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.
