Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / Lord Siva Temple, Kilkolathur, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Kilkolathur, in Thiruvannamalai District, was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temples, Sculptures like Kotravai, Jyeshta Devi at Purisai, Kilkolathur, Salukkai and Anumanthandalam on 2^nd January 2022. This temple is a little away from the village, in the midst of the Sugarcane and Paddy fields. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Babu Mano, Mr. Manoj  L Chakravarthy, Mrs. Ruth, சுகுமார் அருள் and the members of “தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்” for taking me to all these Temples and Heritage sites.

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

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

The temple faces east with a balipeedam and a Rishabam. There is no entrance arch or Rajagopuram, and a compound wall. The entrance to the sanctum is from the south side with a mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati are on the top of the Mukha mandapam. Moolavar is a little large. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Old Rishabam and balipeedam are kept outside the temple. Bhairavar, an Amman (A Bhutaki and Ayyanar are installed as koshta murtis), Navagrahas, Nagars, a loose sculpture of Dakshinamurthy (Chozha Period), and Chandikeswarar are outside the temple. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in the ardha mandapam. Amman is in a standing posture with abhaya and varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The original temple belongs to the Chozha period, and the same was reconstructed in recent years without following any temple structure norms.

The sanctum sanctorum is on a three-anga adhistana. A two-tier stucco vesara vimana is in the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Ardhanareeswarar, Nandi Bhagwan, Lingothbavar, Vinayagar, and Murugan are in the Greeva koshtam. Agasthiyar stucco image with Raishabams on both sides on the Ardha mandapam parapet wall to remind the name of Lord Shiva as Agastheeswarar.

The ardha mandapam is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam. A hole is provided on the east wall for Rishabam to view Moolavar. The mukha mandapam and ardha mandapam are built using the old stones removed from the original temple. The walls are supported by Brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal without any ornamental work. The south side mukha mandapa pillars are original.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to Rajaraja Chozha-II (Rajendra Chozha’s son), and the same was reconstructed in recent years. During reconstruction, the inscription stones are used in different places, hence there is no continuity. The Chozha period and Vijayanagara period inscriptions record the gift of Lands, etc, for poojas, naivedyam, and burning lamps.   

Ashtabandhana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 18^th February  2019 after renovations.

LEGENDS

In another legend, it is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshipped in Thondai mandalam by Agasthiyar on the way to Pothigai Hills to balance the earth during Shiva and Parvati’s celestial wedding.

The devotees worship Lord Shiva for removing Marriage obstacles, Child boon, etc.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

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

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala Pooja is conducted, the temple will be kept open during morning hours, and the time is predictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

 

HOW TO REACH

The village Kilkolathur and the temple are about 2 km off Cheyyar-Vandavas – Polur Road, 9.8 km from Cheyyar, 18.5 km from Vandavasi, 40 km from Kanchipuram, 58 km from Chengalpattu and 114 km from Chennai Central Station.

The nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Agasthiyar in place of Bhutagana

Moolavar sanctum sanctorum

Chozha period Dakshinamurthy

Ayyanar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---