Wednesday 17 November 2021

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அகதீஸ்வரர் கோயில், ஆலத்தூர் / Alathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Alathur on Old Mamallapuram / Mahabalipuram Road was a part of Pallava & Chozha period Shiva and Vishnu Temples and Heritage site Visits at Payyanur, Alathur and  Siruthavur  of Chengalpattu District on 17th October 2021.


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 is facing east with a big temple tank. There is no parivara sannidhis. There is no koshta images in the niches. The temple compound wall also bears a dilapidated look. Ambal Sri Akilandeswari’s shrine is on the right side of the temple facing South. 

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and Ardha mandapam. A 2 tier stucco vesara vimanam is on the sanction sanctorum. Stucco sculptures are beautiful and cute.

The original entrance structure had fallen down. The Complete compound wall is dilapidated condition.








HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the construction of the temple with granite, it is  believed that  the temple may belongs to 17th to 18th Century.

As per the temples of Kanchipuram census, the temple occupies 5 cents of land and the temple owns 4.65.5 hectares of land ( the present condition is not Known. ), The temple’s tank is in-front. The Villagers used to take bath and washing the clothes in this tank only.

LEGEND
It is believed that Agasthiyar on the way to Podhigai hill from Mount Kailash, installed Shiva Linga and worshiped at many places and this is one of them. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Agastheeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from one kala Pooja is being done by a hereditary Gurukal, Soorasamharam is celebrated in grand manner during the month of Masi, on the same day of Thiruporur Kandaswamy Temple’s Soorasamharam celebrations. It was told that during earlier days Utsavar Sri Muthukumara Swamy of Thiruporur Visits this place on Soorasamharam days. In memory of that the soorasamharam is celebrated every year.

HOW TO REACH
The temple at Alathur is about 300 meters off from the Chennai to Mamallapuram ( OMR ) road.
Alathur is about 5 KM from Thiruporur, 13 KM from Mamallapuram, 29.3 KM from Chengalpattu, 38 KM from Tambaram and 46 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE







Ambal Sannidhi
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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