Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அகத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Acharavakkam / அச்சரவாக்கம், Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temple and heritage sites along East Coast Road, visit on 25^th December 2021. Thanks to Kesavan for accompanying me to all these places.

This is one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. He 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 Anandavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple is in the midst of a paddy field facing east with a temple tank in front. Balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are in front of the Temple. No koshtas are provided. Ambal Sri Anandavalli is in a separate sannidhi in ardha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The original temple was reconstructed without following any Temple architectural style. No Koshtas are provided.  The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and an open metacolour mukha mandapam. A small vesara Vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum which is not proportionate to the sanctum sanctorum. A Pillar half buried is installed in the mukha mandapam. A deity/human’s head is partially visible on the pillar.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the Pallava period and nothing is left to prove its antiquity except a 9^th Century Pallava King Nirupathungavarman  Period inscription. The inscription stone slab is lying on the back side of the Temple.

Most of the details were lost. As per the ARE ( ARE 108 of 1933 - 34 ) records and SII Vol 12 - 83 the inscription registers a gift of 800 kuli land as Archana bogam to this Agastiswara Temple by a certain Sankan after the sale.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on pradosam and maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Gurukkal is coming from far off place, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH

This place Acharavakkam is near Sembakkam in Chengalpattu District.

The temple is about 10.5 KM from Thiruporur, 15 KM from Tirukazhukundram,  21 KM from Chengalpattu, and 52 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---