Kallidaikurichi Agastheeshwarar Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Kallidaikurichi Agastheeshwarar Temple – Thirunelveli

Kallidaikurichi,

Thirunelveli district,

Tamil Nadu – 627416

Moolavar

Agastheeshwarar

Amman

Lopamudra.

Introduction

Location:

• Situated in Kallidaikurichi, Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
• Located on the southern bank of the river Thamirabarani, around 12 km west of Cheranmahadevi.
• There is another Agastheeshwarar temple in Ambasamudram.

Deities:

• Presiding Deity: Agastheeshwarar (Lord Shiva, associated with Sage Agastya).
• Mother Goddess: Lopamudra (wife of Sage Agastya).
• Other Idols: Ganesha, Uma & Maheshwara (Shiva Linga), Pazhani Andi (Kartikeya), Subramanya, Valli, Devasena, Navagraha.

Historical Significance:

• The temple is dedicated to Sage Agastya, who is believed to have installed many Shiva Lingas across South India.
• Legend: Agastya was tasked by Lord Shiva to balance the earth when it tilted due to the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Agastya visited various locations, including Kallidaikurichi, where he rested under a tamarind tree before proceeding to Podhigai hills.
• A devotee’s unwavering devotion led Sage Agastya to give darshan in Ambasamudram and accept food offered by him.

Temple Features:

• The Agastheeshwarar temple in Kallidaikurichi is a small structure, which may have been renovated multiple times.
• Agastya is the main deity, depicted in a sitting posture in the sanctum sanctorum facing east.
• The Goddess Lopamudra has a separate north-facing shrine, depicted in a standing posture holding a flower in her right arm.
• Prakara (enclosure) around the main shrine with small idols of Ganesha, Uma & Maheshwara (Shiva Linga), and Pazhani Andi (Kartikeya).
• Outer Prakara contains sub-shrines for Ganesha, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, and Navagraha.
• Koshta idols of Dhakshinamoorthi and Vishnu Durga on the outer wall of the main shrine.
• A small sub-shrine with metal (Utsava) idols of Agastya and Lopamudra.

Temple Structure:

• The temple does not have a tower (Shikhara) but has a flagstaff and bali peetha (offering platform).

Festivals:

• Celebrates all Shiva-related festivals with special emphasis on Masi Magam.
• Other key festivals include those related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Lopamudra.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/04/agastheeshwarar-temple-kallidaikurichi.html

Century/Period

1500 Years Old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Kallidaikurichi

Nearest Railway Station

Ambasamudram.

Nearest Airport

Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai.

Location on Map

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