A Divya Desam in the heart of Madurai, historically referenced in Sangam-era Tamil literature, standing as this ancient temple city's principal Vishnu shrine alongside its far mor…
A Divya Desam in the heart of Madurai, historically referenced in Sangam-era Tamil literature, standing as this ancient temple city's principal Vishnu shrine alongside its far more visited Meenakshi Amman Temple.
The temple is believed by historians to be referenced in Sangam-period Tamil literature, making it one of the more anciently documented Divya Desams, with a continuous history of worship and renovation through the Pandya, Chola, Vijayanagara, and Nayak periods that successively governed Madurai.
The temple follows a Dravidian layout typical of the Madurai region, with the presiding deity depicted in three distinct forms — standing, seated and reclining — within different levels of the sanctum, a relatively unusual architectural and iconographic feature.
Koodal, an old Tamil name for Madurai itself, gives the temple its traditional name, tying it directly to the ancient identity of this temple city — a reminder that Madurai's religious significance long predates its most famous monument, the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning Darshan | 4:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Open | Morning rituals and darshan are available. |
Afternoon Break | 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Closed | Temple remains closed during afternoon hours. |
Evening Darshan | 4:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Open | Evening darshan and rituals are available. |
Temple Closing | — | 8:00 PM | Closed | Final rituals conclude the day. |
Pooja | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Thirukkappu Pooja | 5:30 AM | Free | Temple opening rituals and morning preparations. |
Viswaroopa Pooja | 6:00 AM | Free | Early morning worship and first darshan. |
Kalasanthi Pooja | 8:00 AM | Free | Morning offerings and deeparadhana. |
Uchikala Pooja | 12:00 PM | Free | Midday worship with naivedyam offerings. |
Sayaraksha Pooja | Evening | Free | Evening lamp ceremony and prayers. |
Ardha Jamam Pooja | Night | Free | Final worship before closing. |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 15–30 minutes | Walk-in |
Special Darshan | ₹20 onwards | 5–15 minutes | Temple Counter |
Archana | ₹50 onwards | Immediate | Temple Counter |
Special Sevas | Varies | Advance Booking | Temple Office |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Archana Seva | Daily | ₹50 onwards | Individual prayer offering with deity worship. |
Thirumanjanam | Morning | ₹500 onwards | Sacred bathing ritual with traditional offerings. |
Tulasi Archana | Daily | ₹100 onwards | Offering of Tulasi leaves during worship. |
Sahasranama Archana | Special Days | ₹200 onwards | Chanting of Vishnu names with offerings. |
Special Alankaram | Festival Days | Varies | Decorative arrangements with flowers and ornaments. |
Sankalp Pooja | On Request | Varies | Personalized prayers performed for devotees and families. |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Brahmotsavam | Chithirai (April–May) | Annual festival with special rituals, decorations, and processions. |
Vaikunta Ekadasi | December–January | Special Vishnu worship with extended darshan and devotional programs. |
Float Festival (Theppotsavam) | January–February | Traditional float celebration with deity procession. |
Navaratri Festival | September–October | Special decorations and devotional celebrations. |
Purattasi Saturdays | September–October | Special Vishnu prayers and offerings. |
Adhyayana Utsavam | December–January | Traditional recitation of Divya Prabandham hymns and Vaishnavite celebrations. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Chakkara Pongal | ₹40–₹80 | Sweet rice preparation offered during worship. |
Puliyodarai | ₹30–₹60 | Traditional tamarind rice prasadam. |
Ven Pongal | ₹30–₹60 | Savory rice preparation offered traditionally. |
Laddu | ₹40–₹80 | Sweet prasadam available during special occasions. |
Tulasi Theertham | Free | Sacred water distributed after darshan. |
Nearest airport: Madurai Airport (~12 km). Well connected within Madurai city by local transport.
No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.
Thinking of visiting Koodal Azhagar Temple (Thirukkoodal)? Share your travel dates and group size, and our travel desk will put together a personalised itinerary — transport, stay and darshan timings, all planned around this temple.
📍 Koodal Azhagar Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Madurai.
Search Hotels on Booking.comMadurai offers hotels across all budgets throughout the city.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, and Madurai's old city markets are all within the same city.
