Tirukkoodal - Koodalavalagar Temple

Lying in the vicinity of the world famous Meenakshi temple, this Vaishnava kshetra dedicated to Koodalavalagar, one of the names of Sri Mahavishnu, popular as Perumal Koil holds out irresistible fascination for Vaishnavates. The temple claims the honour of possessing the India's biggest Vimana called Ashtanga Vimana and arrests the viewers with the superb artistry of the sculpture and patron's lofty ideals. The temple built in the South Indian architectural style has three compound walls and majestic tower raising over broad mahadwar. There are several minishrines for Vaishnavate celebrities and they are fittingly installed. The archamurti being very fond of his Deveris to be worshipped in His sannidhi inspired the patrons to building enchanting Maduravalli etc. The temple has two big tanks called Chakrathirtha and Hema Pushkarini, and devotees invariably bathe in them before worshipping the Lord. As many as four eminent Alwars, like Tirumalisai Alwar, Tirumangai Alwar and Andal visited this holy shrine and offered worship with their soul-lifting Pasurams as flowers which neither fade, nor lost fragrance. The archamurti in his standing posture is so exquisitely sculptured that it raises the hands of visitors at its first sight itself. Regular daily pooja is offered with agamic tenets and periodical festivals like Teppotsav falling in Masi and Car festival in Vaisakha are celebrated with unusual devotional fervor. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams built in a famous Saiva kshetra.

It lies in Madurai, the temple city itself, just about a mile from station, accessible by auto etc.

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