Sri Kallazhagar Temple (Thirumalirunjolai)

Sri Kallazhagar Temple at Thirumalirunjolai (Alagar Koil) is one of the most beloved Divya Desams in the Pandya Nadu region, perched on the scenic Alagar Hills near Madurai. The deity Kallazhagar — meaning "the beautiful Lord on the stone hill" — is also known as Sundararaja Perumal. This temple holds immense significance as it was glorified by Periyazhwar (Vishnuchitta), one of the greatest Azhwars, who served here as the temple gardener and later won the famous religious debate at the Pandya court in Madurai. His daughter Andal, the only female Azhwar, also sang passionately about Kallazhagar. The Chithirai festival, when the deity descends from the hill to the Vaigai River in Madurai, is one of the grandest temple festivals in all of South India, attracting millions of devotees.