The
visit to this ancient Sri Velveeswarar Temple & Sri Agastheeswarar Temple ( Twin
Temples in the same complex ) at Valasaravakkam
was a part of the “Lesser known Vishnu, Shiva, Amman Temples of Chennai Visit”, on
23rd October 2022. Most of the temples were reconstructed during
recent years and some retain their original structure. All these temples have a long history of Pallava, Chozha, and Vijayanagaras.
It
is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed by Sage Agathiyar in Thondai Nadu. This temple
is believed to be one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal
has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of Agatheechuram along with
Nandhikechuram, Mahakalaechuram, 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 and Velveeswarar
Consort
: Sri Tripura Sundari
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east with a Temple tank, Sukra Theertham. The Rishabam/idabam
and balipeedam are under a meta color dome style mandapam. Sri Agastheeswarar Temple and Sri
Velveeswarar Temple are side by side.
Agastheeswarar
Temple… A small balipeedam and a Rishabam are
in front of sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Durgai.
Sri Velveeswarar
Temple… The sanctum sanctorum is about 3 feet above the ground level. Moolavar is a little big. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and
Durgai.
In
praharam Vinai Theertha Vinayagar, Natarajar, Utsavar, Anjaneyar, Kothanda
Ramar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bana Pureeswarar (
without Avudayar ), Ambal Sannidhi and Navagrahas.
Ambal
Tripura Sundari is in a separate temple facing south, in standing posture. Ambal
is in Abhaya varada hastam. Dwarapalakis are on both sides, and balipeedam and
Simha vahana are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. An eka tala salakara Vimanam is
on the sanctum sanctorum.
ARCHITECTURE
The Agastheeswarar
Temple is completely constructed with bricks
and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha
mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. An eka tala vesara vimanam is on the
sanctum sanctorum.
The Velveeswarar
Temple is a little larger than the
Agastheeswarar Temple. The Adhistanam is on an upa peedam with Lotus petals. The
Adhistanam consists of Jagathy, Muppattai kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti
starts with vedika. The upanam and adhistanam are constructed with stone.
Bhitti / walls, prastaram, and two tala Vimana are constructed with bricks and
cement mortar. Stucco images of maha Vishnu and Brahma in the tala and greeva
koshtas are with their consorts.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
Compared
to Sri Agastheeswarar temple, this temple is the oldest. As per the inscription
the temple existed before the 12th century.
The
Chozha King Vira Rajendran period inscription (1063 CE – 1070 CE) is on the
west side of adhistanam. As per the inscription this place was in Puliyur Kottam of Jayangonda Chozha Mandalam. The
inscription records the endowment of regular pooja and maintenance, by Jayangonda
chozha Brahmathirayan, a Siva Brahmana of Kozhumadi vakkam, who has donated some
wealth.
During the Chozha period, this place was called Vallisurapakkam, which has been corrupted
to the present name of Valasaravakkam.
Ashta
bandhana maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22nd January 1984, on
09th July 1992 ( Pancha Kota Vigrahas, Rishaba Mandapam,
Chandikeswarar Vimanam, and Koil Vimanam ), and on 05th September
2010.
LEGENDS
As
per the legend during the celestial wedding of Sri Shiva with Parvati, all the
Devas, and Maharishis assembled at Mount Kailash. Due to this, the North side of the
earth went down and the South side rose up. Sri Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go South to balance this earth, believed to be to Podhigai Kutralam Hills with an
assurance that Shiva and Parvati will give marriage / Kalyana kola darshan whenever Agasthiyar wants. On the way to Podhigai, Agasthiyar installed and
worshiped many Shiva Lingas in various
places. It is believed that this Agastheeswarar Shiva Linga was installed by
Agathiyar.
It
is further believed that Sukran also came to this place, created a theertham
called Sukra Theertham, took a bath, and worshiped Shiva of this temple, to get
rid of sin and get back the eyesight. Hence this is a Parihara Sthalam for the
adverse effect due to the planet Sukran.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,
monthly Shivaratri, Chatruti, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Skanda Sashti, Annual
festival, Navaratri, etc.
Abhishekam
will be done at 07.30 hrs.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to
21.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
mobile number 9444407257 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The
temple is on the south side of Arcot Road, in Valasaravakkam.
This
Shiva temple is 5 KM from Vadapalani Murugan temple, 7.4 KM from Koyambedu Bus
terminus, and 14 KM from Chennai Central.
Nearest
Railway station is Vadapalani Metro station.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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