Thursday, April 2, 2020

Agastheeswarar Temple, Thirupachanur, Villupuram

Agastheeswarar Temple, Thirupachanur, Villupuram
Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirupachanur Village in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Aram Valartha Nayagi. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The place was called as Pasanur in ancient times. The Temple follows Shivagama Agama and conducts one Kaala Pooja.


Legends
Once, Emperor Nala was bit by one of the Ashta Naga, Karkodaka. As a result of this, he got turned to black and ugly looking. It is believed that Emperor Nala got rid of his curse by worshipping Lord Shiva of this Temple. Also, it is believed that Sage Agastya worshipped Lord Shiva here.

The Temple
The Temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Bali Peedam and Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.

Mother is called as Aram Valartha Nayagi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There are shrines for Murugan, Saneeswarar, Vinayaga, Naalvar, Navagrahas, Bhairava and Nataraja with his consort Shivagami in the temple premises. There are idols of Nalan and five headed Karkodakan in the Temple premises.

Festivals
Masi Maha Shivaratri is the famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 31st Patikam in 8th Song.
தேசனூர் வினைதேய
நின்றான் திருவாக்கூர்
பாசனூர் பரமேட்டி
பவித்திர பாவ
நாசனூர் நனிபள்ளி
நள்ளாற்றை அமர்ந்த
ஈசனூர் எய்தமான்
இடையா றிடைமருதே
Contact
Agastheeswarar Temple,
 Thirupachanur – 605 103
Villupuram District
Phone: +91 4146 239 355
Mobile: +91 98438 53641
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Serndhanur Railway Station, 7.5 Kms from Viluppuram, 7.5 Kms from Villupuram New Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Villupuram Old Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Villupuram Junction Railway Station and 155 Kms from Chennai Airport.
Location