Divya Desams refer to the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). Divya in the Tamil language indicates "premium" and Desam indicates "place" (temple). Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India, one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly realms. Most of the Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu follow the Thenkalai tradition. This includes the important temples of Srirangam and Triplicane.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord Shiva, the other major deity in Hinduism, is similarly associated with the Paadal Petra Sthalams, 275 Shiva temples which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars.
Two Temples at Thulai Villi Mangalam, referred to as Erettai Tirupathi, about 100 yards of each other on the Northern bank of Tamaraibarani make up one Divya Desam. NamAzhvaar has sung 11 verses of praise on Devapiran and Aravinda Losana, the deities of the twin temples, located about 10kms East of SriVaikuntam.
BASE TOWN : MADURAI
DISTANCE : 01 KM
MOOLAVAR : KOODAL AZHAGAR PERUMAL
THIRUKKOLAM : VEETRIRUNDHA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : EAST
THAYAR : MADURAVALLI (VARAGUNAVALLI OR MARAGADHAVALLI OR VAGULAVALLI)
MANGALASASANAM : 02 PAASURAMS
THEERTHAM : HEMA PUSHKARANI ; CHAKKARA THEERTHAM ; KIRUTHA MAALA NADHI ; VAIGAI NADHI
VIMANAM : ASHTANGA VIMANAM
Thirukoodal is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in the heart of Madurai City, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples built by the Pandya Kings famous for its stunning architectural beauty. The majestic rajagopuram reveals the exquisite murals of Lord in his three postures, Lord Koodalazhagar on sitting posture, Lord Ranganatha in reclining posture and Lord Suryanarayana in standing posture. The Koodal Azhagar Divya Desam is situated in the heart of Madurai, a km South East of Madurai Junction and half a km South West of Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Lord is seen in all three postures at this Divya Desam. At the base Tier is Koodal Azhagar in a grand sitting posture under the Serpent Lord Aadhiseshan. Climbing about 20 steps on to Tier 1, one sees the Lord in a Sleeping Posture. And another 10 steps above, in Tier 2, is Lord Surya Narayanan in a standing posture
In the temple tower at the entrance, one sees the story of the Ramayana and Mahabaratha depicted through sculpture in different tiers of the tower. These sculptures can be closely seen from Tier 1 of the temple and are not to be missed.
Pandya king Vallabadevan wanted to know the Lord with the power to show the way to Paramapatham, the heavenly abode. The King hung a Golden Parrot with the announcement that the parrot would automatically fall, once someone informs him of the right Lord to Paramapatham. Several came and went back without success.
It is believed that the Koodal Lord appeared in the dreams of Vallabadevan’s priest Selvanambi and suggested the name of PeriAzhvaar of Srivilliputhur. Accordingly, PeriAzhvaar was brought to the court of the Pandya King in Madurai. With several examples from vedic scriptures as well as historical references, PeriAzhvaar showcased to the Pandya King that Lord Vishnu was the Lord who could take one to the heavenly abode. And to every one’s surprise the parrot fell down.
A delighted Pandya king praised PeriAzhvaar and took him on an elephant procession through the streets of Madurai. Legend has it that Koodal Azhagar himself came to see this sight on his Garuda Vaahanam.
Delighted at the sight of the Koodal Lord, PeriAzhvaar showered praises with his Pallaandu. Hence, Koodal Azhagar is credited with origination of ThiruPallaandu, which now has come to be sung as the first 12 songs of the Divya Prabhandham. Being the place where PeriAzhvaar sang the now famous Pallaandu, this place is considered equivalent to Paramapatham.
Pandya king Sathya Varadan undertook penance before the Koodal Lord, who gave him darshan inside a sacred tumbler, as a fish. This is stated to be the reason for the Pandyas to have ‘Fish’ as their symbol in their flags.
At Sathya Logam, Brahmma washed the legs of Lord Vishnu, after his Trivikrama Avataaram, the sacred water drops of which fell on Madurai. These sacred drops spread as two rivers, Vaigai and Krithumala. Koodal Azhagar temple is on the banks of Kruthumala river.
This is the only divya desam with a Navagraha Sannidhi.
Festivals : Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, Maasi Theppotsavam, Panguni Utram Thiru Kalyana Utsavam.
Thirukoodal,
Madurai-625 001,
Tamil Nadu.
Phone: 0452 2338542
Priest: S.Narayana Bhattar @ 93441 13169 ; 94436 75737 / 98421 73621.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord Shiva, the other major deity in Hinduism, is similarly associated with the Paadal Petra Sthalams, 275 Shiva temples which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars.
