01Kubera’s treasure
The temple’s katha says Kubera lost his wealth through a curse after looking on Mata Parvati with desire. He repented, and Mahadev and Parvati told him to do penance at Thirukkolur. Vishnu restored his treasure and lay down here to guard it, a marakkal, the measure for grain, beneath his head. The katha of King Ambarisha and Durvasa is also told here. The reclining image faces east, and devotees pray here in times of loss.
02Madhurakavi’s village
Nammalvar sang Thirukkolur in a decad of the Thiruvaimozhi, eleven pasurams, and named it once more; twelve are counted. Madhurakavi Alvar was born in this village and sang only of his guru Nammalvar, in the eleven verses of the Kanninun Siruthambu. On the fifth day of the Avani festival Madhurakavi is carried round the streets on the swan vahana. The Navagraha reckoning makes the temple Sevvai’s (Mars). Rani Mangammal of Madurai refurbished the temple at the end of the 17th century.
The life of this place
- Alvar periodNammalvar sings Thirukkolur; Madhurakavi Alvar is born here.
- 1689–1704The temple is refurbished during the reign of Rani Mangammal of Madurai.
About 3 km from Alwarthirunagari. The ten-day festival is in Avani (August–September).
