Monday, 29 April 2024

Sri Agastheeswarar Malai Koil / Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் மலைக் கோயில், Ananthamangalam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Malai Koil at Ananthamangalam was a part of the “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 Mini "Isha", due to the "Adi Yogi Statue" a stucco image.   


Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort    : Sri Anandavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple faces east on a small Hill. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati, Krishna, and Adi Yogi are below the Rajagopuram Level. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the 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 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 an adhistanam which does not conform 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 later contributions were 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 the 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 to Patala Vinayagar Shrine in recent years.  


Patala Vinayagar ( PC - Website )


LEGENDS
During the Celestial wedding of Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, Maharaishis, and Munis assembled at Mount Kailash. Due to this, the north side of this earth went down and the south side went up. To balance the earth Shiva asked the sage Agasthiyar to go 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 in many places. It is believed that sage Agasthiyar worshipped Shiva at this temple. Hence Shiva is called Agastheeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, 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 open between 06.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs. and 16.00 hrs. to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile numbers +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 the Gandhi statue stop at Tindivanam.
This place is about 17 KM from Tindivanam, 26 KM from Melmaruvathur, 92 KM from Tambaram, and 134 KM from Chennai Central station.
Nearest Railway station is Tindivanam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE



Adi Yogi





--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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