Agastheeswarar Temple, Villivakkam – The Temple
This temple
spreads across an area of two acres with two prakarams. The temple is big but
there is no Rajagopuram. The Temple has only entrance with stucco images of
Rishabaroodar with Dwarapalakas, Murugan, Ganesha and Nandhis. The sanctum
faces the east direction as usual, but the temple entrance faces the southern
direction. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar. The sanctum houses the
presiding deity in the form of big Lingam.
The
entrance has two big and attractive Dwarapalaka idols. In addition, the
entrance has the idols of Ganesha and Kartikeya in either sides. Kartikeya is
found in Brahma Shasta form here, holding Japamala. A small Nandi idol is
found in the Maha mandapam facing towards the sanctum. Outside, the tall flag
staff, bali peetha and Nandi mandapam are found that face towards the west
direction.
The
Vimana is typical Chola style Gajabrushta. Ganesh, Dhakshinamoorthi,
Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are found as the niche idols around the sanctum
walls. The images are old and look beautiful. Chandikeswara is found in his
usual location. Mother is called as Swarnambikai. The
Goddess Swarnambikai is found in a separate south facing shrine
located in the inner prakara of the main shrine. She is in standing posture.
There
are shrines of Ganapati, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Saraswathi
and Lakshmi (they were originally found at the entrance of Swarnambikai shrine;
during renovation, the idols are moved here), Kasi Vishwanathar, Vishalakshi,
Agastya, Utsava deities of Uma & Maheshwara, Somaskanda, Agastya, Ganesha
and Nataraja & Sivakami in the inner prakaram.
There
are few idols found in the inner prakara, which are not housed in separate
sub-shrines. They are Surya, Chandra, Bhairava, Adhikara Nandi and Nalvar. There
is a standing Nandi (Adhikara Nandi) with human form and Bull face facing
the lingam in a small niche near the door. The outer prakara is a vast open
space area with a lot of trees and plants.
Eleven
small Shiva Lingas, the Sthala Vriksham Vilva, Adi Sankarar, a small idol of
Goddess called Vilveswari / Vilvambigai and Navagraha are located in the outer
prakara. Navagraha was originally placed in the opposite direction Swarnambikai
shrine. Swarnambikai facing Guru was considered as auspicious; somehow during
the renovation work, the temple authorities shifted Navagrahas to the outer
prakara.
There is
a separate shrine for Veerabhadra located outside the main temple complex
opposite to south side entrance. He appears with two sharp teeth with a Danda
in his left hand. Daksha is before him in a bowing form. Lord Veerabhadra is
facing north, the direction of Kubera the Lord of Wealth. People pray here seeking
prosperity boon. Hence, he is praised as Ishwarya Veerabhadra.
Mother
Bhadrakali shrine is in the front mandapam. As Lord Veerabhadra is another form
of Lord Shiva, Pradosha pujas and one-time puja on the Shivarathri day are
dedicated to him. There are few holy trees found together. Nagars are around
Neem and Peepal tree on a raised platform. Devotees worship during Aadi Tamil
month.
Planet
Mars created a spring here and worshipped Lord Shiva for relief from a curse.
This Theertham called as Angaraka Theertham is situated outside the temple.
Hence, the temple is also famous as a Mars – Angaraka Parihara Sthala. The
temple tank is equally big as the Temple. Lord Valampuri Vinayaka is nearby
facing north. Unfortunately, there is no water in this tank. Else, it would
have been an awesome sight.
The Sthala
Vriksham is Vilvam. Sage Agasthya planted a Vilvam plant (which has got
medicinal and spiritual healing power) and hence the name. The temple has a
very old Vilvam tree which the priests consider sacred and use its leaves for
the daily puja.
