Koodal Azhagar Temple

The temple carries a five-tiered Rajagopuram. The sanctum holds Sundararaja Perumal seated with his consorts, and a processional deity of panchaloga. The inner sanctum walls bear paintings of the Ashtadikpalakas, and the vimana carries stucco figures of a reclining and a standing Viṣṇu. It is held that the shadow of the vimana does not fall on the ground.

The shrine of Mathuravalli Thayar lies to the south of the main shrine. The first precinct holds shrines of Andal, Narasimha and Manavala Mamuni, the Andal shrine carrying puranic paintings and inscriptions of holy hymns. The second precinct holds shrines of Garuda, Anjaneya, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika and the Alwars, with a shrine of Surya Narayana and the Navagraha.

The temple is believed to have been built by the Pāṇḍyas, with the Vijayanagara and Nāyaka rulers adding the pillared mandapas and shrines in the 16th century. An 8th-century inscription records the donation of granite stones for the Ardha Mandapa. A Madurai Nāyaka ruler raised the flag mast and the mandapa before the holy pond, the Hema Pushkarani.

In 1923 CE Devakottai Muthu Alagappa Chettiar built the Mathuravalli Thayar shrine and renovated the temple. Periyalvar, Tirumazhisai Alwar and Tirumangai Alwar, placed between the 5th and 9th centuries, have sung in praise of Koodal Azhagar.

It is told that King Vallabadeva wished to know the inner meaning of the saying to collect provisions in summer and save for winter. Vishnuchita, then in Madurai, expounded the Vedas and taught the king that attaining the feet of Narayana is the only path to salvation. Honoured with gold, Vishnuchita used it to build the gateway tower of Srivilliputhur, and on his way back composed and recited the Pallandu. From then he was called Periyalvar.