The unique Koodal Azhagar Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The peak of this temple built in eight parts is such that its shadow does not fall on the earth. The idol of Lord Vishnu in this temple is in a sitting posture. This idol looks very divine and grand to see.
According to the belief, this temple was originally built by the kings of Pandya dynasty between 12th to 14th century. Later Vijayanagara and Madurai kings built the main hall and other shrines of the temple in the 16th century. It is one of the major ancient temples of South India.
According to the inscriptions found here, this temple is more than 600 years old. Inside the temple there are different idols of Lord Vishnu in sitting, standing and lying postures, which are made of granite. The statue installed in the sitting posture is 6 feet tall. Wood carvings have also been done inside the temple.
There is a granite wall around the temple, which surrounds all the temples inside it. The temple has images of sages, Dasavatara, Lakshmi Narasimha, Lakshmi Narayana and Narayanamurthy, but the most unique thing about this temple is that the shadow of the spire of the temple does not fall on the ground. This temple is one of the 108 divine places of Lord Vishnu.
According to religious beliefs, at this place Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Koodal Azhagar to kill the demon Somaka. The description of this place is also found in the seventh chapter of Brahmanda Purana.