Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam, Chennai

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam, Chennai

Agastheeshwarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kolapakkam Village near Porur in Chennai City in Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar / Vakeeswarar and Mother is called as Ananthavalli. The temple is East facing with entrance from the south through a gate. This temple is said to be over 1300 years old.

Kolapakkam was also called Sivapaadha Sekhara Nallur in ancient times. While the presiding deity is Shiva, this temple is considered as one of the Navagrahas temple (Suryan sthalam) around Chennai region. The Sun God is given prominence in this temple, where all important deities of the temples are facing Surya Bhagavan shrine.

The Navagraha Temples around Chennai are:

1. Kolampakkam – Agastheeshwarar Temple (Surya)

2. Somangalam – Somanadheeswarar Temple (Chandran)

3. Poonamallee – Vaitheeswarar Temple (Angarakan)

4. Kovur – Sundareswarar Temple (Budhan)

5. Porur – Ramanatheswarar Temple (Guru)

6. Mangadu – Velleeswarar Temple (Sukran)

7. Pozhichalur – Agastheeshwarar Temple (Sani)

8. Kundrathur – Nageswarar Temple (Rahu)

9. Gerugampakkam – Neelakandeswarar Temple (Kethu)

Legends

Agastheeshwarar:

As per the legend, the sage Agastya had worshiped Shiva here and it is believed he installed the Shiva Linga. Hence, the deity is called as Agastheeshwarar.

Surya Sthalam:

It is also believed that Surya had worshiped Shiva in this temple and this temple has become a Surya Sthalam.

Vakeeswarar:

As per the legend, the sage Vageesar had worshiped Shiva in this Temple. Hence, the deity is also called as Vakeeswarar.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/04/agastheeshwarar-temple-kolapakkam-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/04/agastheeshwarar-temple-kolapakkam-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.

Festivals

Special days like Pradoshams, Shivarathri etc., are celebrated well in this temple. Devotees throng from different parts of the city during such days.

Contact

Agastheeshwarar Temple

Sivan Koil Street, Kolapakkam,

Chennai – 600116

Mobile: +91 9976596342

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/04/agastheeshwarar-temple-kolapakkam-connectivity.html

Location | Photos

References

http://www.dharsanam.com/2008/04/kolappaakkam-sri-agatheeswarar.html

http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2016/05/kolapakkam.html

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam – Connectivity

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Samiyar Kolam Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Gerugambakkam, 5 Kms from Porur, 6 Kms from Porur Junction, 10 Kms from Mangadu, 8 Kms from Kundrathur, 12 Kms from Meenambakkam Metro Station, 10 Kms from Guindy Railway Station, 11 Kms from Meenambakkam Railway Station, 10 Kms from Tirusulam Railway Station, 25 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 18 Kms from Tambaram Railway Station, 21 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 12 Kms from Chennai Airport and 22 Kms from Chennai.

To reach Kolapakkam, one has two road routes, one from Porur to Kolapakkam via Gerugambakkam and the other road is diagonally opposite to MIOT Hospitals off. Mount Poonamallee Road to Kolapakkam. At the Ramavaram signal you can take a left turn into Manapakkam and this road will lead to Kolapakkam which is about 3 Kms from there. There are lot of buses and share autos available from Porur, Meenambakkam and Guindy to this temple. 

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam – History

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam – History

Like most of the temple around Porur locality of Chennai, this temple was also built by the Cholas. Aditya Chola I of 9^th century CE had renovated the temple. There were contributions by various kings such as Rajaraja Chola I, Rajaraja Chola II, Kulothunga Chola III, Sundara Pandya, Vijayaganda Gopala (Telugu Chola) and a King of Sri Vijaya of Sumatra Islands, as per the inscriptions found in this temple. The temple was in ruins till 1998 after it is renovated in the following years. The ASI had found inscriptions in Tamil on five loose stones in the Temple. Two of these were issued by Rajaraja Chola (A.D. 985-1014).

