Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / Kalanthai Nagar Nataraja Temple /௮ருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ ௮கிலாண்டேஸ்வரி ௨டனுறை அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில், கிளாம்பாக்கம் / Kilambakkam, Tiruvallur /Thiruvallur District , Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Kilambakkam near Thiruvallur was a part of “Jainism Loose Sculpture, Shiva and an Amman Temples Visit” at Puliyur, Pakkam and Kilambakkam of Tiruvallur / Thiruvallur District, on 13^th February 2022. This place is also known as Kalanthai Nagar.

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 Akilandeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance on the South side. Kodimaram, balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are on the east side. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi, facing south. In Praharam Sri Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Sivakami with Natarajar, Somaskandar and Nagars.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Grameya style adhisthana. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape and the Vimanam is of Gajaprishta Style. An ekathala stucco Gajaprishta Vimanam with 3 kalasas is on the Sanctum Sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the Greeva Koshtam. A floral motif is in the Lalada Nasi.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Considering the Gajaprishta Vimanam and separate Somaskandar Sannidhi, the original temple may belong to the Pallava period, constructed with bricks. Later the temple received contributions from Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. The Temple was reconstructed with bricks and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted during recent Years.

Since the original temple was constructed with bricks, the endowment and gifts given to this temple are inscribed on separate stone slabs during the Chozha period. It was told that Rajaraja Chozha-I’s period inscriptions are recorded in separate  stone slabs. The inscriptions record the endowment of burning perpetual lamps, for which sheep / Goats are Gifted to this temple. The sad part of these inscription stone slabs is broken and used as roof slabs of the Main Sanctum Sanctorum and Vinayagar Sannidhi.

 

LEGENDS

It is believed that this is one of the temples, worshiped by Sage Agathiyar. During the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, and Maharishis assembled at Mount Kailash to witness the wedding. Due to this, the north side of the earth went down and the south side rose up. Lord Shiva requested Sage Agathiyar to go south to balance the earth. At Sage Agasthiyar’s request, Lord Shiva agreed to give his Kalyana Kola darshan wherever he wanted. It is believed that Lord Shiva gave his Kalyana Kola darshan at this temple also. Since Sage Agathiyar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, Lord Shiva is called Agastheeswarar.  

Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Ambal for Marriage and Child boon.

This is one of the Thevara Vaippu sthalam, the hymn on Agatheechuram sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal applicable in general to all Agastheeswarar Shiva Temples.

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 )

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, and Arudra Darshan days during January.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HR & CE Inspector +91 9790775133 or Asst Commissioner  +91 44 2766 1738 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place Kilambakkam in Thiruvallur/ Tiruvallur District  is about 6 KM from Puliyur Village, 7 KM from Pakkam, 11 KM from Thiruvallur, 11.5 Thiruninravur, 22.5 KM from Poonamallee, 36 KM from Koyambedu and 42 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest big Railway station is Thiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---