Salem Alagirinathar Temple or Kottai Perumal Koil or Kottai Alagirinathar Temple is a famous and ancient Temple was built 1000 years ago is located in Anna Salai, I Agraharam, Salem District, Tamil Nadu State. The main deity is Sri Vishnu is seen in a standing posture with a conch, chakra, bow and arrow, and a mace with a height of 10 feet. Sri Sundaravalli is in Yoga Padmasana sitting posture, is the consort of Alagirinatha Swamy.
The vimana above the shrine is called Sarvadobadri vimana. Pure rice is offered as Nivedhana to the Lord. Lord Adhi Venugopala is in a separate shrine who was the temple’s first deity. Thare is a 10 feet Garuda idol and Hanuman idol near the flag post facing Sundararaja Perumal. It is said that Sri Anjaneya did penance here to attain the state of Brahmma. It is said that Sri Hanuman stayed and had a bath in Manimutharu River who accompanied Sri Rama in search of Sita Devi.
Devotees participate in the Sri Andal Wedding Festival to eliminate the harmful effects on their wedding affairs. They also pray to Lord Santhana Gopalakrishnan under the Punnai tree in the temple for the blessing of children.
As per history, the deities were shifted to Karapura Nathar Kovil because in 1854 Perumal temple came into the ruins. In 1865, the temple got rebuilt and the deities were moved back to the temple.
Sri Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanthi, Krishna Jayanthi, Aandaal Thirukalyanam, Vaikunta Ekadesi, Pavithrotsavam, Brahmotsavam, Puratasi and Navratri. Photography and videography are permitted.
Salem Sri Alagirinathar Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 am to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 5.00 pm to 9.00 PM
Kottai Perumal Koil Pooja Timings:
Kaala Shanthi Pooja – 8:00 AM
Uchchi Kaala Pooja – 12:00 Noon
Raakkaala Pooja – 8:00 PM
Salem Alagirinathar Temple History:
The story begins with sage Brugu’s visit to Vaikunta when Lord was speaking with Mother Mahalakshmi. Lord pretended not to have noticed the sage’s visit. Angry Sage dared to strike the Lord for his indifference. Realizing this, Mother left the place in anger. The Lord removed the eye of wisdom from his feet and rendered him powerless to teach a lesson. Sage, realizing his folly, asked for forgiveness from the Lord. The sage has been advised to first obtain forgiveness from the Mother.
The sage came to this place and did penance to Mother Mahalakshmi. One day he found a pretty girl sitting alone and crying. He took the girl, named her Sundaravalli and raised her. When she reached the age to marriage, the sage discovered that Lord Narayana was only a worthy partner for Sundaravalli and prayed to him.
Lord came as Azhagirinathar and married Sundaravalli. Sage came to know that the child he had raised was only Mother Mahalakshmi and asked for her forgiveness. Lord Azhagianathar and Mother Sundaravalli pardoned the rishi. They stayed right here as Sage Brugu wished.
Salem Alagirinathar Temple Address:
Bridge,
Anna Salai,
I Agraharam,
Salem,
Tamil Nadu – 636001.
