Poonthottam Agastheeshwarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Poonthottam Agastheeshwarar Temple, Poonthottam, Thiruvarur district, Tamilnadu

Diety

Agastheeshwarar Amman: Dharmasamvardhini.

Introduction

thottam in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar and Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini. The temple is in Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur main road itself and is considered as a “Guru Sthalam”. The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Poonthottam Bus Stop. Nearest Railway Station is located at Poonthottam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Puranic Significance

The Theertham here is said to have been created by Varuna (one of the Ashtathik Balagas – Kubera, Vayu, Varuna, Nirudhi, Mrithyu, Agni, Indra, Brahmasthan) and hence the name is Varuna Theertham. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. This is a small and old east facing temple with entrance on the west. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar and is facing east. Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini and is facing south. Dakshinamurthy is seen here sitting on top of the 12 Zodiac signs with his hand on the Rishaba vaahana. He is called as Mandala Rasi Gurubagavan. Hence this temple is considered as a Guru Sthalam. Shrines for Ganesha, Muruga, Gajalakshmi, Navagraha, Surya, Chandran, Durga and Dakshinamurthy can be seen in the prakaram. Theertham associated with this temple is Varuna Theertham. There is an Ayyanar Temple adjacent to this Temple.

Festivals

Daily during Guru hora, special poojas are done in this temple. Thursdays are also very special. Local people says that this temple is equivalent to Alangudi