கள்ளழகர் திருக்கோயில் அழகர்கோயில்
This much venerated Divya Desam temple (not to be confused with the Koodalazhagar Temple in Madurai) is one of the holiest Vaishnavite shrines in the south. Situated 21 kms north of Madurai, about a 30 minute drive, it lies nestled at the edge of the verdant Alagar Malai hills. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu.
It has been in existence since the Sangam Period and every dynasty since then has contributed to it. Many Sangam era literary works and the Silapathikaram mention it. The existing structure is mainly late Pandian, Vijayanagar and Nayakkan. Jatavarman Sundarapandian (1251-1270) was one of the principal contributors to the temple in the medieval period. During the ransacking of Srirangam in Tiruchirapalli, by invading Muslim forces in the early 14th century, starting with the raid by Malik Kafur, the idol of Ranganathar was hidden here and this temple was kept very quiet and secret. The great Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadevaraya was fond of this temple and contributed much to its construction. During the reign of Thirumalai Nayakkar it was developed further. The temple was attacked in 1757 by the forces of Hyder Ali, then Sultan of Mysore who looted and ransacked it. The outermost fortifications were destroyed.
The temple is home to some of the most exquisite Nayakkan era granite sculptures. A granite wall surrounds the entire complex. It has a 7 tier rajagopuram. There are many myths and legends around this temple.
We visited in August 2019. We were based in Madurai
Credits: Googleஓ Maps
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