Vadugan Patru Agastheeswarar Temple, Kanyakumari

Address

Vadugan Patru Agastheeswarar Temple, Vadugan Patru, Kanyakumari– 629703

Diety

Agastheeswarar Amman: Aram Valartha Nayagi / Amuthavalli.

Introduction

Agastheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Vadugan Patru Village near Kanyakumari Town in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Aram Valartha Nayagi / Amuthavalli. The place where the temple is situated is called as Vadugan Patru. The place is also called as Agatheechuram / Agastheeswaram. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar.

Puranic Significance

It is believed that the Temple was built by Jayachandra Sri Vallabha Pandya. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. The Temple reached its zenith during Chola rule over this area was attested by various Chola inscriptions available in the Temple premises It is believed that Saint Appar and Sage Agastya along with his wife Lopamudra worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Since, Agastya worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord came to be called as Agastheeswarar and the place came to be called as Agastheeswaram.

Beliefs

The Temple is considered to be Parihara Sthalam for Marriage related problems.

Special Features

The Temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing east. Mother is called as Aram Valartha Nayagi / Amuthavalli. There is a separate east facing shrine for Azhagiya Manavala Perumal along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi in the temple premises. There are also shrines for Agastya along with his consort Lopamudra, Lord Murugan, Sastha, Ganesha and Nagas in the Temple premises. Theertham associated with this Temple is Agastya Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Agathi.