Agastheeswarar Temple, Ponneri – The Temple
This
temple faces east and has a 3 tired Rajagopuram with two praharams. The temple
is built in the Gajabrushta Style. The Temple was Constructed
by Raja Raja Chola on 2 acres of land. There is a temple tank in front of the
Rajagopuram and 16-pillared stone mandapam with wonderful sculptures in
between. There is a grand Dwajasthambam (flag post) at the outer praharam of
the temple after entering the temple. There is an ancient Nandhi in a small
mandapam just in front of the Dwajasthambam facing the west towards the
sanctum.
There is a stone mandapam with multiple pillars and
meticulous carvings is present in front of the Nandhi. The outer praharam is
huge and peaceful. All the walls of the outer praharam are painted with lots of
Thamizh hymns in praise of various Gods. The entire temple is very neat and
maintained well. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing
east. The Lord Agastheeswarar is present in the sanctum with divine silence and
excellent vibrations. The sanctum is built in Gajabrushta shape (also called
Thoongaanai Maadam), which is in the shape of the back of a sleeping elephant.
This
type of architecture is seen in many of the temples built by the Chozha kings. Ganesha,
Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Durgai and Brahma are the niche idols located
on the sanctum walls. Lord Dhakshinamoorthy (Guru) is seen facing south on the
outer wall of the sanctum. On the outer wall of Sanctum Sanctorum, behind the
shrine, on either side of the central section, are relief sculptures of Plough.
In local language Tamizh, plough is called as 'Eeru'. Gold is called as Pon in
Tamil. Gold Plough would be Pon Eru which eventually became Ponneri,
the name of the town.
Mother is called as Anandhavalli and is facing east. Goddess
Anandhavalli is seen adjacent to the sanctum with a motherly smile showing lots
of grace and mercy to the worshippers. The goddess shrine on the right side of
the lord shrine is a specialty here. The Dwarapalakis statues are found
guarding the Goddess’s shrine near the entrance on either side. There are
sculptures of Raja Raja Chola I on the pillars.
There
are also sculptures of Rajendra Chola and Mummudi Chola on the
pillars. This shows that these Cholas have visited the temple and had offered
grants to the temple. There are sculptures of Kannappa Nayanar in 2 places. One
near the sanctum sanctorum and another in the mandapa outside the temple. There
is also a sculpture of one of the later Vijayanagara Kings which is present on
the pillars of the mandapam. This temple also has received various grants and
patronage by Vijayanagara kings.
In one
of the pillars, sage Agasthiar is also carved to mark his stay here and his
penance towards Lord Agastheeswarar. There are shrines of Bhairavar, Surya, Ganesha,
Navagrahas, Naalvar, Nataraja, Sivakami, Veeerabadhra, Kalahasthishwarar, Abithagujambal,
Nagas, Gnanapoongothai and Valli Devasena Samedha Lord Murugan in the temple
premises. All the gods here face the east.
There is
a beautiful pond outside the temple which is called Agasthya Theertham which
serves as the Theertham for the temple. It is believed to be created by Sage
Agasthya. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam (Aegle marmelos). This temple has received
many donations in form of lands and gold during the Chola period.
