Sri Agastheeswarar Temple ( Agni Lingam ) /ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில் / அக்னி லிங்கம், நூம்பல் / Noombal, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri  Agastheeswarar Temple at Noombal was a part of Shiva Temples and Jain’s sculptures visit planned on 30^th January 2022, after lifting the COVID-19, Sunday Lockdown (CORONA LOCKDOWN).  Even though this temple was not included in the list, during browsing of nearby temples in Google Maps for Mel Ayanambakkam Shiva Temple, accidentally happened to see this temple with Gajabrushta Vimanam, so decided to Visit this temple.

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 Anandavalli.

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

The temple is facing east. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the Mukha mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are on the east side in front of the Mukha mandapam. Sanctum sanctorum is about a foot high from the Mukha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum.  Moolavar is on a square avudayar. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the Koshtam.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, A Shiva Linga with square Avudayar, Bairavar and Navagrahas. In Navagrahas, all the Navagrahas are with their consorts and Suriyan is on the Chariot pulled by the horses. Ambal Sri Anandavalli is in a separate, shrine in the Mukha mandapam facing South.  A Kosala is on the north side of the temple.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a square upana. The Sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabrushta Style Vimanam and adhishtanam is a padabandha adhisthana with jagathy, three patta kumuda, and a Pattika. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. The koshtas are separated by the Brahma kantha pilasters consisting of Malaithongal, Thamarai kattu, Kalasam, thadi, Kudam, Mandai with lotus petals, palagai, Veerakandam and Vettu Pothyal. The Koshtas are of Sala style. The prastram consists of valapi, kapotam and Viyyalavari. Lotus petals are in the valapi.

An ekathala - single-tier - stucco Gajabrushta Vimanam with 5 Kalasas is over the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Shiva with Parvati is in the Lalada nasi, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the Greeva koshtam. Thala Vahanas are one the Bhoomi desam.

   

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to the 9th-century Pallava period and was later reconstructed during the Chozhas Period.  The Mukha mandapam was built in recent years.  

LEGENDS

Agasthiya muni is the first among 18 Siddhars and one of the Saptha Rishis, is also called Pothigai Rishi, Kumbha Muni, etc,. In another way, Agasthiyar / Agathiyar means that those who had seen Lord Shiva in their inner / Akam are called Agathiyar. It is also believed that Agasthiyar was created from Gnana Sakthi on an Ayilyam Nakshatra day by Lord Shiva. Hence Special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Ayilyam Nakshatra days.

It is also believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshiped by Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu. Hence Lord Shiva is called Agastheeswarar.

During the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, sages, maharishis, and Munis assembled at Mount Kailash. So the earth on the north went down and the south rose up. Seeing this Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go south to balance the earth. On the way to Podhigai Hill Agasthiyar installed and worshiped Shiva Lingas in various places. After installing a Shiva Linga at Thiruverkadu, the sage Agathiyar prayed to Lord Shiva for the darshan of Lord Shiva with Parvati’s Kalyana / marriage kolam. Immediately Lord Shiva gave darshan to Agasthiyar in Kalyana Kolam. When Parvati asked what will Lord Shiva do if an ordinary devotee wished to see him...?.  Lord Shiva immediately manifested himself in the form of Shiva Lingas in the eight directions around Thiruverkadu, Sri  Vedapureeswarar temple. This Agastheeswarar temple at Noombal is in the Agni direction, hence the Shiva Linga is called Agni Lingam. 

All the eight Shiva Lingas are.... 

SL No	SAPTA LINGAM	LOCATION
1	Indra Lingam	at Vallikollaimedu
2	AgniLingam	at Noombal
3	Yama Lingam	at Senneerkuppam
4	Niruthi Lingam	at Parivakkam
5	Varuna Lingam	at Mettupalayam
6	Vayu Lingam	at Paruthipattu
7	Kubera Lingam	at Sundara Chozhapuram
8. A	Esanya Lingam	at Chinnakoladi ( in the midst of fields )
8. B	Esanya Lingam	on Erikarai Chinnakoladi

Some Devotees believe that the Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple, on the banks of Erikarai, Shiva Lingam is the Esanya Lingam and not the one in the midst of the kazhani /field. Hence the details of both the temples are in separate posts. 

It is believed that Suriyan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Sun rays fall on Moolavar on the next day of Maha Shivaratri, as proof of the above legend.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Sankatahara Chaturthi, Kiruthigai / Pournami ( full moon day ), New moon day / Amavasya, Theipirai ashtami, Sashti / Ko pooja, Pradosham, Rudra parayanam, Rudra homam, Rudrabhishekam, Thiruvasagam mutrum othuthal, etc,.

Parihara poojas are conducted for Chevvai Dosha, Marriage obstacles, and Child boon, to get relief from debt, business development, Rahu, Ketu, and Nagadosham.

Ugra Ratha Santhi ( 60^th year ), Sashtiapthapoorthi ( 61 years), Bheema Ratha Santhi ( 70^th year ), Vijaya Ratha Santhi ( 76^th year ), Sathabhishekam ( 81^st year or 83^rd Year ) and Kanakabhishekam ( 100^th year ) are also conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Gurukkal may be contacted on the mobile number +91 98401 23464 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

Noombal Shiva temple is about a KM off from Chennai Bangalore Highway, 7 KM from Chennai Metro Koyambedu, 8.3 KM from CMBT, Koyambedu, 7.3 KM from Poonamallee and 13 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest railway station is Koyambedu Metro Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Navagrahas

Bairavar

Kosala

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---