Rakkaayi Amman, Alagar Koil, Madurai

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Rakkaayi Amman	Ambal / Thayar:	–
Deity:	Amman	Historical name:
Vriksham:	Jothi Vriksham, Chandanam	Teertham:	Noopura Gangai
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	7 to 12 & 12 to 7.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Alagar Koil	District:	Madurai
Maps from (click):	Current location	Madurai (29 km)	Sivaganga (37 km)
	Dindigul (48 km)	Karaikudi (75 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

Rakayee Amman, a form of Parvati, is regarded in the puranams as the daughter of Sage Angirsasa and is the presiding deity of all the water bodies at Azhagar Hills, which is also home to the Sundararaja Perumal (Kallazhagar) Divya Desam temple, as well the Murugan temple at Azhagar Koil, which is one of 6 Arupadai Veedu temples.

Rakayee Amman is considered the sister of Sundararaja Perumal (as always, Parvati is regarded as Vishnu’s sister). She protects Sundararaja Perumal during the night, while Adiseshan guards Perumal during the day. Once a year, on the Dwadasi day of the waxing phase of the Tamil month of Aipasi (October-November), Sundararaja Perumal comes over to the Rakayye Amman temple to witness the thaila kaapu for Amman.

The base of the temple is located a few hundred meters further uphill (but not a steep incline) from the Azhagar Malai Murugan temple. Upon reaching the base, one has to climb about 80 steps to the entrance of the shrine, inside which the Rakayee Amman shrine and the Noopura Gangai are located. It is customary to take a bath (or at least sprinkle some water on oneself) in the Noopura Gangai, before proceeding to worship Amman.

Several centuries ago, Rakayee Amman was the chief deity of the tribal and hunter community who used to live in and around Azhagar hills, and the Murugan temple is where they performed the first tonsure (mottai) for their children.

Azhagar Hills may be regarded as an extension of the end of the eastern ghats. The hills have been referred to in many places in classical Tamil / Sangam literature, including the Tirumurugatrupadai, Paripatal (the fifth of the Ettu Thogai) and Silappathikaram.