madanagopala Swami temple in Madurai has just one sanctum. However, this vimana has got provisions for second and third shrines. It is also called an Ashtanga Vimana. I leave it to the scholars to debate whether Madanagopala temple is an Ashtanga vimana.

Vimana - Side view

Temple Layout, Architecture and Iconography:

Entrance

The temple faces the east direction. At the entrance, there is a five-tiered tower (gopuram). This tower was built in 1945 CE. Many Vaishnavite stucco images are found on the tower.

Koodal Azhagar

The sanctum faces the east direction. It enshrines the presiding deity, Vishnu, who is named Koodal Azhagar. He is found along with his two consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. The icon is very tall and about 6 feet high. He is seated under seven hooded Adi Sesha, with his left leg folded and right leg hanging down. He has four arms and holds conch and discus in his upper arms. His lower right arm is in Abhaya mudra, and his left arm is in chin mudra. On his right side, Sri Devi (Lakshmi) is seated with her left leg folded. She holds a flower in her left arm, and her right arm is in varada mudra. On his left side, Bhoo Devi is seated with her right leg folded. She holds a flower in her right arm, and her left arm is in varada mudra.

Carvings on the walls

Vimana

As mentioned already, the vimana is tritala Ashtanga vimana. It rises from a square base as a pyramid and is capped by a circular cupola. There are three talas (tiers), and each level has a shrine; thus, there are three shrines. The Vimana is full of interesting stucco images of Vishnu and Vaishnavism. Even a few non-Vaishnaive images, such as Ganesha, are found.

Surya Narayana

In the second tier, a shrine enshrines Vishnu with his two consorts. Here, Vishnu is called Surya Narayana. He is found in the standing posture. His upper arms carry conch and discus. His lower arms are in abhaya and varada mudra. Vishnu and Bhoo Devi are green in color. All the images are stucco images. The paintings of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and Ashta Dikpalas are found on the walls of this shrine.

Vishnu seated on a lion

Parkadal Nathar

In the third tier, there is a separate shrine. Here, Vishnu is found in the reclining posture. He is called as Parkadal Nathar. Vishnu is reclining on the serpent, Adi Sesha. Brahma, seated in lotus, emerges out of Vishnu's navel. Vishnu is painted in green color.

Near Vishnu's head, the personified Adi Sesha is found with folded arms. His image is painted in blue color.

On Vishnu's feet, Bhoo Devi and Sri Devi are found. Both Devis are found seated, holding flowers in their respective right arms. Bhoo Devi is painted in green color.

Beyond the feet of Vishnu, Krishna and Arjuna are found. Both are painted in blue color.

All ten main Avatars (Dasavatars) are sculpted as small images on the walls of this shrine. Matsya Avatar is depicted as a fish, Kurma Avatar is depicted as a tortoise, and Kalki Avatar has the face of a horse. Varaha is painted in blue color. Parasu Rama, Rama, and Krishna are painted in green color.

The walls, in addition, have a few more paintings.

All the images that are found in this shrine are stucco images.

Vyuha Soundara Raja

The processional (utsava) deity is named Vyuha Soundara Raja Perumal. He is found in the standing posture along with his two consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. These Panchaloha icons are placed in the main shrine of Koodal Azhagar.

Maduravalli and Andal

To the right side of the Koodal Azhar shrine, the shrine of Goddess Maduravalli is located. The shrine is vast, and it is more like a separate temple. The shrine has its own ardha mandapa, maha mandapa, mukha mandapa and prakara.

Maduravalli's image is massive and attractive. It should be around 4-5 feet high. She has four arms and holds flowers in her upper arms. She is found seated. The processional image of Maduravalli is also located in the same shrine.

A big image of Andal is found in a separate shrine to the left of the Koodal Azhagar shrine. This shrine is comparatively tiny. It has its own prakara. The front side mandapas are not found. Andal is found in the standing posture. She has her beautiful hair bun, as usual.

Both these shrines face the east direction.

Navagraha

It is unusual to find Navagrahas in the Vishnu temple. But it is common for Madurai citizens. Like many other Vishnu temples of Madurai, this temple also has a separate Navagraha shrine.

Depiction of year

A later period sculpture depicts the cycle of one full year. Surya (the Sun God) is seated on a single-wheeled chariot pulled by a single horse and driven by Aruna. Two enormous serpents on either side of the chariot represent Uttarayana and Dakshinayana. Twelve Rasis are found around Surya.

This sculpture is found as soon as we enter the temple.

Elephant

A life-sized elephant statue is found near the steps that lead us to the main shrine. This is to depict the legend of Periyalvar garlanded by an elephant.

Unique Narasimha

There is a small sculpture of Narasimha, which is unusual. Narasimha has 16 arms. He has Hiranya lying down on his lap. His lower arms are tearing apart the body of the Asura. In addition, he holds two other Asuras in his two upper arms. This sculpture is in a small sub-shrine in the prakara around Koodal Azhagar.

Other Shrines

In the Maha Mandapa of Koodal Azhagar, many bronze idols, like all Alwars except Andal, Ramanuja, Koorathalvan, Manavala Mamunigal, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, are kept in a shrine.

The Mukha Mandapa of Koodal Azhagar has giant statues of Yazhis (Vyala). The sub-shrines of Krishna, Rama-Sita-Lakshmana, Vishwaksena, and Lakshmi Narayana are found in this mandapa. In the opposite direction, Hanuman is facing Rama.

Upapitha Sculptures

These mandapas of Koodal Azhagar, Garbha Griha, Ardha Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, and Mukha Mandapa are on a high-raised platform. Tall flagstaff and bali peetha are found facing toward the main shrine. Garuda is located near flagstaff.

The sub-shrines of Yoga Narasimha with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, Lakshmi Narasimha, and Manavala Mamunigal are found in the prakara around Koodal Azhagar.

Decorated stone window

In the Mukha Mandapa of Maduravalli, a big shrine enshrines the stone sculptures of all the Alwars except Andal, Koorathalvan, Ramanuja, and Manavala Mamunigal.

The passage that connects the temple of Maduravalli with the temple of Koodal Azhagar has the shrine of Sudarsana with Narasimha on the back side.

Subramanya on Vimana

On the outside, near the Raja gopuram, the shrine of Vedanta Desikar is found as a separate temple.

The mural paintings depicting the deities of all 108 Divya Desams are found on the walls of the prakara around Koodal Azhagar.

The lower part of the main shrine walls has many miniature sculptures illustrating Vaishnava legends. The upper part of the walls has beautifully decorated pierced stone windows. On the niches, the paintings of Lakshmi, Lakshmi Narasimha, Lakshmi Narayana, and Brahma are found instead of sculptures. Every inch of the wall has intricate carvings. There are so many tiny sculptures carved all over the walls. Small lions in different postures and many Vaishnava-related sculptures are found mostly. Some interesting sculptures include sixteen armed Narasimha, Vishnu seated on a lion, and Nardana Kali.

Rama Pattabhisheka and Ganesha in female form

Even a few Shaivite sculptures, such as Kali and Shiva, are depicted on the walls. The vimana also has a few Shaivite stucco images, such as Subramanya and the female form of Ganesha.

A few statues of Nayaka Kings or chiefs are also found.

Hema Teerth, the temple tank, is found adjacent to the tower in the east corner. Another tank, Perumal Theppa Kulam, is located outside the temple complex.

Happy travelling.