Agastheeswarar Temple, Agathiyampalli, Nagapattinam
Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Agathiyampalli Village in Vedaranyam Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Agasthyar Koil. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Mangai Nayagi / Bagampriyal. This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 243rd Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 126th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/10/agastheeshwarar-temple-agathiyampalli.html
History
The Temple is believed to be built in 6th century CE and was completely reconstructed in granite by Cholas. The temple was further renovated by Pandyas and Nayak rulers. Inscriptions dating to the reigns of Rajaraja Chola III, Kulasekara Pandya, Vikrama Pandya and Maravarman Veera Pandya can be found in this temple. The inscriptions records the various grants made to the temple. Lord Shiva was mentioned as Thiruagathiyan Palli Udayar and the place was mentioned as Tharani Muzhuthudaya Valanattu Kundrur Naattu Udayar Thiruagathiyan Palli in the inscriptions found in this temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. There is an entrance arch for this temple at the main road. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram facing towards sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The divine wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati is depicted behind the presiding deity in the wall inside the sanctum.
Dakshinamoorthy is the only koshta idol present in the walls of the sanctum. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Mangai Nayagi / Bagampriyal. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Shrines of Siddhi Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Moovar, Ayyanar, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Surya, Navagrahas and Rudhra Ganapathy can be seen in the temple premises.
The Navagrahas are in a line facing towards same direction. There is a separate west facing shrine for Agastya in the prakaram. Theerthams associated with this temple are Agastya Theertham and Agni Theertham. Agastya Theertham is situated inside the temple premises and Agni Theertham is the nearby sea. Sthala Vrikshams are Agathi and Vanni Tree. Naga Idols can be seen under the Vanni Tree.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 10.00 AM and 05.00
PM to 06.00 PM
Worship Practices & Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/10/agastheeshwarar-temple-agathiyampalli_8.html
Literary Mention
For brief details, please refer below link;
Contact
Agastheeshwarar Temple
Agathiyampalli,
Vedaranyam Taluk,
Nagapattinam District – 614 810
Phone: +91 4369 250 012
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Agathiyampalli
Railway Station, 2.5 Kms from Vedaranyam, 2.5 Kms from Vedaranyam Main Bus
Stand, 3 Kms from Vedaranyam Railway Station, 9 Kms from Kodiyakarai, 50 Kms
from Nagapattinam and 161 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on
Vedaranyam to Kodiyakarai route. Buses are available from Vedaranyam to reach
this temple.