Devotional illustration · Artistic interpretation of the temple
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
This wooded abode is associated with the story of Murugan and the poet Avvaiyar. Murugan is worshipped here with Valli and Deivanai.
What is special here
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A forest shrine rather than a monumental temple
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The Avvaiyar story, the riddle of the roasted fruit, belongs to this hill
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Noopura Gangai, a natural spring at the top, with sweet water held to be medicinal
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Worship here is said to have begun with the vel alone, before any image
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Closes earliest of the six, at 7:30 in the evening
4 chapters · about 3 minutes. History, what is remembered here, and what makes this place special.
The day at Pazhamudircholai
Daily
6:00 am – 7:30 pm
This is a forest shrine above the Kallazhagar temple, and it closes earliest of the six abodes. The hill road and the last stretch on foot both need daylight, so plan the ascent rather than the closing time.
Poojas and alankarams
6:00 am – 6:15 am
Thiruvanandal pooja
The waking service.
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Kalasandhi pooja
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Uchikkala pooja
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sayaraksha pooja
The evening service comes early here, with the light in the grove.
7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Palliyarai pooja
The night service that closes the day.
Published by the temple administration · checked September 19, 2026. Times are the temple’s published schedule, not a guarantee. Services move with the calendar, the crowd and the priests’ discretion, so confirm before you travel for a particular kalam.
Festival days are different
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Alankara abhishekam is among the offerings the temple lists; times are arranged at the temple rather than published. Confirm on arrival.
Words used above
Kalam
One of the fixed worship periods of the day. A temple's day is divided into kalams, and each one is a complete service rather than a passing moment.
Abhishekam
The ritual bathing of the deity, with water, milk, sandal, honey and other offerings.
Alankaram
The adornment that follows the bathing: the robes, jewels, sandal and flowers in which Murugan is dressed for that kalam. Several temples give each kalam its own named alankaram, so the same deity is seen in a different aspect through the day.
Deeparadhanai
The waving of lamps that closes a service, when the adorned deity is shown to those standing before the sanctum.
Palliyarai
The night service in the bedchamber, when the processional deity is brought to rest and the temple closes.
Your visit
Self-recorded visits are private. Your six-abode milestone grows with each place you visit.
Find your way
Plan the onward journey from Madurai and check local transport and opening windows before setting out.
Starting point (optional)
Opens Google Maps for available routes and travel estimates. With no starting point, Maps can use your current location. Opening hours, fares and festival access need current confirmation.
A moment of darshan
Devotional illustration inspired by raja alankaram. Adornments vary with temple practice and occasion.