Kaḷḷaḻagar Temple, Azhagar Koyil
Tirumāliruñcōlai
Mīnākṣī's brother, who rides into the Vaigai each Chithirai
⭐ Why it is famous
A Divya Deśam on a forested hill north of Madurai, and the Chithirai festival when the golden Kaḷḷaḻagar is carried into the Vaigai river to attend his sister Mīnākṣī's wedding — a million-strong spectacle.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Praised by the Āḻvārs, especially Nammāḻvār and Āṇḍāḷ, the temple was enlarged by Pāṇḍyas, Cholas and the Madurai Nāyakas. The hill above holds the Pazhamudircholai shrine of Murugan, one of the six Aṟupaḍai Vīḍu.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 06:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 20:00
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; ₹20–₹50 special queue on festival days
- Combine with Pazhamudircholai, 4 km further up the hill
- Noorthavu Kinaru spring water is drunk as tīrtha
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Kaḷḷaḻagar Temple, Azhagar Koyil, Alagar Kovil, MaduraiMadurai Junction (MDU) — 21 km
Alagar Kovil bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Madurai (IXM) — 30 km
21 km north-east of Madurai; town buses run every 20 minutes.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Hotels across Madurai, ₹900–₹6,000
- Simple lodges at Alagar Kovil
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,800 | ₹3,800 | ₹8,500 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Alagar hills trek
- Madurai Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal
- Gandhi Memorial Museum
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
October–March; Chithirai festival in April–May