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Discover the Beauty of Madurai with Azhagar Temple in the Chithirai Festival

BSEpic - Madurai Photography | Azhagar Kovil Photography

Introduction:

Bsepic, an innovative and creative photography company, recently visited Madurai for Photoshoot. We have chosen the most visited temple “Arulmigu Kallazhagar Temple” as we found it very colorful and very picturesque and several photo shoot will be conducted here. The Tower of the temple looks really stunning and numerous sculptures are used for the construction of this temple tower. We need a thousand eyes to admire this eye-catchy architecture. During the photo shoot, we got to experience with the Jigarthanda monkeys, which we have already described in our previous blog. As mentioned above, the blog titled “Ready to Experience with Jigarthanda Monkeys”, BSEpic has beautifully described the monkey’s actions and their funny moments. In addition, they have also described one of the temple tank and its non-maintained condition. Let us know few more things about Kallalagzhagar Temple.

BSEpic - Madurai Temple Photography

History: The temple is located 21 kms northwest of Madurai on the attractive timbered hill. It is built on a vast area in a beautiful manner, surrounded by the ruins of historical forts. The temple has been built in the Dravidian style of architecture. According to historical records, it was constructed by the Pandya king Malayathuaja Pandian and Dharma Devashai. Here, Kallalazhagar is the name used in the temple for the Lord “Perumal”. The idol is made of pure gold, which stands for its perfect craftsmanship. Moreover, Alvars have added honor and pride to the temple. Furthermore, in several epics the beauty of this temple has been described. In the 13th Century, the golden dome has been added to the temple by Sundara Pandian. However, some of the centuries back, this temple was once a refuge place for the Jain. This was proved by several “Brahmin” script. In the temple, we found several beautiful sculptures that depict the ancient stories. In addition, the paintings were super good with its uniqueness. Inside the temple, we can able to view “Holy water point”, the water from the river Ganga. People believe that this water will cure several diseases as it contains Iron and copper.

BSEpic - Azhagar Temple Photography

Nature of the temple:  As Azhagar temple is situated on the hill, we have to pass through the dense forest. The path will be covered by Jujube-Indian trees (Elandha maram), which are famous in our Indian epics. Moreover, the incident of Lord Muruga and Avaiyar, is played with this tree only. To reach this temple, we need to do some trekking through the dense forest with wild animals. Furthermore, in the downstairs we find, Kalalazhagar temple; in the middle of the way we can find palamudhir Solai (one of Arupadai veedu of god Murugan) and finally, we can view Rakkayi temple where we found “Theertha Vaari” – The sacred water from the river Ganga. In the middle of the way to Alagar temple, we can find a small but beautiful temple of Lord Anjaneyar. Lord “Anjaneyar” is the guarding god, who has features like Monkey.  Another beauty of this temple is Monkeys. While we travel to the temple, we have to cross this wild animal. However, they are very dangerous as people are not allowed to take food or any eatable items as they will attack them. We can find numerous funny things like they groom themselves with the help of the parked bikes, pose for the people’s camera etc. They are truly adorable when watched far away.

Chithirai festival: One of the reasons for the fame of this temple is “Chithirai Festival”. Chithirai festival will be celebrated in the month of April, We Tamil people call as Chithirai. During the reign of the Vijayanagar king Krishnadeva Raya, the temple was endowed with revenues from two villages for conducting regular festivals. The marriage of Meenakshi and Sokanadhar has been celebrated as the Chitirai. The arrival of Alagar, the brother of Meenakshi to his sister’s marriage is celebrating as the “Alagar Thiruvizha” This is celebrated for ten days and is one of the declared festivals of Tamilnadu Government. In chithirai, Lord Kallalagar begins from Alagar kovil as Kallar and achieves Madurai on Pournami (Full Moon day). Here he ventures into river Vaigai in his Horse Vaganam. During the festival, to indicate the arrival of Alagar, the flag will be uplifted. Then continuos with the Meenakshi Amman temple. As Alagar returns from Vandiyur Dhasavatharam festival is celebrated throughout the night at Ramarayar Mandapam in the Northern part of river Vaigai. After this event, Alagar is taken to Mysore Veera Mandapam on decorated Anantharayar Palanquin. The next morning Alagar in the form of Kallar returns to Alagar kovil in ‘Poo Pallakku'(Palanquin decorated with flowers). The Festival dramatically re-enacts the visitation of Lord Kallalagar to Madurai from Alagarkoil. People will be crowed the river to view this event. As chithirai month is going to begin, every people are eagerly waiting for this most beautiful but crowded festival.

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Ready to Experience with Jigarthanda Monkeys

BSEpic - Madurai Photography Kallalalagar Temple

BSEpic, the top innovative photography company, recently visited Madurai for our photo shoot. We have planned to choose the most famous hill station of KALLAZHAGAR temple as we have heard that there are several beautiful locations. The locations are truly superb and very refreshing for the eyes. Never had the heart to come back to the city as we are very much merged with nature. Our photo shoot has been completed successfully and the pictures came truly beautiful.

