Koodal Azhagar Temple – Religious Significance
Periazhwar obtained
the name as he is believed to be an ardent worshipper of Vishnu. While coming
out of Madurai, he was taken out in procession to Srivilliputhur and he got the
divine vision of Vishnu at the instance. He started reciting his
composition, Periya Thirumozhi, which was compiled in Nalayira Divya Prabhandham by Manavala Mamunigal. Manavala decreed that the verses of Periazhwar
starting with Tiruppallaandu should be the first and last verse while reciting
Prabhandham in any sacred occasion in Vishnu temples. Ramanuja, a proponent during the 10th century, believes that Tiruppallaandu
originated at Madurai. Thus, Koodal Azhagar temple finds an indomitable
position in Vaishnavite belief.
During Maha
Pralaya, the great disaster, the devotees
sought the abode of Vishnu in Madurai. It is believed that Vishnu stood as a
bulwark against the impending disaster, giving him the name of the city as
Naanmadakoodal or Koodal Nagar ('Koodal' in Tamil is bulwark). The place is
mentioned to be significant during four ages namely, Satya
Yuga, Tretha
Yuga, Dwapara
Yuga and Kali
Yuga. The temple has Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities, which are otherwise found
only in Shiva temples. It indicates the co-existence of Shaivite and Vaishnavite cultures during the medieval
period.
Koodal Azhagar
temple one among the 108 Vaishnavite shrines, is unique as Alwars had performed
Mangalasasanam for this temple. Also, Periyalwar had praised this temple in his
literary work “Tiruppallaandu”. Ashtanga Vimana considered the foremost among
the 94 vimanas is found over the sanctum sanctorum of this temple. It is rare
to see Ashtanga vimana in temples, which adds to the uniqueness of Sri Koodal Azhagar
temple. It is believed that by coming around the Ashtanga vimana, 12 times for continuous
45 days, one’s wish will be satisfied.