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.