BSEpic - Madurai Photography Kallalalagar Temple

The reason for choosing this temple is it is really so colorful and very traditional. The full name of this temple is “ARULMIGU KALLALAGAR THIRUKKOIL” The temple is situated in a vast area in a very greeny location, which is surrounded by several historical forts. The true attraction is the entrance of the temple, which has been built by the Pandya kings, built with the sculptures that portrait numerous epic events. According to our historical record, this temple has been built by the Pandya king Malayathuaja Pandian and Dharma Devashai. Even in our epic Silappathikaram, the beauty of this temple has been described in a fabulous manner. The temple is considered as the home of Lord Perumal, who is located in the name of “Alagar”. This is one of the remarkable locations for the best photo shoot. In the downstairs we find, Kalalazhagar temple; in the middle of the way, we can find Pazhamudircholai (one of the Arupadai Veedu – God Murugan) and finally, we can view Rakkayi temple where we found “ Theertha Vaari” – The sacred water from the river Gangai.

BSEpic - Madurai Photography Kallalalagar Temple

Now let us describe our new friends who stole our food and some of our equipment’s. However, we have got back those. They are truly mischievous and very dangerous guys. Yes, we are talking about the Wild monkeys which are truly tricky and smart thieves. To reach the KALLALAGAR temple we have to walk through a forest for nearly 5kms to reach. It is like a trekking. These kms are truly like a “Temple run game” where we have to be very careful with these monkeys. We have seen in several movies, the monkeys have played the role of our friend like and very interactive with humans. But the truth is they are very interactive but with their own group. They communicate so well to their crew and loot our belonging so perfectly. No option will be given to us to bargain with them. However, sometimes they are so cute like when we park our vehicle; they use them as their saloon to groom up their beauty. Moreover, they look so beautiful when they pose for our clicks. These are our experience at Madurai.

BSEpic - Madurai Photography Kallalalagar Temple

Now let us discuss their behaviours and their manner towards us: The below tips will be very useful to you, when you are planning to visit Alagarkoil, especially in summer.

  1. Monkeys can be your pet like, but our suggestion is never to feed them and do not leave food before them.
  2. They literally hate our smile and our teeth. So never show your teeth in front of them.
  3. While offering food or something, never tease them. As they may become their victim in a few minutes.
  4. If you are alone, never think to scare them. This will surely lead to some dangerous things.
  5. If you see monkeys, just move away slowly, always facing them.
  6. They always love to have a group. Even you too follow the same. Never leave your crew.

These tips were collected after our visit to this beautiful temple. Now we have a better understanding of this wild apes and we will be super prepared before we visit the temple. Similarly, these will also be useful for you to plan your vacation. And you can you’re your visit accordingly.

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Preserve Our Hidden History

BSEpic-Preserve Our Hidden History

BSEpic, the leading innovative photography company, went for a photo shoot to Madurai. The shoot has been arranged at the most famous temple KALLALAZHAGAR. While searching for the location, we found a hidden historical place without maintenance. It is more like empty dry dessert. However, the place has a small temple in the middle and surrounded by the steps which have been filled with Pilgrimage symbols. After researching, we found that the place is the tank that belongs to the temple KALLALAZHAGAR. To make you aware of this historical tank, BSEpic proudly presents this blog.

It would be a great pain to say Indians don’t value history. There exists an assumption that the people consider only the statues rather than their historical epigraphies. Our ancient people left numerous written records that speak about our history and our prosperity. They aren’t only recorded events in palm leaves and copper plates, but also they left them in our Temple walls and building stones. Even when we visit some 1000 or 100 years old temple, we can see several epigraphies which found non-maintained. Not only epigraphies but also several historical places and their values have put into the dark without the knowledge of Tamilnadu people.

BSEpic - Madurai Photography | Hidden Historical Place

To the people’s view, Madurai in Tamilnadu is considered as the ideal pilgrimage place. When we heard about the word Madurai, we tend to think of MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE. Moreover, it also has a KALLALAZHAGAR Temple and Karmegha Perumal Temple in Madurai for Vaishnavites (those who worship Lord Vishnu). A lot of old temples are not maintained properly and their historical features are hidden by someone. One among them is a big tank, which is found near the famous temple of KALLALAZHAGAR. This tank is truly big when compared to MADURAI VANDIYUR TEMPLE tank. However, no one knows about this type of historical places.

BSEpic-Wedding-Photography-PackagesIn our ancient days, our ancestors build temple tanks fully filled with water. This concept was implemented just to offer water to the people who are in thirst while travelling. To the sad part, this tank found dry land with no sign of water. Even the tank looks like an un-maintained playground with the small portion of the temple situated in the middle of the tank. The steps were filled with dry grass that gives the feel of a desert. The priest in the temple maintains only the famous temple rather ignoring this tank. We found these steps were painted with the forehead symbol of Lord Perumal (The V shape with the red line in the middle). However, it clearly found that these paintings were done when the temple is built.

 

BSEpic - Madurai Photography | Hidden Historical Place

Like this tank, several historical places of South India were not known to the people, as their importance was kept in a dark or purposely hidden by some people. However, some temple hidden information has been revealed by the foreigners and was published to the people. Nevertheless, this is only a fraction of the information in the state that has been published. Temple authorities like priest; Management team forgets that these are treasures that speak about our history. They focus only on deities’ rather neglecting temple history.

BSEpic - Madurai Photography | Hidden Historical Place

As a conclusion, even today several foreign countries are willing to study our history. But we, Indian people, will never want to even view some information about our ancestors and ancient places. These historical places should be maintained well and the Government should take step to preserve these places in order to preserve our history.  They must form a group or team to visit these places and look if they are maintained well by the temple authorities. Such visits would also reveal hidden histories that have remained unknown so far.

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