Shri Agastheeswara Temple Kolapakkam / Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், கொளப்பாக்கம் / ஶ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வர கோயில் கொளப்பாக்கம். அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், கொளப்பாக்கம், Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

It is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshiped by the Sage Agathiyar in Thondai Nadu. Since there are many Kolapakkam around in Tamil Nadu, this temple is also believed in the “Thevara Vaippu Sthalam” sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. This Kolapakkam is behind the Vandalur Zoo.

 

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 ளேச்சுராநன் கான

கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்

        குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூ றுங்கால்

ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர

        மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்கர மந்தண் கானல்

ஈடுதிரை யிராமேச்சுர மென்றென் றேத்தி

        யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே

…. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Periyanayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Temple tank, Brahma Theertham. Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the Mukha mandapam. A small kodimaram, Balipeedam and nandhi are in the mukha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas along with Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of Ardha Mandapam entrance.  An Ambal’s stucco image is on the entrance. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. 

Ambal is in Ardha mandapam facing south. A hole is provided on the wall in front of Ambal for the darshan from outside. A Vallalar’s photo is kept in one of the niches of the Ambal shrine. In Praharam, Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Ayyappan, Bhairavar, and a Shiva Lingam. An abandoned statue is under a peepal tree near the temple.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Gajabirushta sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A two-thala Gajabirushta Vimana is above the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the first tier.

 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION

Since this temple Vimana is of Gajabirushtam style, the original temple may belong to the Pallava period. The temple later received contributions from Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. However, there are no traces of evidence found in this temple in the form of inscriptions to prove Pallavas, Chozhas, and Vijayagara's contributions.   

LEGENDS

As Per the legend, During the celestial wedding of  Lord Shiva with Parvati, all the Gods, Devas, Maharishis, and Sages gathered at Mount Kailash. Due to this, the north side of this earth lowered and the south side went up. To balance the earth, Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go south. From Mount Kailash towards Podhigai Hill, Agasthiyar established many Shiva Lingas and worshiped. It is believed that this temple is also one of them.

The Sun Rays fall on Moolavar after the 4^th Kala Pooja on Maha Shivaratri day.  This is considered one of the Suriyanar Temple and  Navagraha dosha Parihara Sthalam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.30 to 09.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs. But it is unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH

This Agastheeswarar temple at Kolapakkam is on the front side of Sri Nithya Srinivasa Perumal temple Temple and 350 meters off from Vandalur to Kelambakkam main road.

The temple is 2.2 KM from Vandalur ZOO south side Gate, 10 KM from Tambaram 28 KM from Chengalpattu, and 37 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest Suburban Railway station is Vandalur and the bigger Railway station is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

An idol under a peepal tree near the temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---