Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Agastheeswarar Temple (Vatuka Bairavar Temple), Nabalur, Thiruvallur

Agastheeswarar Temple (Vatuka Bairavar Temple), Nabalur, Thiruvallur
Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Nabalur Village in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is famous for Bhairava worship. Hence this temple is also called as Vatuka Bairavar Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi Amman. The Temple belongs to Chola Period.





Legends
Sage Agasthiyar travelled to South India to visit ancient Shiva temples. One day it was raining heavily. He crossed Kusasthalai River and supposedly reached this place. But, due to the heavy storm he stayed under a tree. He was waiting there for long time. Under heavy lightening, Sage Agasthiyar saw an old boy standing along with a small dog nearby, so he tried to reach that boy but he ran fastly. The Boy stopped at a big Vilva Tree. Following the boy, Sage Agasthya surprised to see a Shiva Lingam under that Vilva Tree.




Sage Agasthya performed Shiva Pooja to that Linga and he was surprised to know that was a Pradosham day. When he was not in a state to recognize himself where he is, he heard a laughing sound of a small boy. Suddenly he saw back, the same small boy with his dog was near to him. Sage identified him as Bairavar and he only guided him for his Shiva Pooja. Sage Agasthya consecrated Vatuka Bhairava in this place and worshipped him. Also, Manikkavacakar is believed to have visited and worshiped here.




The Temple
This is an east facing Temple with 3 tiered Rajagopuram. Nandhi, Dwajasthambam and Balipeedam are located on the prakaram facing sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar. Sanctum is of Gajabrushta style. Mother is called as Kamakshi Amman. There are shrines of Vinayaga, Nataraja, Murugan, Nagas, Navagrahas, Dhakshinamoorthy, Surya, Brahma, Vishnu and Durga in the temple premises. Lord Vatuka Bairavar Shrine is in Easanya corner of the Temple. Theertham associated with this Temple is Gaja Pushkarini. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.





Festivals
Theipirai Ashtami is very well-known here. During this Ashtami Day, it is believed that Ashta Lakshmi's are making their Glorious Presence to Perform Bairavar Pooja. So, those who made worship to Lord Bairavar on Theipirai Ashtami, their ill-effects and other problems will be surely solved. All Pradosham days and Pournami are also celebrated here.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Lakshmapuram, 12 Kms from Thiruthani, 13 Kms from Thiruthani Murugan Temple, 13 Kms from Thiruthani Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Thiruthani Railway Station, 29 Kms from Thiruvallur, 77 Kms from Chennai and 77 Kms from Chennai Airport. From Thiruthani, all Chennai Route Buses (Except Express Buses) will stop at Lakshmapuram.