Friday, June 29, 2018

Agastheeswarar Temple, Ponneri – Legends

Agastheeswarar Temple, Ponneri – Legends
When Sage Agasthya was sent to the southern region to balance the level of the Earth as Shiva Parvathi wedding took place in the Himalayas and all Devas and Devotees gathered there. During his journey towards in the south Agasthya Visited many holy temples and performed Pooja. At times he consecrated many Shiva Linga in the places where there were no Shiva temples. One among such temple is Ponneri.
Sage Agasthya was caught with severe stomach pain. He found a Linga in this place and worshipped the lord. Lord Shiva appeared before him and relieved him from his pain. The sage stayed here worshipping the Lord for many years. Therefore, the Shiva was known as Agastheeswarar. Sage Agasthya is also known as Kumbamuni, as he once collected the whole of river Cauvery into his holy pot (Kamandalam).
Since he stayed here in this place for many years this place came to be known as Kumbamuni Mangalam. It is said that Sage Agasthya installed and worshipped about 108 Shiva Lingas in various places here and the 108th Shiva Linga being Ashtothreeswarar (or Nootreteeswarar which means 108th Shiva) at Chinnakkaavanam near this town Ponneri.