Sri Asthrapureeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அஸ்தரபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Anoor, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th August, 2017.

After Kumbhabhishekam of  Sri Munkumeeswarar Temple at P.V. Kalathur, Chengalpattu,  we continued our journey to Anoor on the banks of River Palar. The temple is about 12 KM from Chengalpattu.

Moolavar : Sri Asthrapureeswarar
Consort   : Sri Soundara Valli  

The Salient features of this temple are....

The temple is facing East with a Deepasthambam and an entrance arch. Nandhi, Palipedam and platform for dwajasthambam are immediately after the entrance arch. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala,  Arthamandapam and a muka mandapam. Now only the pillars are standing in the muka mandapam. The pillars are simple without ornamental capital. 

In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Durgai moorthams are there. Came to know that some of the statues were stolen. It was interesting to note that Dwarabalakars, Vinayagar, and Murugan are as reliefs chiseled at the entrance of the sanctum. Pallava and early Chozha period Thavvai /  Jyeshta with manthan and manthi / Agni matha  and a Vinayagar are found on the south side prakaram wall. Construction of  Vinayagar and Subramaniyar sannadhis are in progress.

The temple was built with stone and Vimana with brick. The Temple and the prakaram  walls are in dilapidated condition and renovation is in progress. ( Understood R.E.A.C.H Foundation under the leadership of Mr Sathyamurthy involved in renovation of the this temple ). Renovation is being carried out in a traditional way of using lime mortar.

HISTORY

Kootruva Nayanar and Pugazzhendi lived here. The original temple was built by Pallava King Vijaya Kamba Varman during 7^th century. His son Aparajitha Varman was defeated by the Chozha King Adhithya Chozha-I, this paved the way for the Chozha's regime. After the Pallavas, the temple had the contributions of Chozha kings Pranthaka, Rajaraja, Kulothunga and Nayakas during Vijayanagara period. As per the inscription this place was called as "Sathyasraya Kulakala Chathurvedi mangalam" also Aniyur, Anniyur and Adhiyur. This place was under Jayankonda Chozha mandalathu Kalathur Kottathu, Kalathur Nadu. Lord Shiva was called as "Thiruvampangattu Mahadevar".  

The inscriptions on the sanctum wall belongs to 6^th to 7^th century Pallavas, 9^th century Chozhas and 16^th century Vijayanagara period  The Rajendra Chozha period inscription speaks about the musical instruments like Padagam, Thimilai, Karadigai, Kalam and Sekandi. 

The Pallava King Kamba Varman period inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Aithara Kiramaviththan.  

 

LEGEND

As per the legend Arjunan has got the Pasupatha asthram from Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Asthrapureeswarar and the hill nearby is called as Asthra hill.

It is also believed that court cases and encumbrances will get relieved after worshiping Lord Shiva and Ambal of this temple. 

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 a Lotus panel on the ceiling

 Inscriptions

 Inscriptions

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---