Agastheeswarar Temple, Pancheshti – The Temple
This is
a south facing temple with 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The presiding deities in the
temple are Agastheeswarar and his consort Ananthavalli. While the two are in
separate shrines in the sanctum sanctorum, devotees can get darshan of both
from a single viewpoint. Agastheeswarar is facing east, while Ananthavalli
faces south. Nandi and Dwaja Sthambam are situated in the prakaram faces the
sanctum. This holy place is said to have references in ancient Naadi Astrology
for various Pariharams (remedies).
Rajagopuram:
The
Rajagopuram is south facing with five tiers. The Rajagopuram houses plenty of
beautiful and intricate sculptures in the outer and inner walls. Though this is
a Shiva temple, the Rajagopuram has the sculptures of both Shiva and Vaishnava
Gods and stands as a symbol of Shiva-Vaishnava unison. The entire walls of Raja Gopuram, have
sculptures connected to incidents from all the 4 Yugas. The Rajagopuram
displays penances in Kretha Yuga by Parvathi among the Panchagni, Brahma in Tretha
Yuga, Arjuna in the Dwapara Yuga and Agastya in the Kali Yuga. The
Wall facing Ambal has Ashta Dik Balakas on one side and Navagrahas on the other
side. There are three depictions of Lord Brahma are found on three of the
numerous long panels in the Rajagopuram.
There
are many small frescoes of Dasavatharam, Mohini (Mahavishnu) distributing
Amrutham (Celestial Nectar which evolved upon the churning of Paarkadal), to
Devas, Lord
Shiva resting on Parvathi’s lap out of
dizziness as he drank the poison emerged out while churning Paarkadal, Dharma
Sastha (incarnation of Lord
Ayyappa) on Gaja (Elephant) Vaahana along
with wives Poorna and Pushkala, Mahavishnu’s Anantha Sayanam, Brahma on Lotus
seen emerged from Lord Vishnu’s Naabi (Navel), Arjuna performing Thapas
(penance) on Agni to obtain Pasupathastra (Lord Shiva’s arrow) from Lord Shiva,
Rahu Ketu being created, marriage of Shiva, Yaga by Brahma and Vishnu, Kannappa
Nayanar, Krishna Leelas etc.
Agastheeswarar Shrine:
Presiding
Deity is called as Agastheeswarar. Both Agastheeswarar and Mother Ananthavalli
are present in the sanctum in such a way that we can have the Dharshan of both
of them from the same place. Agastheeswarar is facing East & situated on
the left of Mother Shrine and Goddess Ananthavalli is facing South. The
Swayambu lingam is believed to have been present before the arrival of
Agasthiar itself and got the name Agastheeswarar after his worship.
Agastheeswarar
is a Swayambu lingam present with an umbrella of the five headed Nagarajan. Agastheeswarar
is present as Sivasakthi by having Manonmani Ambal inside Shiva Shrine. It is
believed that Manonmani Ambal was consecrated by Agasthiyar. Sage Agasthiyar
and Naalvars are present in the sanctum hall. Ganesha, Dakshina Murthi, Vishnu,
Brahma and Durgai are the niche idols on the sanctum walls.
Ananthavalli Shrine:
Mother
is called as Ananthavalli and is facing south. The Ambal Shrine houses the
Amman who is about 3 feet tall on a pedestal Goddess Ananthavalli is facing the
Rajagopuram entrance directly. More importance is given to Ambal in this temple
and the Raja Gopuram (Main Tower) itself is facing south towards Ambal. All the
sculptures in Raja Gopuram are made to face Ambal. Goddess Ananthavalli is made
of Maragatha (emerald) stone and is present with her left leg in front and with
3 eyes. Her right eye is sun and left eye is moon.
Here she
has taken a Chathru Samhara form keeping her left leg in front in order to
drive away the evil forces and the demons that had come to disturb Agasthiyar’s
poojas. So, it is believed that worshipping her will drive away all the evil
forces, obstacles and enemies of her devotees. To calm down Ambal, Agasthiar
has installed a Maha Yantra, also called Durga Yantra in a platform in front of
her, containing the ‘Sapthasee’ Manthra of Devi Mahatmiyam that includes 700
mantras representing Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Kali.
