Agathiyan Palli Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Agathiyan Palli Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Agathiyan Palli , Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu- 614 810 PH:04369-250012

Diety

Agastheeswarar Amman: Mangai nayagi

Introduction

Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Agathiyampalli Village in Vedaranyam Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Agasthyar Koil. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Mangai Nayagi / Bagampriyal. This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 243rd Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 126th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu. Theertham: Agastya Theertham and Agni Theertham Sthala Vrikshams: Agathi and Vanni Tree.

Puranic Significance

The Temple is believed to be built in 6 th century CE and was completely reconstructed in granite by Cholas. The temple was further renovated by Pandyas and Nayak rulers. Inscriptions dating to the reigns of Rajaraja Chola III, Kulasekara Pandya, Vikrama Pandya and Maravarman Veera Pandya can be found in this temple. The inscriptions records the various grants made to the temple. Lord Shiva was mentioned as Thiruagathiyan Palli Udayar and the place was mentioned as Tharani Muzhuthudaya Valanattu Kundrur Naattu Udayar Thiruagathiyan Palli in the inscriptions found in this temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu. Legend has it that Agastyar witnessed the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati here. Interestingly, the same legend is associated with the Tyagarajar temple at Vedaranyam where a panel depicting the divine marriage is seen behind the Shivalingam in the sanctum. It is believed that Agasthyar built his hermitage here, and trekked up to Vedaranyam each day. Shiva here, is also known as Agnipureeswarar. Shiva’s shrine faces the East while the Ambalshrine faces west.

Beliefs

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:- Remedy from illness.

Special Features

This Temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. There is an entrance arch for this temple at the main road. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram facing towards sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The divine wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati is depicted behind the presiding deity in the wall inside the sanctum. Dakshinamoorthy is the only koshta idol present in the walls of the sanctum. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Mangai Nayagi / Bagampriyal. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Shrines of Siddhi Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Moovar, Ayyanar, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Surya, Navagrahas and Rudhra Ganapathy can be seen in the temple premises.The Navagrahas are in a line facing towards same direction. There is a separate west facing shrine for Agastya in the prakaram. Theerthams associated with this temple are Agastya Theertham and Agni Theertham. Agastya Theertham is situated inside the temple premises and Agni Theertham is the nearby sea. Sthala Vrikshams are Agathi and Vanni Tree. Naga Idols can be seen under the Vanni Tree.

Festivals

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and three yearly festivals on its calendar. The annual Brahmotsavam (prime festival) is attended by thousands of devotees from far and near. The twin festivals celebrated during the full moon days of Tamil month Adi (July – August) and Thai (January – February) attract large number of pilgrims from whole of Tamil Nadu.