The
Visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Malai Koil at Ananthamangalam was a part of “Shiva,
Jain Temples and Heritage Sites Visit” at Saram and Ananthamangalam near
Tindivanam, on 04th February 2024. This Agastheeswarar Temple is on
the top of a small Hill. This temple is also called as Mini "Isha", due to "Adi Yogi Statue" a stucco image.
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort : Sri Anandavalli
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple is facing east on a small Hill. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati,
Krishna, Adi Yogi are below the Rajagopuram Level. The Rajagopuram is of 5
tiers. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Vinayagar and
Murugan are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Utsavars are in the
antarala. Moolavar is on a round Avudayar. In kostam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,
Brahma and Durgai.
In
praharam Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar and Patala Vinayagar ( Rs 10 is charged for
the entry to the cave ). The Vinayagar is below the ground level in a Cave.
Ambal
Anandavalli is in a separate sannidhi facing east. Ambal is in standing posture
with abhaya varada hastam.
PC - Website
PC - Website
ARCHITECTURE
The
complete temple was built with Bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists
of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a
adhistanam which do not confirm to any temple architecture.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION
As
per the history written on the sanctum sanctorum wall, the original temple was
constructed during Kulothunga Chozha-I ( 1097 CE ) and latter contributions extended
by Rajaraja-III ( 1221 CE ). But no evidence is found in the temple.
The
present structure was constructed by Mr Ravichandran of Subrapatham Builders
and first Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 23rd June 2008,
Second Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 23rd August 2013 and
third Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after the construction of Rajagopuram on 17th
June 2022.
The
temple is being maintained by Agavan Arakattalai.
Initially
Jain monks lived in the natural caves with Jain beds carved. The Cave with Jain
bed was completely converted as Patala Vinayagar Shrine during recent years.
Patala Vinayagar ( PC - Website )
LEGENDS
During
Celestial wedding of Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, Maharaishis, Munis
assembled at Mount Kailash. Due to this the north side of this earth went down
and south side went up. To balance the earth Shiva asked the sage Agasthiyar to
go to south. After getting the boon of Celestial wedding darshan whenever he
wants, Agasthiyar started his journey to Pothigai Hills. On the way he
installed and worshipped Shiva Lingas on many places. It is believed that sage
Agasthiyar worshipped Shiva of this temple. Hence Shiva is called as
Agastheeswarar.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pardosham, Maha Shivaratri,
Karthigai Deepam etc,. Pournami Girivalam is done every month. On Maha
Shivaratri day, 4 Kala pooja is conducted and Thalam poo is offered on that day
to Shiva.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs. and 16.00 hrs. to
20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
mobile number +919150475559 and +91 98433 58186 may be contacted for further
details.
HOW TO REACH
This
temple is on a small hill, about a KM away from the Village. Town bus no 24 is
available from Gandhi statue stop at Tindivanam.
This
place is about 17 KM from Tindivanam, 26 KM from Melmaruvathur, 92 KM from Tambaram,
134 KM from Chennai Central station.
Nearest
Railway station is Tindivanam.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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