This much venerated Divya Desam temple (not to be confused with the Koodalazhagar temple in Madurai) is one of the holiest Vaishnavite shrines in the south. 21 kms north of Madurai, about a 30 minute drive, it lies nestled close to the verdant Alagar Malai hills. It has been in existence since the Sangam Period and every dynasty since then has contributed to it. The existing structure is mainly late Pandian, Vijayanager and Nayakkan. It is home to some of the most exquisite Nayakkan era granite sculptures. A granite wall surrounds the entire complex. It has a 7 tier rajagopuram. There are many myths and legends around this temple. The outermost fortifications were destroyed by the forces of Hyder Ali, then Sultan of Mysore in 1757 when the temple was looted and ransacked. You see a remnant of that wall in the last set of pictures below. The remains of a giant gopuram can be seen. Pay attention to the construction of the structure which is exposed in the ruins.
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