The
visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Villipakkam, near Chunampet, was a
part of the Epigraphy field study organized by R.E.A.C.H. foundation on 2nd
November 2025. This place is also called “Kiratha Marjaleswaram”. My sincere
thanks to Thiru Ramachandran Sir, for the practical demo of taking estempage of
inscriptions. Thanks to Mr Ramanathan
for the Hospitality, Mr. Chandrasekaran, and Major Narayanan.
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort : Sri Muthambigal
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east with an entrance mandapam. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati
as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the mandapam. Balipeedam,
Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are in front of the mukha mandapam. Vinayagar and
Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round
avudayar. In koshtam Nardhana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy (An antelope is on the
base along with Muyalagan), Eka pada Murti, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai
(with 6 hands, holding Shankha, Chakra, bow, arrow, sword. Lower left hand in
kadi hastam. An umbrella with torana is shown on the top and samaratharis at
the base.
In
the praharam, Nalvar, Nagars with Vinayagar, Ammans, Sri Arunachaleswarar, Sri
Kiratha Marjaleswarar, Suranathar, Suranathar, Annapoorani, Viswanathar,
Visalakhi, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, and Suryan.
Ambal
is in a separate sannidhi facing south in the mukha mandapam. Ambal is in a
standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
Suryan
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardhamandapam, and mukha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistam with
jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai on a lotus petals platform. The bhitti
starts with vedilai. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with square
bases, malai thongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi,
palakai, veera kandam, and pushpa pothyal. Kumbha latha are on the antarala
wall. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam. The temple was constructed
with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The one tala vesara vimanm is on the
bhumi desam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and
greeva koshtams.
Kumbha latha
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
Damaged
and fragmentary Chozha king Kulothunga Chozha and Pandya king Veera Pandya’s inscriptions
are found on the jagathy. And also based on the architecture, the temple
belongs to the 12th to 13th century CE.
As
per the inscriptions, this place was called Gangaikonga Chozha Nallur,
Villipakkam, etc.
Villipakkam
LEGENDS
During the celestial wedding of Shiva and
Parvati, all the Devas, Rishis, and Munis assembled at Mount Kailash to witness
the marriage. Due to this, the earth, the South side, and the North side
went down. Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to the South to balance it. After
getting a boon of Kalyana kola darshan, whenever he wanted from Shiva, and started
towards the South. On the way to Podhigai, Agasthiyar installed and worshipped
Shiva Lingas at many places. It is believed that the Moolavar of this temple
was installed and worshiped by Agasthyar, hence Moolavar is called Agastheeswarar.
This
place is also called “Kiratha Marjaleswaram”. Here, Kiratha means a Hunter, and Marjala means a Cat. The two devas, due to a curse, were born as a Hunter and a Cat.
They worshipped Shiva in this temple and got relieved from the curse. Hence, this place is called Kiratha Marjalaeswaram.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri
days, etc.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Rathna
Sabapathi Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number +919486933191 for
further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This place, Villipakkam, is mentioned as Villivakkam in Google Maps.
The
temple is 5.8 km from ECR, 17 km from Marakkanam, 27 km from Melmaruvathur, 35
km from Tindivanam, and 73 km from Mamallapuram.
The
nearest Railway Station is Melmaruvathur.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
Fantastic coverage of the he visit. Neatly written. Thank you.
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