Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், பனங்குடி / Panangudi, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Agastheeswarar Temple at Panangudi was a part of Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2^nd and 3^rd, October 2021.  This temple is on the banks of the Panangudi lake /Eri.

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Sivakamasundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

One balipeedam, two Nandis of which one is in damaged condition are in-front of the temple. Two inscription stone slabs and a base of the Parivara deity’s shrine base are on the out side of the Temple. Jyeshta devi, Vinayagar and Nagar are in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is of Swayambhu on a round avudayar.There is no Koshta images.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, mukha mandapam and maha mandapam. The antarala connects the sanctum sanctorum with mukha mandapam.  The mukha mandapam is very much similar and in line with Sanctum sanctorum. The bitti is separated with 4 brahmakanda pilasters.  The Maha mandapa is joined with mukha mandapam. The adhistanam has Jagathi, kumudam and pattigai. A mandapam might have existed on this base.

The Vimana is with 6 angas / parts and followed Dravida nagara Style. It has Adhistanam, Bitti, Prastaram, Greevam, Sigaram and Stupi.

Adhistanam.. Upana is not visible. The adhistanam has 25 parts, Jagathi, Threepatta kumudam, kampu, kaNdam( with Kanda padas ), kampu, pattigai, kampu and simple, called as Pada bandha adhistanam.

Vedhigai is not there…

Bitti… Bitti or wall is separated by 4 Brahmakandha pilasters. The pilasters do not have square base, but has idaikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam / Kumbham, palikamandi, Palakai and supported the ceiling with veerakandam, Pothyal and Utharam.  Koshtas are with Nagulapada and decorated with uthram, pathra Thoranas.

Prastaram… Prastaram consists of Utharam, Vajanam, Valapi / ezhuthagam, vajanam, kapotham, aaliskam. Andhari, prati vajanam and viyalavari.  Bhuta ganas are in the valabi. Kodipalai and Nasikoodus are in the kapotha. In bhumi desam Makara thundas are on each pilaster top.

Greevam…. The greevam is of square in shape with vedhigai. Koshtas are on all four sides of the greevam. The Koshta images are in sitting posture. Thala vahanas / rishabams are on the corners of bhoomi desam.

Sigaram….  The large square shaped sigaram is with Maha nasis on the koshtas. No decorations found on the Kadam and Thorana patti. In konas little decorative oshtas alias thookkoodu and Chandra mandalas. Maha padmam is on the top surface.

Stupi  … stupi is also matches with the sigaram in shape.

Since the prastaram has 8 alpa nasis this vimana is Srikaram as per Mayamatham and Kasyapam. Also the temple is built with stone  from upanam to Stupi, the vimanam is called as Suddha vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was built during Vijayalaya Chozha period, may be by the Mutharaiyars. The earliest inscription belongs to 13^th Century. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Panangudi Parameswarar.

The Pandya King Kulasekara period inscription records the gift of  3 ma land to their fathers of Annaloorudayan &  Thiruvaiyarudayan as devathanam, was permitted to enjoy by them also to raise crops etc.

Another 13th Century inscription records that, this Panagudi Village Eri breaching was stopped and irangalittathu by Thiruvudaiyan Udaya Perumal. The auspicious symbols of, mukkali, poorna kumbha and Kuththu Vilakku / Oil lamp with stand. are on the bottom of the inscription in the form of petroglyphs. This type of inscriptions are called as Asiriyam. ie safeguarding others or who safeguards us either through having a separate army of their own, which is independent and not from Government Chozha / Pandya etc.\,. These type of inscriptions are commonly available in Pudukkottai, Sivagangai and Madurai Districts. ( Ref : Pudukkottai mavatta kalvettukkal new discovery / puthiya kandupidippugal by Karu Rajendran )

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the banks of Panangudi lake and about 500 meters from manapparai – Pudukkottai Road.

This temple is 14 KM from Pudukkottai, 24 KM from Keeranur, 29 KM from Viralimalai, 50 KM from Tiruchirappalli and  375 KM from Chennai,.

Nearest railway station is Pudukkottai and Junction is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE.  CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVA NAMA ---