Monday, March 19, 2018

Koodal Azhagar Temple – History

Koodal Azhagar Temple – History
This temple hails from the earliest Age of Sangam period. There are references of this temple in Paripadal and Silapathikaram. The presiding deity was praised and worshipped by the Sangam Tamil Poets as the president and guardian deity of the Sangam and called him by the name "Thuvarikoman" (the King who ruled over from Dwaraka) and Koodal Alagar. Koodal refers to the assembly of Poets and scholars. The Ancient Pandya rulers celebrated Avani Onam festival in praise of Sri Koodal Alagar for a period of seven days. This festival is vividly described in Maduraikkanchi, on the ten lengthy poems called Pathupattu of the Sangam period.
Illangovadigal praises the Lord as "Needu Neer-Vaigai Nedumal" meaning the Lord who spanned the universe by taking three strides. (Thiruvikrama) who is now seated at the bank of the river Vaigai in Archa form. The inscriptions in the temple refers to the presiding deity as Koodal Azhagiya Perumal. There are inscriptions in the temple indicating generous gifts and endowments in the form of land, houses and gold to maintain and administer the temple. An inscription from the 8th century indicates the donation of granite stones for the construction of Ardha Mandapa.
The temple was expanded during the rule of Madurai Nayaks in the 16th century. The Dwajasthambam mandapam (flag staff) and mandapam before the Hema Pushkarani were constructed by the Nayaks. The temple was renovated by Alagappa Chettiar in 1920. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.