Agastheeswarar Temple, Vadugan Patru, Kanyakumari
Agastheeswarar Temple is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Vadugan Patru Village near
Kanyakumari Town in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Aram Valartha Nayagi /
Amuthavalli. The place where the temple is situated is called as Vadugan Patru.
The place is also called as Agatheechuram / Agastheeswaram. The Temple is
considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this
Temple.
Legends
It is believed that Saint
Appar and Sage Agastya along with his wife Lopamudra worshipped Lord Shiva of
this Temple. Since, Agastya worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord came to be called
as Agastheeswarar and the place came to be called as Agastheeswaram.
History
It is believed that the Temple
was built by Jayachandra Sri Vallabha Pandya. The Temple reached its zenith
during Chola rule over this area was attested by various Chola inscriptions
available in the Temple premises.
The Temple
The Temple is facing east with
an entrance arch. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing
east. Mother is called as Aram Valartha Nayagi / Amuthavalli. There is a
separate east facing shrine for Azhagiya Manavala Perumal along with his
consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi in the temple premises. There are also shrines
for Agastya along with his consort Lopamudra, Lord Murugan, Sastha, Ganesha and
Nagas in the Temple premises. Theertham
associated with this Temple is Agastya Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Agathi.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from
06.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 06.00 PM to 07.00 PM.
Festivals
Shivarathri, Ekadasi, Monthly
Pradoshams and Puratasi Saturdays are celebrated here with much fanfare.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this
Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai in 71st
Patikam in 8th Song.
நாடகம் ஆடிடம் நந்திகேச்சுரம் மா காளேச்
சுரம் நாகேச்சுரம் நாகளேச்சுரம் நன்கு ஆன
கோடீச்சுரம் கொண்டீச்சுரம் திண்டீச்சுரம்
குக்குடேச்சுரம் அக்கீச்சுரம் கூறுங்கால்
ஆடகேச்சுரம் அகத்தீச்சுரம் அயனீச்சுரம்
அத்தீச்சுரம் சித்தீச்சுரம் அம் தண் கானல்
ஈடு திரை இராமேச்சுரம் என்று என்று ஏத்தி
இறைவன் உறை சுரம் பலவும் இயம்புவோமே.
Prayers
The Temple is considered to be
Parihara Sthalam for Marriage related problems.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
100 meters from Vadukanpattru Bus Stop, 1 Km from Kottaram, 1 Km from Kottaram
Junction Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Kanyakumari, 6 Kms from Kanyakumari Railway
Station, 10 Kms from Suchindram Railway Station, 10 Kms from Suchindram, 13 Kms
from Nagercoil Junction Railway Station, 17 Kms from Nagercoil, 87 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram Airport and 239 Kms from Madurai Airport. Vadukanpattru is
well connected to Kanyakumari, Nagercoil and Suchindram by Buses.
Location