Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukattupalli – The Temple
The main tower (Rajagopuram) is of a five-tier model.
The flag post (Kodimaram or Dwajasthambam) is covered by copper. Lord Vinayaka
graces from the right side. This temple with 3 prakarams (outer courtyard)
occupies an area of about an acre. Presiding Deity is called as Agneeswarar /
Theeyaadiyappar. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy with five cobras offering hooded
protection to him.
The Sanctum is 4 steps below the ground level and
the entrance is too small. Sanctum looks like a Pathala Moolasthanam
(underground shrine). This may be due to the fact that the works in
different parts of this temple were carried out during different periods and
proper levelling work was not undertaken. One has to step down four steps to
have darshan and there is provision to go around the Lord.
Mother is called as Vaarkonda Mulaiyammai / Soundara
Nayaki / Azhagammai. Mother Shrine is situated on the right side of the sanctum
and she is facing south. Goddess is seen in standing posture. Dwarabalakis can
be found on either side of the entrance. There is also a Vinayaka within the
shrine. Brahma is also having a separate shrine here. As per temple
legend, Brahma was upset with the curse that he would not be having separate
temple. When he prayed in this temple, He was allowed to have a separate
shrine. It is believed that this was the first temple where Brahma was
installed in a separate shrine.
There are two Dhakshamurthys in the second corridor. Yoga
Dakshina Murthy is located on the ghoshta wall of the inner
prakaram. He could also be viewed from a hole in the outer prakaram
near the Guru Dakshina Murthy shrine. Yoga Dakshinamurthy of this
temple is very popular. His sitting position looks like that of a
monkey. He wears Maharakanti Rudraksham on his neck and Sun and Moon
adorn his braid (head). This is a very rare Murthy which we do not find in
many temples.
There are shrines of Valampuri Vinayagar, Unnamulai
Amman, Srinivasa Perumal with his consorts Sridevi and Boodevi, Saraswathi, and
Sattainathar in the outer prakaram. In the Navagraha shrine (9 Planets) against
the general traditions, all the planets are facing Sun planet. Idols of
Bhairavar and Nalvar can be found in the Mandapam in the inner precinct.
There is a shrine for Lingothbavar next to the Vinayakar
Shrine in the inner prakaram. Usually he is seen as Koshta Moorthy but here it
is unusual. Ardhanareeswarar is seen beside Lingothbavar. Next is the shrine of
Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Then follows the shrines of
Kasi Viswanatha with Mother Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi and Durga.
Apart from the Kudamurutti river, Surya Theertham and
Agni Theertham (in the form of a well) also serve as Temple Theerthams. Taking
bath here on Karthigai Sunday, Masi Magam, Panguni Uthiram, Vaikasi Visakam
days is considered very sacred. There are two Sthala Vrikshams in this Temple namely
Vanni and Vilvam. Inscriptions from the
period of Raja Raja I & other Chola Emperors and the Pandya and Vijayanagar
periods are found here. This temple was part of an old fort captured by the
British in 1771; it was recaptured by Hyder Ali in 1781.
