History of the place

Once, there were no death on earth as everyone lived righeously. But when a person did an extreme wrong deed to a woman, Dharmaraja (the Lord of death), killed hm instantly. The Lord Shiva made Dharmaraja to look fierceful so that humans will refrain from doing sins. Dharma Raja was sad as his face has become fierce. But he wanted to see the most beautiful face every day and so started to do penance on this mountain called Vrisuphakiri. This mountain consists of 7 hills. When the Lord Perumal appeared, Dharmaraja asked the Lord to give him the boon to perform puja to Him atleast once every day. Accordingly, it is believed that Dharmaraja himself conducts the Artha Jama Puja which is held daily in this temple. The Somasanda Vimana (circular) above the sanctum sanctorum was built by Vishwakarma on the wish of Dharma Rajan to bless all the people.

Saints who worshiped

Mangalasasanam (hymns) by Periyazhwar, Pei Azhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Andal, Bhoothth Azhwar and Nammazhwar. This is the 93rd Divya Desam.

Speciality of this temple

The Lord Perumal is in standing posture. Goddess Andal is in sitting posture here. Both Vaishanvaites and Saivaites worship here. As the Lord married Mother Mahalakshmi here and this darshan stole the hearts of his devotees and hence called Kallazhagar. Karupanna Swamy whom the devotees call as Eighteenth Padiyan is the guarding deity of this temple and is a very powerful. Dosa (prasad)) of this place is very famous. The Silambaru (Nupura Gangai) originates from the anklet of Rakkayi Amman and flows inside the mountain cave as a perennial river. Meenakshi Thirukalayanam (Marriage) and Azhagar Aatril irangudal (getting in to the river) are the most important festivals. Once when Sage Sudhabas was doing penance on the Lord, Sage Durvasa cursed the sage Sudhabas to become a frog. Sage Durvasar advised Sudhabas to do penance on the banks of river Vedavathi (River Vaigai) and when the Lord comes out, his curse will be released. It is the formality that Azhagar will come from Azhagar Temple with the garland offered by Goddess Andal at Thallakulam in Madurai, and gets down in the river in a horse vehicle. The next day to chitra pournami, HE gives darshan to gives darshan to Mandooka Maharishi in garuda vahana at Teynur mandap and releases the curse.

Pariharam

People worship this Lord for good rain, agricultural prosperity, marriage and child boon and family welfare.

Pariharam Procedure

Devotees offer their hair to Azhagar who fulfills their prayers. Dulabaram (offering coins, grains etc equivalent to the weight of the devotee) is very special here.