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.