The sixth day of the brahmotsavam of Sundararaja Perumal Temple at Alagarkoil featured Lord Kallazhagar appearing in the ten avatars, Dasavataram, of Lord Vishnu at Ramarayar Mandapam on the northern bank of the Vaigai in Madurai on Tuesday night. This was followed by an early morning procession on Wednesday.
According to a legend, Mandooga Maharishi, after his redemption from Doorvasar’s curse by Lord Kallazhagar near the Thenur Mandapam the previous day, expressed a desire to see all the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu. Granting his wish, Lord Kallazhagar appeared in Dasavataram on the banks of the Vaigai. This event is re-enacted on the sixth day of the Chithirai festival.
People, who flocked to Madurai in large numbers during the Chithirai festival, assembled around the Ramarayar Mandapam to see Lord Kallazhagar in Dasavataram – Matcha, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki avatars. The belief is that Lord Vishnu descends on earth whenever dharma is threatened by evil forces.