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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Sundararaja Perunal Temple
| image = File:SRI ALAGIRINATHAR TEMPLE ( KOTTAI PERUMAAL TEMPLE ), SALEM - panoramio (4).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Entrance of Sundararaja Perumal Temple
| map_type = India Salem#India Tamil Nadu#India
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|11.65|N|78.15|E|type:landmark_region:IN TN|display=inline}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| location = [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Sundararaja Perumal<ref>https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZpejZx3&tag=A%20Topographical%20list%20of%20Inscriptions%20in%20the%20Tamil%20Nadu%20and%20Kerala%20States#book1/</ref> <br />([[Vishnu]])
Sundaravalli <br />([[Lakshmi]])
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator = [[Cheras]], [[Cholas]], [[Pandyas]] and [[Pallavas]]
| website =
}}
{{Vaishnavism}}

'''Alagirinathar Temple''' (also known as '''Kottai Perumal Koil & Kottai Alagirinathar Koil''') is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to the god [[Vishnu]], located on the banks of the [[Thirumanimutharu river]] at [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India.<ref name="maalaimalar.com">{{Cite web |last=மலர் |first=மாலை |date=2022-12-28 |title=கோட்டை பெருமாள் கோவிலில் சிறப்பு தரிசனத்துக்கு ஆன்லைனில் முன்பதிவு {{!}} In Fort Perumal Temple Online booking for Special Darshan |url=https://www.maalaimalar.com/news/district/in-fort-perumal-templeonline-booking-for-special-darshan-554269 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=www.maalaimalar.com |language=ta}}</ref> The temple is one of 108 [[Abhimana Kshethram]] of [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavate]] tradition. The temple is also one of the [[Pancha Kshethram]] where in mythology Vishnu's consort [[Lakshmi]] was born as Bhargavi, the daughter of the sage [[Bhrigu]].

The temple follows [[Vaikhanasa|Vaikhanasa agama]] and the temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' rituals during festivals and on a daily basis. The priests belong to the [[Vadakalai]] sect of [[Vaishnavism]], a Brahmin sub-caste.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

==Legend==
As per Hindu legend, Alagirinathar (Azhagirinathar), a form of [[Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]], appeared for the sage [[Bhrigu]], who performed penance in the bank of Thirumanimuthar.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Sri Azhagirinathar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/New_en.php?id=450|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325030057/http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/New_en.php?id=450|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2014|publisher=Dinamalar|accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref>

The sage did not get the attention of Vishnu and in his anger, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. Vishnu's consort [[Lakshmi]], who also resides in Vishnu's chest, was agitated as her husband did not reprimand the sage for his action. She left their divine abode [[Vaikuntha]] and reached earth and took the form of [[Padmavathi]]. Vishnu followed her and married her.

Padmavathi was still angry with Vishnu. The sage Bhrigu apologized and requested Lakshmi to be born to him as Sundaravalli in his next birth. The sage was reborn as Bhrigu again and performed penance to attain Lakshmi as his daughter.<ref name="dinamalar" /> Vishnu was pleased by the penance and granted his wish. One day, he found a girl under a [[Tulasi]] plant in a garden in his [[ashram]] and influenced by her beauty named him Sundaravali (lit. "beautiful girl"). Vishnu descended to earth as Alagirinathar. He convinced Lakshmi to marry him and the couple eventually got married.<ref name="templesinindiainfo">{{cite web|title=Salem Alagirinathar Temple Timings, History|url=https://templesinindiainfo.com/salem-alagirinathar-temple-timings-history/|publisher=templesinindiainfo|accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref>
<gallery>
Entrance of Mandapa.jpg|Entrance of the Mandapa dedicated to Vishnu
Thulasimadam.B.jpg|Thulasi madam where Sundaravalli is said to be taken by Bhrigu Maharishi
</gallery>

==History==
The Temple is constructed in various periods by various kings. It is said that all the three main kingdoms [[Chera]], [[Chola]] and [[Pandya]]'s had worshipped.<ref>https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/history.php?tid=4867</ref> The temple has received many donations from king [[Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I]], he donated pillars for the temple and assigned [[Purohita|Bhattars]] for the daily aradhanas to [[Vishnu|Perumal]].<ref>https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZpejZx3&tag=A%20Topographical%20list%20of%20Inscriptions%20in%20the%20Tamil%20Nadu%20and%20Kerala%20States</ref>

The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref>[http://www.tnhrce.org/hrce_act_1959.html Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959]</ref>

==Architecture==
The temple has beautiful sculptured pillars and there are many carvings of monkeys on the ceilings of the temple. It is one of the most oldest temples of the district and has 4 huge [[mandapa]]s (halls) - one for the god [[Krishna]] (an [[avatar]] of Vishnu) and other two for Alagirinathar (the chief god) and his consort goddess Sundaravalli. Apart from the shrines of Alagirinathar and Sundaravalli Thayar, there are separate shrines for Venugopla Krishna (a form of Krishna), Kothandarama ([[Rama]]), Santhana gopala (Krishna), [[Sudarshana Chakra|Chakrathazhwar]], [[Andal]], [[Alvars]] and ''[[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavate]] [[acharya]]s''. The temple has a huge Mirror mandapa just like [[Srivilliputhur Andal temple]].<ref name="templesinindiainfo"/> There is a small garden where stories of the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' are portrayed and also has paintings of the epics ''[[Ramayana]]'' and the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. The temple has the ''swarga vasal'' door which opens once a year during [[Vaikuntha Ekadashi]].<ref name="tamil.samayam.com">https://tamil.samayam.com/latest-news/salem/vaikunta-ekadasi-festival-celebrated-in-salem-kottai-alagirinathar-temple/articleshow/79952021.cms</ref>
<gallery>
File:Monkey on the roof.j.jpg|Sculpture of monkey on the temple
File:Perumal vimanam.S.jpg|Alagirinathar's Vimanam
File:Vimanamof.L.jpg|Sundaravalli Thayar's Vimanam
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Abhimana temples of Vishnu]]

Alagirinathar Temple - Revision history

Trevor51P0492: starting basic location needs work