Manakkal Agastheeshwarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Manakkal Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kumbakonam Main Road, Manakkal Post, Kudavasal Taluk, Thiruvarur – 610 014 Mobile: +91 72995 55527

Diety

Agastheeshwarar Amman: Soundarya Nayaki

Introduction

Agastheeshwarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Manakkal Village in Kudavasal Taluk in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar and Mother is called as Soundarya Nayaki. Manakkal has the reputation of being south of Nachiyar Koil, west of Thirukkannapuram Sowriraja Perumal, south of Lord Abhimuktheeswarar temple. Lord Abhimuktheeswarar temple sung by Saint Appar is also nearby. As many Vedic pundits lived here in days of yore, the place was known as Chadurvedi Mangalam. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theertham is Shiva Kula Theertham. The temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam.

Puranic Significance

Sage Agasthya performed penance here for grant of the wedding darshan of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi that took place in mount Kailash. Hence the name of the Lord is Agastheeshwarar. Mother Parvathi performed penance here to have the hand of Lord and the wedding took place at Tirukaraveeram. Remembering the event, there are shrines of Lord and Ambika here. It is said that Mother stayed in the house for a night before leaving for mount Kailash. Hence, Mother is praised as Andhapura Nayaki. Andhapuram is part of a palace where only women are permitted. The antiquity of the temple goes back to 1500 years. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples built by the Cholas. As the epigraphic details are much ruined due to age, a correct history is not available. There are some evidence of Saint Appar had sung hymns about the nearby Peruvelur and this temple, he could have also sung the praise of Lord Agastheeshwarar of Manakkal temple. The temple was in a dilapidated condition for many years. One Ms. Thyageswari, a worker in a noon-meal centre here took pains to renovate this temple and also have done consecration.

Beliefs

People pray to Lord and Mother for child boon and agreement on marriage talks. Devotees perform special pujas to Lord and Mother in Their wedding form, with new clothes and garlands. Also such pujas are offered to Lord Muruga on Tuesdays, Krithika star days and Sashti days. Hurdles go off in wedding talks. Devotees pray to Lord Bhairava on Ashtami day in new moon fortnight for prosperity and also to Sowbagaya Vinayaka on Chaturthi days.

Special Features

The entrance of the temple is on the western side with Pancha Moorthis since there is no Rajagopuram here. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar and Mother is called as Soundarya Nayaki. Lord Agastheeshwarar graces from a shrine in the sanctum Sanctorum (with one Kalasa). The rays of Sun fall on the feet of the Lord in this temple in the evening of Thai Month –January-February- when Surya puja is performed. Mother Soundarya Nayaki graces the devotees from her shrine facing east. Lord Omkara Ganapathi is on the right side with one Kalasa in a separate shrine, Lord Subramanya with consorts Valli and Deivanai on the left with one Kalasa, Lord Chandikeswara facing south on the rear side with one Kalasa appear on the four sides of the temple. The holy tree Vilwa is opposite to the kitchen – Madapalli. Lord Dakshinamurthy is facing south. There are 14 pillars in the main Nandhi mandapa. Nandhi and Bali peeta are nearby. Lord Bhairava, Planets Saneeswara and Moon are nearby facing west. There are 8 pillars in the Mahamandapam. Lord Mahalingam graces from the eastern side. There is a box nearby containing Thirumurais – hymns sung in praise of Lord – and a beautiful painting. Lord Nardana Vinayaka appears on the west. Lord Adhikara Nandhi blesses in a reclining form. Theertham is Shiva Kula Theertham. The last consecration of the temple was performed on September 15, 2013

Festivals

Tamil new year day falling almost on April 14, Vaikasi Visagam in May-June, Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November, Karthikai Deepam in November – December, Fortnightly Pradosha pujas, New Moon days are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Surya puja is performed in the evenings of month of Thai – January-February – when the rays of Sun fall on the feet of Lord.