Pancheshti Agastheeswarar Temple, Thiruvallur

Address

Pancheshti, Ponneri, Thiruvallur District – 601 204

Mobile: +91 93823 16493 / 98413 17500

The Temple remains open from 05.00 AM to 01.00 PM and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.

Moolavar

Agastheeswarar

Amman

Anandhavalli

Introduction

Agastheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Pancheshti in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Anandhavalli

Puranic Significance

Sukethu’s curse: Once at Kailasam, when Shiva was teaching the Shiva Philosophy with Parvathi sitting next to him, a yatchan called Sukethu questioned him whether it is ok to teach the philosophy while Parvathy is sitting along. Shiva just smiled but Lord Muruga got angry since Parvathy is always part of Shiva himself and so cursed him to become a demon. He then married another demon and gave birth to 3 sons. The 3 sons, knowing the curse of his father, did a penance towards Goddess Parasakthi and got all the powers.With this they disturbed everyone in the Celestial world and so all the Devas went to Sage Agasthiar to do something. Agasthiar then prayed to Lord Shiva and he appeared as a Rishaba rudar along with Parvathi, Vinayagar, Murugan and Nandhi Devar and gave the necessary powers to Sage Agasthiar. Meanwhile Sukethu fought with other demons and on becoming tired went and hid himself under the sea. The 3 sons then searched their father in the sea and created a Pralayam there. All the lives of sea were affected and so Agasthiar just drank the whole sea and it became completely dry. The Devars then requested Agasthiar to bring back the sea and Agasthiar spit a little water at Pancheshti and it became the ‘Agasthya Theertham’ and let the remaining water back to the sea itself. In the process, Sukethu and his sons were caught inside the stomach of Agasthiar and they requested pardon. Agasthiar then made them take a dip at the ‘Agasthya Theertham’ and conduct five yagnas – Deva Yagna, Brahma Yagna, Pithur Yagna, Bootha Yagna and Manuda Yagna. Finally, they got their curse cleared off.

Pancheshti: Once Sages Vasishtar, Gouthama and Kanvar went to Lord Brahma to suggest them a suitable place on earth to do tapas. Brahma then made a wheel out of some Dharbai grass and rolled it over.The place where it stopped is Pancheshti. Sage Agasthiar conducted five yagnas (Pancha means five, Ishti means Yagna) and so the name Pancheshti. Agasthiar was so attached to this place that he didn’t want to return to Kailasam after his work was over. Only Lord Shiva could finally convince him. Since the place is blessed by Agasthiar, there is copious ground water and supplies water to Chennai city whenever there is a scarcity. So, it is called ‘Pancham Theerkum Pancheti’ meaning ‘Starvation solving Pancheshti’.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1000 years old. This south-facing temple features a five-tiered Rajagopuram, housing intricate sculptures of Shiva and Vaishnava deities. The main deities are Agastheeswarar and Ananthavalli, enshrined in separate sanctums but visible from a single viewpoint. The temple’s architecture and sculptures narrate stories from different ages, depicting significant events and legends. Agastheeswarar Shrine contains a swayambu lingam adorned with a five-headed Nagarajan umbrella. Ananthavalli Shrine features the emerald stone idol of the goddess, symbolizing protection against evil forces. The temple also houses separate shrines for Ishta Lingeswarar, Bhairavar, and Balamurugan. Additionally, there are sacred sites like the Snake Pit and Navagraha Shrine within the temple premises. The temple tank, Agasthiyar Theertham, is believed to have divine significance, especially during Vaikasi full moons.

Belief

In Hindu mythology, any temple facing the South is called Parihara Sthalam, in which one can find remedy for any kind of problems in life. Doing Annadhanam (free feeding) here is considered most auspicious and believed that it will get us back the lost positions, possessions and will help attain God’s feet. Lighting the Ghee lamp here, one is removed of all his sins.

Festivals

All Full moon days, Pradhosham days, Ragu Kalams on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, Pancha parvanhal, Navarathri, Shivarathri, Thiruvathirai, Panguni Uthira Kalyana Uthsavam,Vaikasi Visakam,Thai Poosam and Aadi Pooram are most auspicious here and celebrated in a grand manner.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/05/agastheeswarar-temple-pancheshti-thiruvallur.html