Agasthiyar Munivar Temple, Agasthiyar Falls,
Papanasam, Thirunelveli
Agasthiyar
Munivar Temple is located very close to Agasthiyar Falls in Papanasam in
Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The temple is situated above the
waterfalls; attached to the rocky walls of the mountain. An idol of Saint
Agasthiyar Munivar is installed here. This is the place where Agasthiyar
Munivar had meditated, during the wedding of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvathi,
to balance the world on the south. Later, Lord Shiva appeared to him and
blessed him.
Sage
Agasthiyar is also known as Kurumuni. His contributions towards Nadi Jodhidam
and Siddha are immense. There are seven great recognized Sages and they are
known as Saptharishis. Sage Agasthiyar is one among them. Agasthiyar Temple in
Papanasam is located at 8°42'22.7"N 77°21'50.1"E or 8.706308,
77.363923.
Legends
The
celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place on the northern
side. Hence all the people reached the northern side to see that auspicious
ceremony. Since all of them reached the north the southern side raised. To
balance this Lord Shiva asked Sage Agasthiyar to move towards South. As
directed by the Lord, Sage Agasthiyar reached southern side and the world got
balanced. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave darshan to the sage at this place
and a temple had been constructed here for the Sage Agasthiyar. Devotees take
bath at the falls and worship this lord. They believed that their sins will
then be absolved.
The
Temple
This is
a small Temple dedicated to Agasthiyar at the top of the waterfalls. One has to
trek to that place from Agasthiyar Falls or Papanasam Falls. Whenever
the water level and flow is high the officials close the trek to this
place. The statues of Agastya and his wife Lopamudra installed on a rock near
the stream look very attractive. It is believed that he is said to have
meditated in this place during the time of wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess
Parvati. This temple was washed away during the 1980s flood and only the base
of the temple remains now. It is situated near Kalyani Theertham.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 4 kms from Papanasam on the hilly terrain near
Agasthiyar falls. One can reach the Agasthiyar falls and temple by trekking a
distance of 3 Kms. Papanasam is around 52 Kms from Thirunelveli, 16 Kms from
Ambasamudram, 34 Kms from Tenkasi, 215 Kms from Madurai and 140 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ambasamudram and
Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.
