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Monday, August 20, 2018

Agastheeswarar Temple, Thiruchunai, Madurai

Agastheeswarar Temple, Thiruchunai, Madurai
Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruchunai Village on a hillock near Melur in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Padagavalli Ambal.



Legends
On the occasion of the wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi, as large number of Devas and Maharshis gathered there, due to their collective weight, north went down and south came upward. To balance the earth level, Lord Shiva asked Muni Agasthya to go to South. The Rishi felt sad that he could not have the luck of witnessing the divine wedding. The Lord assured him that he would grant his darshan at any place he wishes on his way.


On his journey to Pothigai, Agasthya stayed on this hill for a while and wished to see the wedding darshan. He created a spring for his bath. He spilled the water on a rock and worshipped it as Lord Shiva. Lord appeared on a rock opposite to this with Mother Parvathi. As the Lord granted darshan to Agasthya, He is known as Agastheeswarar.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Padagavalli Ambal. While Lord Agastheeswarar is facing east, Mother Padagavalli faces south. While traditionally, Lord Muruga graces from the hill, here Lord Shiva is installed in the hill. As Lord Shiva granted his wedding darshan here, people perform family marriages in this temple.



Lord Sun God generally appears alone at the entrance of the temple. Rarely he graces with his consorts Pradyusha and Usha in the Navagraha group. In this temple, Sun God graces at the entrance of the temple with his consort Usha. Pradyusha is absent. This is said to be a rare form in a temple.



Lord Dakshinamurthy with his disciples, Lingodhbava and Mother Durga grace in the corridor-prakara. There are also shrines for the great four Saivite Saints called Nalvar, Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai and Chandikeswarar. Maharshi Agasthya graces from a separate shrine.



Theertham associated with this temple is Sunai Theertham (Spring water). The spring water is perennial and never dries. The sacred Theertham is behind the Shiva shrine. As this spring was worshipped as Lord Shiva Himself, it is named Thiruchunai.


Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Festivals
Sivarathiri and Thiru karthigai are the festivals celebrated in this Temple with much fanfare.
Prayers
Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, for child boon and progress in education. People perform abishek and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Karungalakudi, 9 Kms from Kottampatty, 17 Kms from Melur, 48 Kms from Madurai, 49 Kms form Madurai Railway Junction and 57 Kms from Madurai Airport. This Temple is situated close to Kottampatty on the Madurai – Trichy highway and the nearest bus stop is located at Karungalakudi (2 Kms).
Location

References