Sri Agastheeswarar Temple/அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Akilandapuram / அகிலாண்டபுரம், Kangeyam, Tiruppur Dist, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Akilandapuram a part of Kangayam Town, was a part of the “Kongu Nadu Heritage Visit to Temples, Hero stones, Ayyanar and Jyeshta Devi Sculptures around Kangayam” in Tiruppur District. The place was named after the Ambal Akilandeswari of his temple Akilandapuram.

This temple is believed to be one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam sung by  Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. It is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed by  Sage Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu and a Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. Thirunavukkarau Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of Agatheechuram along with Nandhikechuram, Mahalaechuram, Nagechuram, Kodeechuram, Kondeechuram, Kukkudechuram, Akkeechuram, Adakechuram, Ayaneechuram Aththeechuram, Siddheechuram and Ramechuram.

நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்

        சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுரநன் கான

கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்

        குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூறுங்கால்

ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர

        மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்சுர மந்தண் கானல்

ஈடுதிரை யிராமேசசுர மென்றென் றேத்தி

        யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே.

….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )

 

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are...
The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum under a mandapam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam Chandikeswarar, Nirutha Ganapathy, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Natarajar, Bhairavar, Chandran, Suriyan, Shaniswaran, Navagraha, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Garudan, Anjaneyar and Vinayagar with Nagars.

Ambal Akilandeswari is on the left side of the Moolavar in a separate temple similar to Moolavar.

ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. Ambal temple is also similar to Moolavar temple. Both are interconnected with a common maha mandapam. A two-tier Nagara Vimana is on the top of the sanctum sanctorum. The Adhisthana is of Padmabandha adhistana. The Adhisthana and walls are painted with black color. Couldn’t identify the original structure.     

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the temple was built by Kongu Chozhas / Pandyas. The temple was completely reconstructed in recent years without leaving any trace of antiquity.

A Soolam with an inscription stone is installed in front of the School and temple and white-washed on both sides.

The Vijayanagara Veerasayana Udayar’s 16^th Century inscription records that Kangeyam and the people agreed to give the required paddy and one Panam per month for the night pooja.  The Ompadaikilavi in this inscription is a little different. It says that the person who stops this endowment will become a sapling for 7 rebirths in the Naraga lok.

A 16th-century inscription records the construction of a tub to collect water from the Pranala / Gomukha water, by Pillai Cheraman's friend Thondaiman of Chenganna Kulam of Kongu Vellalar.

Kongu Pandiyar Sundara Pandya’s 8^th reign year inscription records the construction of  Ardha mandapa Mukhavanai (..?) by Chengali’s wife Puliyammai of Vettuva caste Pattali Kavalar Kurumpillar Kulam.

The inscription without the King's name and period records the installation of artha mandapam door frame pillars by Pillaiyalvi alias Piraisoodum Perumal who belongs to Anthai kulam of Kongu Vellalar.

Another inscription without the king’s name and year records the installation of Sanctum Sanctorum door frames pillars Seyyalvan Devan alias Thondaiman of Kaval Venkotrar Kulam of Kongu Nattu Vettuvar Kulam.

The flat stone installed in front of the school inscription belongs to Vijayanagara King Achutha Thevar’s ( 10^th January 1533 ) period. The inscription records that his works were carried out by Then mandala official (Dakshina Bhujam ) Vaalayatheva Maharaja. The same person also holds an official post during Krishnadevaraya’s period. During his period Kangayam citizens and Chandrasekarar Piravikku Nallar assembled at Chariot mandapa. During that time Madavilagam Palur Devar  Devan  Devar Deivasigamani had done the following Charity. He made the waters of three tanks, Kangeyam Chengulam, Vannan vaavi, and Andichi Kuttai Channeled into the Big tank, and the lands that used this water were donated to this temple.  

Vijayanagara period inscription

LEGENDS
As per the legend, during the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati, all the Devas and Maharishis assembled at Mount Kailash. Due to this, the south side of the earth rose up, and the north went down. To balance, Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to the south, believed to be Pothigai hills. On the way, Agasthiyar installed many Shiva Lingams and worshiped them. It is believed that this is one of the places where Agasthiyar installed a Shiva Lingam and worshiped. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Agastheeswarar. A Bas relief of Agasthiyar worshiping a Shiva Lingam is on the base of the Deepa Sthambam. 

Agasthiyar doing pooja

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular Poojas special poojas are conducted on Pournami ( full moon days ), Amavasai ( New moon days ), Monthly pradosam, Kiruthigai, Ashtami, Sashti, and Maha Shivaratri.

Celestial wedding 

12 - Rasis

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The Temple will be kept open between 07.10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH
The temple is at Akilandapuram a part of Kangeyam.
The temple is 2 KM from Kangayam Bus stand, 20.5 KM from Koduvai, 33 KM from Palladam, 30 KM from Tiruppur, 32 KM from Dharapuram, 72 KM from Coimbatore and 441 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Tiruppur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Lord Muruga    ..?

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---