Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Puliyur, (anandthavalli agathieswarar temple Puliyur, ஆனந்தவல்லி அகத்தீஸ்வரர் டெம்பிள் புலியூர் ), Tiruvallur /Thiruvallur District , Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Puliyur Sri Agastheeswarar Temple was a part of the “Jainism Loose Sculpture, Shiva and an Amman Temples Visit” at Puliyur, Pakkam, and Kilambakkam of Tiruvallur / Thiruvallur District, on 13^th February 2022. Thanks to Mr Sugumaran Dhananjayan, a Member of the Ahimsa walk, who also accompanied me to 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 faces east with a mottai gopuram on the South side. Balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are on the east side entrance. The entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is from the South through a mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Lord Shiva and Parvati’s Kalyana Kolam are on the top of the Mukha mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in ardha mandapam facing south. In Praharam Sri Maha Ganapathi, 108 Shiva Lingas, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Suriyan,  Nagars, Shiva Lingas, Shiva Linga banam without avudayar and Veerabhadra.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha adhisthana The Vimanam is square in shape up to the First tier. The Gajabrushta style changes from greevam with 3 kalasas. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma with his consorts are on the Vimanam. Ekapada thirimurthy is in the Lalada Nasi. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Markandeya Purana, A pregnant lady being assisted for delivery, Murugan, and erotic images are also on the Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Considering the Gajabrushta Vimanam, the original temple may belong to the Pallava/Chozha period, constructed with bricks. Later the temple received contributions from Vijayanagaras. The Temple was reconstructed with bricks and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted during January 2022.

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. To Sage Agathiyar’s request, Lord Shiva promised to give his Kalyana Kola darshan wherever he wants. It is believed that Lord Shiva gave his Kalyana Kola darshan at this temple and the Stucco image of Lord Shiva’s Kalyana Kolam is on the top of Mukha mandapam. Since Sage Agathiyar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, Lord Shiva is called Agastheeswarar.

Even though this is not a Thevara Vaippu sthalam, the hymn on Agatheechuram sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal may be 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 )

Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Ambal for Marriage and Child boon. Marriages are also conducted in this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days.

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

Archakar/Gurukkal’s mobile number is +91 94435 21357, and HR & CE Inspector +91 9790775133 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place Puliyur is about 4.1 KM from Alathur, 6 KM from Kilambakkam, 7.4 KM from Thiruninravur, 14.5 KM from Thiruvallur, 20 KM from Poonamallee and 40 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest big Railway station is Thiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---