An inscription found in the temple stated that, A king by name Sri Vijaya Maharaja of Sumatra Island (Indonesia) has gifted 250 Kuzhi (Thamizh is a unit to measure lands) of lands to Agastheeshwarar at Kolapakkam, during the 8^th year of his reign. Sri Vijaya Maharaja was contemporary to Raja Raja Chozha and had very cordial relationship with the then Chozha kingdom. The inscription revealed details of Buddhist activities nearby the temple and Sri Vijaya Maharaja was a Buddhist.

The deciphering of the above inscription led to the unearthing of the artefacts of two beautiful Buddha statues and ornamental pillars. The Buddhas are in dhyana (meditation) pose. The Buddha sculptures are three feet tall. One sculpture has a dharma chakra on either side of the Buddha. The other sculpture has a three-tiered umbrella above the Buddha's head and women bearing fly-whisks. The face of this Buddha has Mongoloid features and this sculpture shows South-East Asian influence. One of the ornamental pillars unearthed has a bas-relief of a human face, with a head-gear that shows South-East Asian influence.

An image of Ganesa is carved on this pillar. Kolapakkam perhaps was a centre of Buddhist activity. This area coming under Thondaimandalam was noted for Buddhist activity about 1,000 years ago, prior to the Chola period. Buddha statues have been discovered at Mangadu, Irandaamkattai, Kunrathur and Pattu villages, within a few kilometers of Kolapakkam, on the outskirts of Chennai. It is believed that Sri Vijaya Maharaja could have visited the Buddhist shrine and visited Agastheeshwarar temple and donated the lands.

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam – The Temple

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Kolapakkam – The Temple

The temple is very small and does not have Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar / Vakeeswarar and is facing east. Nandi Mandapam is found facing towards the sanctum. There is no flag staff. Ganesha, Dakshina Murti, Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga are found as the niche idols around the sanctum. Chandikeswara is found in his usual location. The small idols of Ganesh and Subramanya are found at the entrance of the sanctum. The sanctum is built in the Gajabrushta style.

The deity presiding in the temple is Lord Shiva but the prominence has been given to Surya Bhagavan. As, it is believed that Surya Bhagavan worshipped Lord Shiva here and is one of the Navagrahas temple of Chennai, devoted to Surya Bhagwan. Surya Bhagwan’s shrine is facing the lord to the west while Agastheeshwarar is facing east. Offerings of red cloth, red flowers and wheat are made by the devotees to Suryan.

Rajagopuram is south facing, whereas, all the other important deities are facing towards Surya Bhagwan, signifying the prominence of Surya Bhagwan in the temple. Mother is called as Ananthavalli. She is in standing posture and is facing south. A separate shrine of lord Ganesh known as Raja Ganapathy, is also present. At southwest portion of the temple are the shrines of Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, which are facing east.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Subramanyar along with his consort Valli and Deivanai. This shrine has a green peacock made of granite, known as Maragatha Mayil. There is a separate shrine for Kala Bhairavar in this Temple. Special puja is performed every Sunday to Kala Bhairavar during Rahu Kalam. Devotees believe that their wishes are fulfilled by worshiping Kala Bhairavar here for six consecutive Sundays.

There is also the Rinavimochana Lingeswarar who is supposed to free his devotees of all debts. According to scriptures, every human being is born with three types of debts. They are Deva Rina (debt to God), Rishi Rina (debt to Sages or Rishis) and Pitru Rina (debt to one’s ancestors). There are also well- defined means of repaying these debts. If a man does not repay these debts in his lifetime he will have another birth to repay. There is no escape from repaying these debts.

The unique feature is that the three main deities – The Sun God, Bairavar Idol and the Shivalingam are to be seen through Salaram (window) all at the same time. The Sthala Vriksham is Arasa Maram or Peepal tree. The holy Theertham is Amirtha Pushkarani found adjacent to the temple. The landscape and garden around this temple is maintained excellently.

