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

The visit to this Agastheeswarar Temple at Panangudi was a part of the 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 and two Nandis, of which one is in damaged condition, are in front of the temple. Two inscription stone slabs and the base of the parivara deity’s shrine are on the outside of the temple. Jyeshta Devi, Vinayagar, and Nagar are in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is of Swayambhu on a round avudayar. There are no Koshta images.

ARCHITECTURE

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

The vimana is with 6 angas / parts and follows the Dravida Nagara style. It has adhistanam, bhitti, prastaram, greevam, sigaram, and stupi.

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

Vedhigai is not there…

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

Prastaram… Prastaram consists of Utharam, Vajanam, Valapi / ezhuthagam, vajanam, kapotam, 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 square in shape with vedikai. Koshtas are on all four sides of the greevam. The Koshta images are in a 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 were found on the Kadam and Thorana Patti. In Konas' little decorative Oshtas, alias thookkoodu, and Chandra mandalas. Maha Padma is on the top surface.

Stupi… Stupi also matches 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 Suddha Vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was built during the Vijayalaya Chozha period, maybe by the Mutharaiyars. The earliest inscription belongs to 1the 3rd century. As per the inscriptions, Lord Shiva was called Panangudi Parameswarar.

The Pandya King Kulasekara period inscription records the gift of  3 ma land to their fathers of Annaloorudayan &  Thiruvaiyarudayan, as devathanam, which was permitted to be enjoyed 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 inscription is called Asiriyam, ie, safeguarding others or who safeguards us, either through having a separate army of their own, which is independent and not from the Government Chozha / Pandya, etc. These types 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.

The nearest Railway Station is Pudukkottai, and the Junction is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE.  CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVA NAMA ---