Abishekams
are performed to this Yantra on Tuesdays and Fridays and also poojas during
Rahu Kaalam timings. The Navagrahas are present in the Rajagopuram directly
facing the Ambal, all facing the same direction (normally each one will face
different direction) with Lord Saturn uniquely present with an Eagle vahanam.
So, worshipping Ambal will remove all the Navagraha doshas.
Also,
the Ashtadikpalakas (8 Directional Gods) Indran – East, Agni (Fire) – South East,
Yama – South, Nrithi – South West, Varuna (Rain) -West, Vayu (Air) – Northwest,
Gubera – North and Isana – Northeast representing the 8 directions are present
in the Rajagopuram directly facing the Goddess. Since the Gods representing the
8 directions are all facing the same direction facing the Goddess here, Devotees
will be relieved of all the troubles faced by these Gods.
The
sculptures of Adhi Devathas (Gods) connected to the Maha Yantra which is
installed in front of Ambal, is sculpted at the ceiling of the entrance in Raja
Gopuram. This Yantra is called Ekadasa Kona (11 angled) Maha Yantra which
contains sculptures of all the Gods pertaining to the Maha Yantra which is
found in front of Goddess. Abirami Bhattar’s Abirami Andhadhi and Aadhi
Sankarar’s Soundarya Lahiri have many verses glorifying the 3 eyed
Ananthavalli.
Ishta Lingeswarar Shrine:
There is
a separate shrine for the Shiva Lingam called Ishta Lingeswarar in the Temple
premises. It is believed that Sage Agasthiyar’s disciple, Sage Pulasthiyar has
installed a Shiva Lingam and worshipped the Lord here. This shrine is situated in
the northern corner of the temple and is facing south. A tree stands beside the
shrine, serving as a canopy for the lingam. Devotees believe that prayers to
this lingam will help overcome legal problems and regain lost official
position.
Bhairavar Shrine:
Bhairavar
sannidhi is situated next to the Ishta Lingeswarar Shrine.
Balamurugan Shrine:
There is
also a small shrine for Balamuruga in which Lord Muruga is seen in Srishti
Kolam (means gesture of a creator), which he did when he captured the powers of
Lord Brahma and started doing the job of creation by himself, when once Brahma
couldn’t answer Lord Muruga on the meaning for Omkara. Lord Murugan is in the
prayoga posture with kamandala and rudraksha in his hand.
Snake Pit:
A very
old Snake pit is present in the northern outside praharam, where people have
seen a snake living even now and it is believed to be here protecting some
hidden treasures of the temple. Incidentally the Agastheeswarar and Ishta
lingams are also present with an umbrella of snake.
Navagraha Shrine:
There is
a Navagraha Shrine in the Temple premises. Navagraha shrine is present
beautifully on a lotus base.
Other Shrines:
There
are also shrines for Siddhi Vinayaka Ganapathy, Suryan and Chandikeswarar
in the temple premises.
Theertham:
The
Temple Tank, Agasthiyar Theertham is situated outside the eastern praharam of
the Temple. Agasthya Theertham, said to have been created when the Agasthiar
drank the sea, spitting a little of it out in this place. The great sage later
returned to Kailasam, at Shiva's urging, but he is said to visit here every
Vaikasi full moon. Also, river Ganges (holy Ganga) merges in this Theertham
during the Full moon days of Thamizh month ‘Vaikasi’. If one makes a dip here
in this water on the said day, it is said that he will never have a re-birth in
this world again. Many devotees come to take bath on that day.
Sthala Vriksham:
The
Sthala Vriksham is the Vilvam and there is a huge Banyan tree also inside the
Temple.
Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple:
Lakshmi
Narayana Perumal temple is another small temple located adjacent to this Shiva
Temple.