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Gerugampakkam, Chennai

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Gerugampakkam, Chennai

Neelakandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Gerugampakkam near Porur in Chennai City in Tamilnadu. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Kethu Bhagavan. Presiding Deity is called as Neelakandeswarar and Mother is called as Adi Kamakshi. The temple is believed to have been built during Chola Kings period. Special Poojas and Homams are performed to Kethu Bhagavan during the Rahu Kethu Peyarchi. Thee temple is a popular Parihara Sthalam for those afflicted by Kethu Dosha.

The Navagraha Temples around Chennai are:

1. Kolampakkam – Agastheeshwarar Temple (Surya)

2. Somangalam – Somanadheeswarar Temple (Chandran)

3. Poonamallee – Vaitheeswarar Temple (Angarakan)

4. Kovur – Sundareswarar Temple (Budhan)

5. Porur – Ramanatheswarar Temple (Guru)

6. Mangadu – Velleeswarar Temple (Sukran)

7. Pozhichalur – Agastheeshwarar Temple (Sani)

8. Kundrathur – Nageswarar Temple (Rahu)

9. Gerugampakkam – Neelakandeswarar Temple (Kethu)

Legends

As per Hindu Mythology, Siva swallowed the “Hala Kaala” poison that appeared out when churning of the milky ocean. Mother Parvathi held Lord Shiva’s neck and prevented the poison from descending. Because of this incident his neck became blue. Hence Lord Shiva is called Neelakanda. The word ‘Neela’ in Tamil means blue while ‘Kanda’ denotes the neck.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/04/neelakandeswarar-temple-gerugampakkam-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 09.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 04.30 PM to 07.00 PM.

Festivals

All Shiva related festivals are celebrated here with much pomp and glory. Monthly Pradoshams are also observed here.

Contact

Neelakandeswarar Temple,

Gangaiamman Koil Street, Balakrishnan Nagar,

Balaji Nagar, Tharapakkam,

Gerugampakkam,

Chennai – 600 122

Phone: +91 44 2478 0124

Mobile: +91 99404 38264 / 96771 55245 / 94431 07809

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Gerugampakkam Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Porur, 5 Kms from Porur Junction, 8 Kms from Mangadu, 6 Kms from Kundrathur, 9 Kms from Thiruneermalai and 20 Kms from Chennai.  The temple is situated in between Porur and Kundrathur. On the Porur Kunrathur road before the intersection of the Byepass you will see Gerugampakkam bus stand take a left here and along the narrow cement track take the second left road and the right turn at the Y intersection you will stumble upon the temple. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tambaram (14 Kms), Meenambakkam (15 Kms), Chennai Central (22 Kms) and Egmore (20 Kms). Nearest Metro Station is located at Meenambakkam (15 Kms). Nearest Airport is Chennai International Airport (14 Kms).

Location | Photos

References

http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2016/05/gerugampakkam.html

https://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/temples-within-chennai/

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Gerugampakkam – The Temple

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Gerugampakkam – The Temple

The temple is supposed to be a Chola period temple. However, the current structure is very small without any major signs of Chola period. There is no Rajagopuram, flag staff or bali peetha in this Temple. The entrance to the shrine is from south and temple is facing east. Nagar is situated first in this temple unlike Vinayakar in all the temples.

Presiding Deity is called as Neelakandeswarar and is facing east. The main deity is housed in a small and beautiful sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. The Nandhi Deva found in front of the Lord is considered powerful since he intakes the poisonous breath of the Lord after he consumed the deadly poison. There are no niche idols on the sanctum walls. Ganesha, Nandi, Bhairava and Chandikeswara idols are all found in Arthamandapam.

Mother is called as Adi Kamakshi and she is standing posture. There is a separate south facing shrine dedicated to Mother and she is about 5 feet tall. Her idol is very beautiful and attractive. Kamakshi stands majestically with Pasam & Angusam in two hands and in Abhaya Hastha in other two hands. It is believed that she is the oldest among five different forms of Kamakshi.

There is only outer prakaram and there is no Vimanam over the sanctum of both Lord and Mother. There is a separate shrine for Kethu Bhagavan on the southern side of the sanctum. This Shrine is located on the left-hand side of the entrance. A separate Snake idol is being worshipped as Kethu in this shrine. Special Poojas and Homams are performed to Kethu Bhagavan during Rahu Kethu Peyarchi. Kethu preethi and Kethu Dosha Nivarthi poojas are done on Tuesdays.

