Agni Veerabhadra Swami Temple, Palanganatham, Madurai
Agni
Veerabhadra Swami Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Veerabhadra, a fierce
form of Lord Shiva, located at Palanganatham in Madurai City in Madurai
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agni Veerabadraswami.
Legends
Malayadwaja
Pandya was sad that he had no child. His queen wife Kanchanamala was a staunch
devotee of Mother Parvathi. Rewarding her devotion, Mother Parvathi was born to
her as Meenakshi. She won many kings in battles. When she reached Kailash to
complete her victory, she met Lord Shiva and understood that he would be her
Lord.
Lord
Shiva came down to Madurai to wed Mother Meenakshi along with huge number of
Maharshis, Gods Siddhas and a legion of Devas. He appointed Muniswaran,
Jatamuni and others as securities at different directions. Veerabhadra headed
the group on the southern side. A group of Veerabhadra devotees came to Madurai
from Karnataka. They installed Veerabhadra idol here and built the temple.
History
Palanganatham has prehistoric reference in
Silapathikaram, Kovalan who was wrongly penalized to death for theft visited
this village before his death. There is a place called “Kovalan Pottal” near
TVS Nagar which is supposed to be the place where he was put to death.
The
Temple
This is
a small temple. Presiding Deity is called as Agni Veerabadraswami. Lord Veerabhadra
appears with 8 hands holding weapons, a form called Rudra Palaka. He is wearing
Rudraksha Mala. Daksha with his goat head is near Veerabhadra being killed by
the Lord under his feet. The idol is so live showing Veerabadra’s trident piercing
Daksha’s neck.
In one
hand, he is holding a Deva attending the Yaga to get the Havirbaga and a bell
in the other hand used in the Yaga puja. This is a very rare depiction of Lord Veerabhadra.
There is no Ambica shrine. Nandhi, Lord Anugnai Vinayaka and Nagar are in the
front mandapam. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple
remains open from 6.30 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Besides
regular special pujas on each Poornima day, the temple celebrates Shivarathri in
February-March. Special pujas are dedicated to Nandhi on Pradosha days. Special
pujas and Alankaras are offered to presiding deity on Poornima days. Six-time
puja is performed on Shivarathri day.
Prayers
Majority
of the devotees pray here for relief in wedding problems and for solutions in land
disputes. People facing disputes in land matters, fall in farm yields and
buildings standing half built due to some reasons, come to Lord Veerabhadra for
solutions. As Mars (Sevvai in Tamil) is the authority in land matters, they
bring a little sand from their lands, place it before the Lord and take it back
as Prasad and spill it on their land or building. Then they offer Kesari
Nivedhana with garlands of betel, Vilwa and lime fruits. Those unable to
identify their family deity, consider Lord Veerabhadra as their family deity.
Devotees offer betel leaf garland and sweet pudding Nivedhana to Lord.
Contact
Agni
Veerabadraswami Temple,
Near
Vasanth Nagar Bus Stop,
Palanganatham,
Madurai – 625 003
Phone: +91 452 4376 395
Mobile: +91 94430 55395
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 200 meters from Jeyam Theater Bus Stop, 200 meters
from Vasantha Nagar Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 2.5
Kms from Koodal Azhagar Temple, 2.5 Kms from Periyar Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Mattuthavani
Integrated Bus Terminus, 3 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 4.5 Kms from
Thiruparankundram and 12 Kms from Madurai International Airport. Town buses are
available from Periyar Bus Stand and from Mattuthavani Bus Stand.
Location