Alagarmalai Cave
Alagarmalai cave of Madurai |
About: |
Alagar Kooil is situated at the foot of two hillocks, 21 km north east of Madurai, the second most populous city in Tamilnadu. In religious terms, the place is called Alagar Kooil (kooil meaning temple). In geographical terms, the place is called Alagar Malai (malai meaning hill). The maximum height the twin hills attain is 300 m. But they enjoy a higher status because of the perennial springs and the diverse flora and fauna that the hills support. Though contaminated and depleted, the forests of Alagar Malai are believed to be a great source for many species of herb, even today. A proposal to designate Alagar Kooil Valley as a protected region for the conservation of the endangered species of Grizzled Giant Squirrel is pending. The species, Ratufa Macroura, also known as the Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel, has only one designated protected site in India, about a 100 km south of Alagar Kooil in Senbagattooppu near Raajapaalayam. The squirrels are fewer than 300 in number. These caves are considered important because they are among the earliest stone monuments in these regions. They also contain epigraphic records written in the Brahmi script. It is even said that the Hindu temples in and around Madurai were fashioned after these caves. Thirunarankondrai, a village near Ulundurpet, was a famous Jain pilgrim centre. It was also a seat of learning where monks and scholars from all over India gathered. The carved images of Paraswanathar, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, is found on the top of a hill here. He is portrayed in a standing position, with a serpent's hood spread above his head. The people in this area refer to Paraswanathar as Appandainathar.. |
Location info: |
| Address:Anaimalai, Alagarmalai, Tiruparankundram Madurai. |
| District:Madurai. |
| Nearest City: Madurai. |
| Best time to visit: September-March |
Climate/Weather: |
The summer months are very uncomfortable with May being the hottest month. Temperatures reach as high as 38º Celsius in May.The monsoon season in Madurai stretches from September to November. During this period the city of Madurai is susceptible to heavy torrential rains. Summer: 37.5°C -26.3°C, Winter: 29.6°C - 20.9°C |
History: |
Alagar Malai is etched in the early history of Tamil, being one among a number of sites around Madurai with Tamil Brahmi inscriptions - in caves with evidence of habitation by Jaina monks. Alagar Kooil, the temple, which stands inside a fortification that is largely in ruin, appears to have been continuously built over from the beginning of the second millennium, if not earlier. Jaatavarman Sundara Paandian, who reigned in Madurai between 1251 - 1270 CE, is believed to have gold-plated the tower of the temple’s sanctum. The origins which obviously go further back in antiquity intertwine with myth thereon. Malayadvaja Paandian, the son of Kulaseekara Paandian, the founder of the city of Madurai, appears to be the earliest to patronise this temple. It is interesting that the sister of Alagar, Miinaakshi, the principal icon of Madurai, is believed to have been born to Malayadvaja Paandian. The history of both Alagar Kooil and the great Miinaakshi temple of Madurai assume greater certainty in the Naayakaa period. A long line of Naayakaa kings, beginning with the patriarch of this lineage, Krishna Deeva Raayaa, have patronised the temple right up to the pre-modern era, when British colonisation brought to halt all further activity. |
Interesting things to Visit: |
Meenakshi Temple :Madurai or is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. This city is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers. The Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple around which he created a lotus shaped city. It has been a center of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Legend has it that the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva's locks gave the city its name - 'Madhurapuri', now known as "Madurai".Madurai is famous for its Meenakshi Temple, one of India's biggest Temples which is dedicated to Meenakshi, the consort of lord Shiva. Exquisite sculptures, hall of thousand pillars, icons, photographs & illustrations make this Temple a famous tourist spot. The Temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture. The Meenakshi temple complex is one of the largest and certainly one of the most ancient. According to legend Madurai is the actual site where the wedding between Shiva and Meenakshi took place. The gigantic temple complex, the statues exploring the entire range of human emotions, everything here is larger than life. The soaring and exquisitely carved towers enclose the temple dedicated to Meenakashi. The south gateway contains the twin temples of Shiva and Meenakshi and is about nine storeys high. |
How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Madurai Junction |
| Nearest Airport:Madurai Airport |
| Road Transport:Well connected by a good roads and bus services to and from Chennai, Bangalore and other places. |
Nearest Visiting places: |
Tirunelveli : Thirunelveli, the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu is described as a microcosm of the state. The district has diverse geographical and physical features such as high and lofty mountains and low plains, rivers, cascades, seacoast, thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life. Kalugumalai: Information about Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. Kalugumalai locates in between Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. This small beautiful town has great historic background and religious land. Kodaikanal :Kodaikanal, 2135 metres (7000 feet) above sea level is a lovely hill resort which lies amidst the sylvan grandeur of the Palani Hills in the dindugal district. The nearest railhead is Kodaikanal Road on southern Railways. From Kodaikanal Road, one has to travel 80 kms. (50 miles) by road to reach Kodaikanal. Two-thirds of this motor journey up the hill through the ghats is an exciting experience with the vista and scenery changing at every bend and curve on the mountain road. |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| Petrol Pump :Madurai,India |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Hotel Vijay Hotel Germanus Hotel Supreme Hotel Park Plaza The Madurai Residency Taj Garden Retreat |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station: Police Station Sellur Police station Anna Nagar Police Station Southgate Police station Bazzar Police station B1 Police Station Keerathurai Police Station Womens Police Station Tallakulam Police Station Andalpuram Police Station |
Nearest Hospital: Chirstian Mission Hospital Visaka Poly Clinic Vijaya Vennila Hospital Brain Nerves Hospital |
Alagarmalai Cave |
| Tirunelveli |
| Thirunelveli, the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu is described as a microcosm of the state. The district has diverse geographical and physical features such as high and lofty mountains and low plains, rivers, cascades, seacoast, thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life........................more |
| Kalugumalai: |
| Information about Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. Kalugumalai locates in between Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. This small beautiful town has great historic background and religious land.............................more |
| Kodaikanal: |
| Kodaikanal, 2135 metres (7000 feet) above sea level is a lovely hill resort which lies amidst the sylvan grandeur of the Palani Hills in the dindugal district. The nearest railhead is Kodaikanal Road on southern Railways. From Kodaikanal Road, one has to travel 80 kms. (50 miles) by road to reach Kodaikanal. Two-thirds of this motor journey up the hill through the ghats is an exciting experience with the vista and scenery changing at every bend and curve on the mountain road..................................more |
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