Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / Kamakshi Samedha Agastheeswarar Temple / Ancient Lord Shiva Temple / காமாக்ஷி உடனுறை அகத்தீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Orathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

This Agastheeswarar Temple at Orathur is on the way to Padappai from Siruvanjur, in the Chengalpattu District. This place was called Oorathur during the Pallava and Chozha periods and later got corrupted to the present name of Orathur.

It is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshipped by the  Sage Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu. This is also one of the “Thevara Vaippu Sthalam”, sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. 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 Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch. The temple tank is on the right side of the Temple. Balipeedam and Rishabam/Idabam (Not facing Moolava) are after the entrance arch. Moolavar in the sanctum is a little tall. In koshtam, Narthana Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam Manakula Vinayagar, Sri Murugan with Valli Devasena, Bhairavar (This murti may not be the original one and may be installed at a later date. A damaged Bhairavar was found in an Amman temple, on the opposite side of the temple tank. This may belong to this temple), Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Old Rishabam / Idabam, Nagars, and Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi. Bas reliefs of Dhiyana Lingam, Agasthiyar, and Pambatti Siddhar are on the mukha mandapam pillars. 

Ambal is in a separate temple, facing east like Moolavar on the right side of the main sannidhi. There is a Tunnel in the temple. It is believed that the tunnel leads to Vallakottai Murugan Temple.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The Gajaprushta sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. Brahma kantha pillasters are on the bhitti. The pilasters are with malaikattu, kalasam, thadi, kalasam, kumbha, palakai, veerakandam, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus, and viyalavari. The vimana from adhistanam to ¼ of the bhitti was built with stone, and above that portion was built with bricks. An eka tala Gajabirushta vimanam is on the bhumidesam. 

The Compound wall (Northwest had fallen down during this cyclone) was built with brick and mud/clay used in between the bricks. The top portion was built with brick and lime mortar.

    

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to the Pallava period, and the same was reconstructed during the Chozha period and further extended during the Vijayanagara Period. Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. As per the inscription, this place was called Jayangonda Chozha Mandalathu, Senkattu Kottathu Oorathur, and Lord Shiva was called Tiruvagatheeswaramudaya Thambiran.

The Vijayanagara King Achchutha Devaraya’s (1529 CE  - ARE 256 of 1910) period inscription records the gift of a Village to this temple.

The 19th-century Telugu Inscription (ARE 257 of 1910) records the reconstruction of this temple and Koshta images by Avanigaddala Pattabhiramudu.

Ref:

Annual report on South Indian Epigraphy, Year 1910.

Traces of Chozha inscriptions

Telugu inscriptions

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 the 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 worshipped. It is believed that this temple is also one of them.

Rishabam / Idabam is not facing Lord Shiva but facing the entrance. It is believed that Rishabam is facing the entrance to monitor and prevent the asuras from disturbing Agasthiyar’s penance/prayer.

It is believed that Agasthiyar and Pambatti Siddhar worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Since the Ambal temple is on the right side of the Moolavar shrine, it is believed that the temple is for removing obstacles in marriage. Hence, Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Parvati for the marriage boon.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurthi, Pradosham days, and Maha Shivaratri

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Sri Subramanya Sivachariyar may be contacted on his mobile number +91 95978 94705 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This temple at Orathur is 4 km from Padappai, 7 km from Guduvancheri, 17.3 km from Tambaram, 20 km from Chengalpattu, and 44 km from Kanchipuram and  Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Guduvancheri, and the Junctions are Tambaram and Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

This Bhairavar is in the Gangai Amman Temple on the opposite side of the temple tank and may belong to this temple.

The Pallava period original Rishabam / Idabam

Agasthiyar

The collapsed wall during the recent rain

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---