History of the place

Brahma's son Sanath Kumara had a desire to visit Perumal in the Archavatara (human form). He prayed to this Perumal and did penance. The Lord gave darshan along with Sridevi Bhudevi. Then Sanathkumara asked the divine sculptor - Vishwakarma to design the scene as he had seen it. He consecrated it under the beautiful Ashtanga Vimana who is called Koodalazhagar. This place was established in Kridayuga itself. AS it stands out in all the four yugas namely Kridayuga, Tredayuga, Dvaparayugam and Kaliyugam, this Lord is called "Yugam Kanda Perumal (Perumal who stands out the ages")

Saints who worshiped

Mangalasasanam (hymns) by Periyazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar. This temple ranks in the 108 divya desams.

Speciality of this temple

The Lord here called Koodalazhagar is in sitting posture and the vimana above the sanctom sanctorum is called Ashtanga Vimana, a rare style. The famous hymn "Pallandu Pallandu Pallayirathandu….." was penned in this place. It is said that the kings who ruled that place used to worship the Lord Vyuga Sundararajan for winning the battle field. Once, in order to stop the rain, the Lord released four clouds which clustered around Madurai in four domes and sheltered the people from the rain. Due to this gathering of four clouds, the place came to be known as "Naanmada Koodal". Once around this temple both vaigai and Kridhumal rivers flowed. The latter dried and became a stream. Sathyavirath, a Pandiya King had great devotion for this temple. Once when he was bathing in the river, Lord Vishnu preached himi in the form of fish. So, in memory of this, he kept the fish symbol.

Pariharam

People pray to get rid of obstancles in marriage. Also pray for child boon and good education.

Pariharam Procedure

People take Pal Kudam (it is a procession where people take milk pots and offer for abishekam) for the Mother.