Aanur Astrapurisvara Shiva Temple, Kanchipuram

lightuptemple April 28, 2021May 24, 20220

Address

Aanur Astrapurisvara Shiva Temple, Aanur, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu 603405 Phone: +91-9551066441, +91-9841716694

Diety

Astrapurisvara Amman: Soundara valli

Introduction

Astrapurisvara Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located in Aanur Village near Chengalpet in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is located at the entrance of Aanur village, has rich a past as well. Aanur has 3 ancient temples. They are the Asthra Pureeswarar Shiva temple in dilapidated condition; the Vedha Narayana Perumal temple, also in dilapidated condition and the Kandhaswamy temple that was renovated recently. Kootruva Nayanar and Poet Pugazhendi lived here. Lord Shiva is facing East and Soundara valli Ambal is facing south; Ambal and Swamy can be worshipped from the artha mandapam at the same time. One time pooja is taking place daily. Although the deity in the Siva temple is now known as Astapurisvarar, inscriptions show that the original name was Vambankaattu Mahadevan.

Puranic Significance

An inscription of the time of Raja Raja I, speaks of musical instruments used in the temple — Padagam,Thimilai, Karadigai, kaalam, sekandi. It is said that Arjunan got the Pasupatha Astram from Lord Shiva at this place and hence the Lord is called Asthrapureeswarar. The nearby hill is also called Asthra hill. It is said that people will be freed from court cases and encumbrances by worshipping the Lord and Ambal here. The temple was built by Vijaya Kamba Varma Pallavan during the 7th century whose son Aparajita Varma Pallavan was defeated by Adhithya Chola I that marked the end of Pallava regime and the beginning of Chola regime. The temple was patronized by the Chola Kings Paranthaka, Rajaraja and Kulothunga and the Nayakkars of the Vijayanagara period.