Badri Narayanan Temple, Alagar Koil, Madurai
Badri
Narayanan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Alagar
Koil in Madurai
District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is situated at the entrance of Kallazhagar
Temple, Alagar Koil.
Legends
As per
the legend, Lord Kallazhagar visits the temple in the eve of the Chittirai festival, one of the famous festivals in Tamil
Nadu. The Kallazhagar starts his journey from the Alagar Koil crossing the
Badri Narayanan Shrine. During this time, he visits Vandiyur, near the Vaigai
River, on the eastern outskirts of
Madurai. It is believed that he realizes that he is too late for his sister's
wedding, so refuses to cross the river and returns disappointed to Alagar Koil.
The
Temple
The
temple is built in the style of the Badrinath
temple, Uttarakhand. The principal deity is Badri Narayana in a meditative
posture, flanked by Nara-Narayanan. Besides the idol of Lord Vishnu, the temple
also houses an idol of Lord Balaji in seated a posture. Another idol of Adi Shankaracharya, a famous Hindu saint of 8th century A.D., is installed
alongside in the temple garbhagriha. Few
other images of deities such as Goddess
Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu, Garuda,
Vishnu's mount, Anjaneya, and Lord
Ganesha are enshrined within the
temple complex. A huge date tree has been planted at the back of the temple,
behind the idol of Lord Badri Narayana.
Festivals
This
temple celebrates the Chittirai festival, one of the prominent festivals of
Tamil Nadu, on a grand scale attracting pilgrims from different destinations.
Besides, the Chittirai festival the temple performs the daily poojas and organizes
monthly bhajans in the temple premises.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at entrance of Kallazhagar Temple, Azhagar Koil. The Temple
is located at about 15 Kms from Melur, 20 Kms from Madurai, 21 Kms from Madurai
Periyar Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 21 Kms
from Madurai Railway Junction and 31 Kms from Madurai International Airport.
Buses 23N, 44B, 44T, 44, 444 ply from Madurai to Azhagar Koil.
