The Alagiyasingar or Azhagiyasingar Temple is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu and is located in Thiruvali, a village in the Mayiladuthurai district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple, built in the Dravidian style, is mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early mediaeval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Vishnu, known as Alagiyasingar, and his spouse Lakshmi, known as Purnavalli.

The temple is surrounded by a stone wall that encloses all of its shrines. The Cholas are thought to have built the temple, with later expansions by the Vijayanagara and Thanjavur Nayak monarchs around the 16th century. Alagiyasingar is said to have appeared to Thirumangai Alvar here. Thirunagari temple is strongly related to the temple’s legend.

Story/Legend of the Azhagiyasingar Temple

According to Hindu legend, Karthama Prajapathi, a son of Brahma, performed penance in order to acquire moksha by adoring Vishnu. Vishnu was displeased, and Lakshmi, his consort, desired to grant him moksha right away. Karthama was born a prince named Sangabalan during the Kali Yuga. He wished to marry Kumudavalli, a devout devotee of Vishnu when he was young. She stated that she would marry him only if he fed thousands of Vishnu worshippers. Sangabalan began feeding the worshippers and, when he ran out of money, turned to stealing. Vishnu appeared in disguise with Lakshmi, and Sangabalan attempted to rob them as well.

Vishnu became into Thirumangai Alvar after hearing the Ashtatra Mantra. Thirumangai Alvar is said to have worshipped five Narasimhars, including this one. The temple is also known as the Lakshmi Narasimha Kshetram and the Vayalali Manavalan. Another version holds that Vishnu caused his wife Lakshmi to be born as the daughter of sage Purna so that he might bless both her and Thirumangai Alvar at the same time. This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Azhagiyasingar Temple

The temple’s exact history could not be determined. The Cholas are thought to have erected it, with later extensions by the Vijayanagar and Thanjavur Nayak monarchs. Kulasekara Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar respected the Alagiyasingar shrine in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th-9th century Vaishnava canon. The temple is a Divya Desam, which is one of the 108 Vishnu temples described in the Book. Both this temple and the Thirunagari temple are mentioned in Alvar songs, hence they are classified as one Divya Desam. The temple was described in Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar’s 108 Tirupathi Anthathi throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

Architecture of Azhagiyasingar Temple

The Alagiyasingar temple is around 0.5 acres (0.20 hectares) in size. The temple is encircled by granite walls and is encased in a rectangular enclosure. The image of the presiding god, Alagiyasingar, is housed in the centre. The granite figure is displayed in a sitting posture, with Lakshmi seated on his lap on the right side. This is an unusual pose because the image of Lakshmi on Narasimhar temples is generally sculpted on the left side. Thiruvali Nagaralan is the festival deity, and his image is also enshrined in the sanctum.

Outside the temple walls, opposite the Garuda Mandapam, is a Thirumangai Alvar shrine facing south. The image of Narasimhar in the temple is thought to be one of the five original images of Narasimha worshipped by Thirumangai Alvar. Outside the compound wall, the temple mast, Garuda’s shrine, and a four-pillared hall are positioned axially to the sanctum.

Facts about Azhagiyasingar Temple

• Azhagiyasingar Temple in Thiruvali, a village in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
• Alagiyasingar is believed to have appeared to Thirumangai Alvar at this place. The legend of the temple is closely associated with the Thirunagari temple.
  
• The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
• As per another legend, Vishnu took the avatar of Narasimha to slay the demon king Hiryankasipu.
•  It is believed that since Narasimha did an aalinganam (meaning hug), the place came to be known as Thiruvali.
• The uniqueness of this temple is that Lakshmi is seen seated on the right side of Narasimmar, which is quite rare to get darshan of as Lakshmi is usually shown on the left side of Swamy Narasimmar in most temples. Ahishekam on Swathy Star Day bestows the divine couple’s blessings.
• The Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam is the most prominent festival of the temple.

Famous Festivals In Azhagiyasingar Temple

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• The Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January–February).
  

How to reach Azhagiyasingar Temple

Azhagiyasingar Temple is located in Thiruvali, a village in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

By Air: Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

By Railway: Nearest Railway Station is located at Sirkazhi.

By Roadways: Thiruvali is located about 9 km from Sirkali on the Poompuhar road and 4 km north of Thirunangur. The temple is about 1 km from the bus stop.

Also Read – Vedarajan Temple Thirunagari