Two Temples at Thulai Villi Mangalam, referred to as Erettai Tirupathi, about 100 yards of each other on the Northern bank of Tamaraibarani make up one Divya Desam. NamAzhvaar has sung 11 verses of praise on Devapiran and Aravinda Losana, the deities of the twin temples, located about 10kms East of SriVaikuntam.
Divya Desam 77 - Sri Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple:
PLACE : THIRUKKOODALBASE TOWN : MADURAI
DISTANCE : 01 KM
MOOLAVAR : KOODAL AZHAGAR PERUMAL
THIRUKKOLAM : VEETRIRUNDHA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : EAST
THAYAR : MADURAVALLI (VARAGUNAVALLI OR MARAGADHAVALLI OR VAGULAVALLI)
MANGALASASANAM : 02 PAASURAMS
THEERTHAM : HEMA PUSHKARANI ; CHAKKARA THEERTHAM ; KIRUTHA MAALA NADHI ; VAIGAI NADHI
VIMANAM : ASHTANGA VIMANAM
Thirukoodal is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in the heart of Madurai City, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples built by the Pandya Kings famous for its stunning architectural beauty. The majestic rajagopuram reveals the exquisite murals of Lord in his three postures, Lord Koodalazhagar on sitting posture, Lord Ranganatha in reclining posture and Lord Suryanarayana in standing posture. The Koodal Azhagar Divya Desam is situated in the heart of Madurai, a km South East of Madurai Junction and half a km South West of Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Lord is seen in all three postures at this Divya Desam. At the base Tier is Koodal Azhagar in a grand sitting posture under the Serpent Lord Aadhiseshan. Climbing about 20 steps on to Tier 1, one sees the Lord in a Sleeping Posture. And another 10 steps above, in Tier 2, is Lord Surya Narayanan in a standing posture
In the temple tower at the entrance, one sees the story of the Ramayana and Mahabaratha depicted through sculpture in different tiers of the tower. These sculptures can be closely seen from Tier 1 of the temple and are not to be missed.
Pandya king Vallabadevan wanted to know the Lord with the power to show the way to Paramapatham, the heavenly abode. The King hung a Golden Parrot with the announcement that the parrot would automatically fall, once someone informs him of the right Lord to Paramapatham. Several came and went back without success.
It is believed that the Koodal Lord appeared in the dreams of Vallabadevan’s priest Selvanambi and suggested the name of PeriAzhvaar of Srivilliputhur. Accordingly, PeriAzhvaar was brought to the court of the Pandya King in Madurai. With several examples from vedic scriptures as well as historical references, PeriAzhvaar showcased to the Pandya King that Lord Vishnu was the Lord who could take one to the heavenly abode. And to every one’s surprise the parrot fell down.
A delighted Pandya king praised PeriAzhvaar and took him on an elephant procession through the streets of Madurai. Legend has it that Koodal Azhagar himself came to see this sight on his Garuda Vaahanam.
Delighted at the sight of the Koodal Lord, PeriAzhvaar showered praises with his Pallaandu. Hence, Koodal Azhagar is credited with origination of ThiruPallaandu, which now has come to be sung as the first 12 songs of the Divya Prabhandham. Being the place where PeriAzhvaar sang the now famous Pallaandu, this place is considered equivalent to Paramapatham.
Pandya king Sathya Varadan undertook penance before the Koodal Lord, who gave him darshan inside a sacred tumbler, as a fish. This is stated to be the reason for the Pandyas to have ‘Fish’ as their symbol in their flags.
At Sathya Logam, Brahmma washed the legs of Lord Vishnu, after his Trivikrama Avataaram, the sacred water drops of which fell on Madurai. These sacred drops spread as two rivers, Vaigai and Krithumala. Koodal Azhagar temple is on the banks of Kruthumala river.
This is the only divya desam with a Navagraha Sannidhi.
Festivals : Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, Maasi Theppotsavam, Panguni Utram Thiru Kalyana Utsavam.
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 04:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m.Location:
The temple is situated in Madurai district of Tamilnadu. It is close to the main bus stop and also the famous Meenakshi temple. Madurai is well connected by trains, buses and flights with major cities.Temple Address & Contact Info:
Arulmigu Koodal Azhagar Perumal Thirukkovil,Thirukoodal,
Madurai-625 001,
Tamil Nadu.
Phone: 0452 2338542
Priest: S.Narayana Bhattar @ 93441 13169 ; 94436 75737 / 98421 73621.
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