Kattalagar Temple, Shenbagathoppu Srivilliputhur,
Virudhunagar
Kattalagar
Koil is a temple located in southern hills (Meru Malai) of Tamilnadu, India, about 17 km from Srivilliputhur (birthplace of Andal). The temple is at a hill top. There is a spring in the
temple; it is a wonder to see a spring in the hill top, since water flows only
downwards. None of them know from where the water is flowing. And the water
speed is equivalent throughout the year. The spring has crystal clear water
throughout the year. Behind the temple, there are two mountain ranges visible.
One of them resembles the face of Perumal (Lord Vishnu) and other one resembles a frog.
Legends
Kallalagar of Madurai as Kattalagar:
Kattalagar
is Kallalagar of Madurai came to Srivilliputhur to marry Sri Andal. But
before his arrival, Sri Andal got married to Sri Ranganathar and Kattalagar
stayed there in the forest.
Noopurangangai Theertham:
The
theertham of this temple is Noopurangangai. When Brahma performed
Abhishekam for the lord's holy feet, a fraction of the water came into contact
with one of the anklets of the perumal and fell in this kshetram and thus the theertham
got the name Noopurangangai. Once, Durvasa rishi cursed sage Subadha to
become a frog. After taking bath at the theertham the sage was freed from the
curse The auspicious theertham flows into a large tank from a faucet and a
special feature of this theertham is that water from the faucet flows
uninterruptedly without any break during all times.
The
Temple
A holy
fountain called “Nupura Gangai” is present at the base of the temple. It is the
place where Saint Subadha got deliverance from the curse given by Saint
Dhurvasar. There are 246 steps to ascend the mountain. Here, Lord Sundaresa
Perumal alias Kattalagar, along with Sri Devi (Sundara Valli) and Bhooma Devi
(Soundara Valli), blesses the devotees, being in standing posture.
The
statues of Dhuvaragapalagar, Saint Subadha (Mandooga Maharishi), Chakkarathalvar,
Senai Mudhalvan, Adhivaragar and Gnanapiran are housed in the inner hall (Artha
mandapam) of the temple. The Karudazhvar temple facing towards Lord Kattalagar
is located on the outer side of the big hall. The statues of Protector-Gods
like Pathinettaampadi Karuppasamy, Yama, Kalan, and Thuthan are found in this
big hall. The pillars of this hall are embellished with excellent artistic
designs.
The
place where the temple is being located is a beautiful one and has some exotic
views. The place is the best for tourists and it is considered as a very
auspicious place for worshipping. Temple is kept open every Saturday and Sunday
from 9 AM to 4 PM. One has to take a
walk of six kilometers in the forest to see the deity. The forest itself is
made a sanctuary for Grizzled Giant Squirrel. There is a water-fall on the way to the temple. Water
will be available in the streams along the way. Wild animals like elephants,
Bisons and giant squirrels can be spotted sometimes.
Festivals
On Tamil
New year day and every Saturday, special poojas are conducted. A large number
of worshippers get the darshan of Lord Kattalagar on the last Saturday of every
Tamil month.
Connectivity
Kattu Azhagar
Temple is situated about 18 kms south of Srivilliputtur near the foot of the
Western Ghats (Merku Todarchi malai). Government buses are operated from dawn
to dusk, between Srivilliputhur and Shenbagathoppu. The usual way of reaching
this Temple is to reach Shenbagathoppu - Pillaiyarkovil and then from there reach
Meenkuthi Parai. From Meenkuthi Parai it is a narrow route leading to Kattu Azhagar
Temple. Devotees have to walk around 6 km to reach the temple.