Alagar Kovil (Kallalagar Temple)
அழகர் கோவில்
A Vishnu temple at the foot of Alagar Hill, one of the 108 Divya Desams, closely tied to the Chithirai festival at Meenakshi Temple.
The temple is dedicated to Alagar, a form of Vishnu and the elder brother of Meenakshi. It has a tall gateway tower and a pillared hall with finely carved stone columns, and old city walls still surround it. Every year during the Chithirai festival, the image of Alagar is carried down into the city to the Vaigai River, a grand spectacle. Monkeys are plentiful in the hills, so keep an eye on your food. It can be visited together with Pazhamudircholai, 4 km up the hill. The temple lies about 21 km northeast of Madurai, roughly 40 minutes by hired car.
Opening hours
Approx. 6:00 am–12:30 pm, 3:30–8:00 pm
Nearby sights
- Pazhamudircholai
- Yanaimalai
- Madurai Flower Market (Mattuthavani)
- Gandhi Memorial Museum
- Goripalayam Dargah
- Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
- Pudhu Mandapam
- Meenakshi Amman Temple