11 city tour

Opposite to well-liked perception that Madurai in Tamilnadu, South India is best for pilgrimage only for Saivists (these in the Hindu religion worship Lord Siva), simply because of the renowned Meenakshi Temple, it has also Kallazhagar Temple Koodal Azhagar Temple and Karmegha Perumal Temple in Madurai for Vaishnavites (those who worship Lord Vishnu).

When people today get up Madurai for pilgrimage, they in many cases tend to curtail their visit only to the Meenakshi Temple or at finest get a glimpse of Azhagar Koil (usually acknowledged as Kallazhagar Temple).

Saivists revere Meenakshi-Sundareswarar a little something unique, as you can see the dancing posture of Siva – raising the proper leg in dancing listed here, alternatively of the remaining, usually discovered in all temples.

But that does not mean Vaishnavites have nothing at all to choose up the journey for Madurai. Notwithstanding the point that Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu are a single and the similar, displaying distinctive sides for unique individuals of the Lord Almighty, Vaishnavite men and women in the know would not forsake Madurai. For the reason that, it is listed here there are 3 Vishnu Temples, belonging to the record of 108 “Divya Desams” (most sacred temples) of Vaishnavite belief.

The initial is Kallazhagar Temple – or Azhagar Koil. The deity Lord Vishnu takes the most gorgeous variety of an idol and is hence named “Azhagar”, the Tamil word for one particular inordinately gorgeous. The primary deity is “Sundararaja Perumal” (yet another phrase in Sanskrit to describe elegance) and the consort is “Sundaravalli”. This temple is considered as Southern Thirupathi in the likes of the popular Thirupathi of the richest deity of India, Balaji.

Lord Azhagar will come from his temple, situated 20 kms from Madurai, just about every 12 months to carry out the marriage pageant of his sister Meenakshi with Sundareswarar. This is one of the very renowned festivals of South India, notably Madurai, when lakhs of men and women acquire to worship Azhagar, using a dip in the “Vaigai” river someday during April.

The subsequent is Koodal Azagar Temple – situated in Madurai town, on the way to Mattuthavani Central Bus Stand. This “Divya Desam” is crucial to Vaishanavites, as the deity “Koodal Azahagar” (named right after the position “Koodal” or convergence of all Devas at this position to worship Lord Vishnu) as the Perumal can be worshiped in a few postures – Nindran (standing) Kidanthan (lying) and Irunthan (sitting). Alwars (the specialised devotees in Vaishnava epics) have savored profusely these three postures of Lord Vishnu at this very same spot and have recorded their innate thoughts in tunes. Periyalwar coined the “Thirupallandu”, a tune which is recited by all Vaishnavites everyday in their worship. Thayar’s (the consort) identify is Maduravalli.

The 3rd one particular is Sri Kalamegha Perumal Temple – Thirumoghur, 8 Kilometers from Madurai town appropriate on the Madurai-Melur route. Far better keep at Madurai, as there are no lodging facilities worthy of the title. The Perumal saved the Indiran and his Devadais from the curse of a Rishi (Sanyasi owning abundance of religious power because of to meditation and penance) to lose all their prosperity and power. By skimming the sea (Thiruparkadal) Lord Vishnu acquired again anything the Devas shed and also received Mahalakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, the symbol of prosperity and properly beings.

So up coming time you get up a trip to Madurai bear in intellect to stop by these potent Vaishnavite temples far too.