Arulmigu Koodalagar Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

05:30 – 21:00

Established

8

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Monumental three-tiered vertical shrine: Lord Koodal Azhagar in seated posture (Irundha Kolam) on ground tier, standing (Nindra Kolam) on second tier, and reclining (Kidantha Kolam) on third tier under the Ashtanga Vimana

Religious tradition

Vedic Vaikhanasa / Pancharatra Agamic Tradition & 108 Divya Desam Heritage

Sanskrit name

श्री कूडलगार मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Madurai Koodal Azhagar Temple, Three-Tiered Vishnu Temple Madurai, Ashtanga Vimana Temple Madurai

Darshan hours

Daily

05:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Break timings

12:30 PM - 04:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)

Special days

Vaikunta Ekadashi, Masi Makham, Chithirai Brahmotsavam: 04:00 AM - 11:30 PM (Continuous Darshan)

Festival timings

Open continuously till 11:30 PM on Vaikunta Ekadashi and festival days

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

06:30 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Night aarti

08:30 PM

Special aarti days

Saturdays, Ekadashi, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays

Ritual schedule

Nitya Arukala Puja to all three tiers, Thulasi Archana, Ashtanga Vimana circumambulation, Nalayira Divya Prabandham Parayanam, Garuda Seva

Pooja timings

06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Abhishek timings

Thirumanjanam performed on Saturdays at 07:00 AM to bronze Utsava deities across the tiers

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Early Pandyas; structural vertical vimana enhanced by Medieval Pandyas and Madurai Nayaka King Tirumala Nayaka

Architect / builder

Master traditional royal sthapathis of the Pandyan architectural guild

Construction materials

Solid dressed dark granite stone base, brick-lime monumental Ashtanga Vimana, brass flagstaff, wood-stucco sculptures

Historical events

Periyalvar defeated rival religious scholars in the royal Pandyan court of King Vallabhadeva; Lord Vishnu appeared in the sky on Garuda to congratulate him; overwhelmed, Periyalvar sang "Pallandu Pallandu"

Renovations

Punarprathishta performed with a grand new five-tiered Rajagopuram, marble walkways, and structural preservation of the three vertical tiers under Tamil Nadu HR&CE

Archaeological importance

Crucial Divya Desam monument preserving authentic 8th-16th century Pandyan inscriptions and rare vertical Ashtanga Vimana architecture

Legends

The name "Koodal" means assembly; the four clouds (Varaham, Kalamegam, etc.) assembled to protect the city of Madurai from deluge at the Lord’s command

Inscriptions

More than 40 stone inscriptions in Tamil dating from the 10th to 16th century recording grants of land, gold coins, and perpetual lamps by Pandya and Nayaka monarchs

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

8th Century core with 16th Century CE expansions

Structure

Three-tiered vertical temple pyramid complex where devotees climb through designate stone stairs to worship Vishnu in Seated, Standing, and Reclining postures

Floors

3

Gopuram

Five-tiered 70-foot entrance Rajagopuram facing east, decorated with colorful stucco sculptures of Vishnu legends and Alwars

Mandapa

Spacious Mukhamandapa and Mahamandapa supported by carved granite pillars depicting rearing yalis, musical panels, and Dashavatara sculptures

Sculptural features

Seated Koodal Azhagar on ground tier; standing Surya Narayana on first tier; reclining Ranganatha on second tier; standing Madhuravalli Thayar; carved stone Garuda

Artistic elements

Intricate granite ceiling medallions, embossed silver sanctum frames, gold-plated kalashas, and traditional brass oil lamps

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry combined with a load-bearing vertical brick-and-lime pyramid superstructure

Unique features

The rare Ashtanga Vimana containing three sanctums vertically stacked on top of one another representing Vishnu in Sitting, Standing, and Reclining postures

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, Chaitra Rathotsava, Masi Makham

Special celebration days

Every Saturday, Shukla Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays

Cultural events

Divya Prabandham goshti chanting, classical Carnatic concerts, and Harikatha during festivals

Annual events

The monumental Masi Float Festival (Teppotsavam) in the huge Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam lake drawing over 200,000 devotees

Peak crowd season

Throughout the year; peak during December-January (Vaikunta Ekadashi), Chithirai festival, and Purattasi Saturdays

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

50+ vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.