Pancheshti Agastheeswarar Temple, Thiruvallur

Address

Pancheshti Agastheeswarar Temple, Thiruvallur

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

• Temple Name: Agastheeswarar Temple
• Location: Pancheshti, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu
• Deities:
  • Lord Shiva as Agastheeswarar
  • Goddess Anandhavalli

Puranic Significance

• Sukethu’s Curse:
  • Sukethu, a demon, cursed by Lord Muruga for questioning Shiva’s teachings while Parvathi sat beside him.
  • Sukethu’s three sons caused trouble in the Celestial world and were defeated by Sage Agasthiar.
  • Agasthiar prayed to Shiva and was empowered to resolve the situation, which led to the creation of Agasthya Theertham.
  • Sukethu and his sons were pardoned after performing five yagnas and taking a dip in the Agasthya Theertham.
• Pancheshti:
  • Name derived from Sage Agasthiar performing five yagnas (Pancha Ishti) in the area.
  • Sage Agasthiar performed yagnas after Brahma’s guidance, making Pancheshti a sacred place.
  • Agasthiar refused to leave the place, and Lord Shiva convinced him to return to Kailasam.
  • The area is considered ‘Pancham Theerkum Pancheshti,’ known for its groundwater which helps supply water to Chennai during shortages.

Special Features

• Temple Age: Over 1000 years old.
• Orientation: South-facing temple with a five-tiered Rajagopuram.
• Main Deities:
  • Agastheswarar (Shiva) and Anandhavalli enshrined in separate sanctums, visible from a single viewpoint.
  • Agastheswarar Shrine contains a swayambu lingam with a five-headed Nagarajan umbrella.
  • Anandhavalli Shrine features an emerald stone idol of the goddess.
• Other Shrines:
  • Ishta Lingeswarar, Bhairavar, Balamurugan.
  • Sacred sites: Snake Pit, Navagraha Shrine.
• Temple Tank: Agasthiyar Theertham, with divine significance, especially during Vaikasi full moons.

Belief

• South-facing Temple: Known as Parihara Sthalam, believed to resolve various life problems.
• Annadhanam: Considered most auspicious for regaining lost positions and possessions, as well as attaining spiritual growth.
• Ghee Lamp: Lighting a ghee lamp is believed to remove all sins.

Festivals

• Auspicious Days:
  • All Full moon days, Pradhosham days, Ragu Kalams (Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays).
  • Pancha Parvanhal, Navaratri, Shivarathri, Thiruvathirai, Panguni Uthira Kalyana Uthsavam, Vaikasi Visakam, Thai Poosam, Aadi Pooram.
• Celebrations: Festivals are celebrated in a grand manner at the temple.

References

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

Century/Period

1000 years old.

Nearest Bus Station

Pancheshti

Nearest Railway Station

Ponneri

Nearest Airport

Chennai

Location on Map

lightuptemple