The Navagraha (planetary gods) are present in the northern corner of this temple. It has many snake carvings on its ceiling, which indicates that the temple is a Parihara Sthalam. The temple also has a vast pond adjacent to it. The pond is considered quite old and requires proper maintenance. Shrines of Nagar and Kalinga Nardana Krishna are found in the prakara.

Velleeswarar Temple, Mangadu, Chennai

Velleeswarar Temple, Mangadu, Chennai

Velleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Mangadu in Chennai City in Tamilnadu. This temple is located very close to Mangadu Kamakshi AmmanTemple. Presiding Deity is called as Velleeswarar / Sukreeswarar / Bargaveeswarar. There is no Goddess in this temple as she is present in the separate temple (as Kamakshi) nearby. This is a mid-size temple spread over 2 acres and is among the 3 principal temples in Mangadu – the other 2 being the Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple and SriVaikunda Perumal Temple.

It is said that people visiting KamakshiAmman Temple should also have darshan at Velleeswarar Temple and Vaikunda Perumal Temple in Mangadu, as all these three temples are interconnected with the history of Kamakshi Amman. The temple is managed by the HRCE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This temple is Sukran Sthalam among the Navagraha Temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam). Sri Sukran blesses people with wealth, prosperity, good family, vehicles, fame and social status.

The Navagraha Temples around Chennai are:

1. Kolampakkam – Agastheeshwarar Temple (Surya)

2. Somangalam – Somanadheeswarar Temple (Chandran)

3. Poonamallee – Vaitheeswarar Temple (Angarakan)

4. Kovur – Sundareswarar Temple (Budhan)

5. Porur – Ramanatheswarar Temple (Guru)

6. Mangadu – Velleeswarar Temple (Sukran)

7. Pozhichalur – Agastheeshwarar Temple (Sani)

8. Kundrathur – Nageswarar Temple (Rahu)

9. Gerugampakkam – Neelakandeswarar Temple (Kethu)

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/04/velleeswarar-temple-mangadu-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/04/velleeswarar-temple-mangadu-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 06.30 AM to 01.00 PM and 04.30 PM. to 09.00 PM.

Festivals

Tirukarthikai in November-December; Arudra Darshan in December-January and Shivarathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers

Those with impaired vision pray to Lord and Mother for relief. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother and offer Nivedhana prepared with a pulse called Mochai Payaru in Tamil.

Contact

Velleeswarar Temple,

Mangadu – 602 101

Chennai, Kanchipuram District

Phone: +91 44 2627 2053 / 2649 5883

Mobile: +91 94444 61383

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/04/velleeswarar-temple-mangadu-connectivity.html

Location | Photos

Velleeswarar Temple, Mangadu – Connectivity

Velleeswarar Temple, Mangadu – Connectivity

The Temple is located at 500 meters from Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple, 700 meters from Mangadu Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Gerugambakkam, 6 Kms from Porur, 7 Kms from Porur Junction, 4 Kms from Poonamallee, 5 Kms from Kundrathur, 16 Kms from Meenambakkam Metro Station, 14 Kms from Guindy Railway Station, 16 Kms from Meenambakkam Railway Station, 15 Kms from Tirusulam Railway Station, 22 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 18 Kms from Tambaram Railway Station, 19 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 17 Kms from Chennai Airport and 21 Kms from Chennai.

Mangadu is located off the Chennai Bangalore highway on the way from Poonamallee to Kunrathur. While going from Chennai city on Mount Poonamallee road, one must take left from Kumananchaavadi junction to reach Mangadu. This temple is located very close to Mangadu Bus Stop. Frequent Bus services available from Poonamallee, Porur, Tambaram, and Pallavaram.

Bus Routes:

·        From Egmore: M53E, M53P

·        From Central: M53E, 17B, M53P, 54M

·        From Koyambedu: M17BCT