Vembedu Agastheeswarar Temple, Chengalpattu

Address

Vembedu, Thiruporur Taluk,

Chengalpattu District,

Tamil Nadu – 603 110

Mobile: +91 94440 07963 / 9677007842

Moolavar

Agastheeswarar

Amman

Vedavalli / Vedanayaki

Introduction

Agastheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Vembedu Village in Thiruporur Taluk in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Vedavalli / Vedanayaki. This Temple is situated close to Kattur Uthira Vaidhya Lingeswarar Temple. The temple is located at about 50 meters from Vembedu Bus Stop, 24 Kms from Chengalpattu Junction Railway Station, and 38 Kms from Chennai Airport.

Puranic Significance

This Temple is believed to be built by Pandyas as the ceilings of Maha Mandapam have carvings of fish, an emblem of Pandyas. This temple is 1500 years old Shiva temple.

As per the legend, as all the celestial beings went to Himalayas to attend the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the earth lost its balance. To balance the earth, Shiva asked the sage Agastya to travel towards the southern direction. Due to greatness of this sage, he was equivalent to all the celestial beings and as soon as he moved to the southern direction, the earth was balanced back. Agastya did not want to miss the wedding. With the help of Lord Shiva, he got the divine sight and watched the divine marriage in many sites in South India. This temple is one such site where he got the darshan of divine marriage. It is also said that Shiva Linga was installed by him. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Agastheeswarar.

Special Features

This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance gate. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen in the Mukha Mandapam facing the Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Vedavalli / Vedanayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam to the left side of the Sanctum. Carvings of Pandyas emblem fish, Lunar and Solar eclipse can be seen on the ceilings of Maha Mandapam. The Maha Mandapam is supported by 20 granite pillars. There are shrines for Kanni Moolai Vinayagar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Padithurai Vinayagar and Navagrahas in the temple premises. The temple tank is situated on the north side of the temple. Sthala Vrikshams are Vanni tree and Vilwam tree. There is a newly built Anjaneya temple with a huge idol of Anjaneya adjacent to this temple.