Tuesday, 30 April 2019

Sri Agastheswar Temple and Sri Prathyangira Devi Temple, Padur, near Villupuram, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

16th April 2019.
After Ulundandar Temple’s visit our next destination was Parikal. On the way to Parikal, it was suggested to Visit an old Shiva and a Perumal Temple at Padur.  Since Padur is on the way to Parikal, visited the Shiva temple first and then the Perumal Temple. Local people guide us to this temple if we ask for Sri Prathyangira Devi Temple. 


Moolavar   : Sri Agastheswar
Consort     : Sri Abithakusambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the south side. The temple does not have Rajagopuram. Ambal sannidhi is facing south in the abutting artha mandapam.

In the praharam sannadhi for Ganapathy, Valli Deivanai sametha Subramaniar, Thirugnanasambandar in dance posture and a donor statue. The Prathyangira Devi sannadhi is near the south side entrance. The Local people know more about Prathyangira Devi than Lord Shiva of this temple. On no moon day, "Nikumbalaa" Homam will be conducted in which, Red Chilli, fruits, and vasthram are offered. 

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. There is a 2-pillar mandapam at the south side entrance of the main sanctum. The sanctum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with virutha kumudam.  A Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum. A viyyalavari is above the Kumudam. 
 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS 
Parantaka Chozha-I’s brother and the Rashtrakuta King Kannara Devan ( to be checked ), Kulothungan-II, Rajarajan-III, Seenatharayan,  and Krishnappa Nayaka, who ruled Senji period inscriptions mention  the donation of Lands, Villages, differing of Taxes, burning of perpetual lamps. The Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha donated this Village Padur to Brahmins and called as Chaturvedi mangalam.  From the above details, this temple might have existed before the 11th Century. 14th to 16th Century Vijayanagara Nayak period inscriptions are also found on the kumudam, inscribed during renovations/ Thirupani.

Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was held in 1988 in that Kanchi mutt Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal also participated.

Vijayanagara/ Nayak  period inscriptions

LEGENDS
Agasthiyar and Shukracharya worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. As per the legend, Shukracharya was the Kulaguru for the Mabali Chakravarthi. When Vishnu in Vamana avatar was about to get the three feet of land, Shukracharya advised Mabali not to give, even after Knowing that Vishnu only came as Vamana. As per the law of Sin, obstructing the giving gift to someone is also a sin.  

To get rid of the sin caused Shukracharya worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. The stucco image of this sthala purana is on the south side wall of the prakara. Agasthiyar found out this swayambhu Shiva Linga, installed and worshiped. Hence Lord Shiva is called Agastheeswarar.

 Sthalapurana

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:
Padur Village is on the  Villupuram to Kallakurichi Road.
The Temple & The village Padur are about 28 KM from Villupuram and 10 KM from Ulundurpet.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE




 Stucco Gajalakshmi
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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