The visit to this Shri Agastheeswarar Temple at
Siruvangunam, in Chengalpattu District, was a part of the 604th week abhishekam to Sri Vanmeeganathar and
Sri Kanthaswamy Temples of Cheyyur by the Ancient Shiva Temples and Sivamayam
Group on 31st May 2026. When the Sivamayam
group was preparing for the abhishekm, I
alone visited this Shri Aastheeswarar Shiva temple.
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar Temple
Consort : Sri Akilandeswari
Some salient features of the temple are…
The temple faces east with an entrance arch. Stucco
images of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the
arch. Balipeedam and Rishabam are under the open mandapam. Moolavar is under a Rudraksha pandal with Nagabaranam, is a little
big on a square avudaiyar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu,
Brahma and Durgai.
In the praharam Nalvar, Chandran, Suryan, Vinayagar,
Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Aiyyappan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Bairavar,
Saniswarar, Nagars with Rahu & Ketu, Somaskandar, Mummoorthys, Adhi Amman,
and Jyeshta Devi.
Ambal is in a separate temple that faces south. Ambal
is in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam. In koshtam Gaumari,
Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Brahmi and Durgai.
Nagars with Rahu and Ketu
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar
The
temple tank is on the north side of the temple. On the west banks of the temple
tank, Saptakannis, Chandikeswarar and Durgai.
Chandikeswarar
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and open mandapam. The total
temple was reconstructed with bricks and cement concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and pada
bandha adhistanam. The adhistanam consists of Jagathy and vudha kumudam. The
pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram
consists of valapi and kapotam. The vimanam over the prastaram consists of
two talas, greevam and vesara sigaram. (Hope the construction does not follow the
temple architecture). Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and
Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.
The Somaskandar panel, also
called the Parasivamurthy panel, consists of Shiva and Parvati in a sitting
posture and Murugan as Kandar is sitting in the middle. Shiva holds acca mala
and damaru in the upper hands, and the lower right hand is in Abhaya hastam, and the left
hand is on the thigh. The jada makudan with a crescent moon adorns Shiva’s head.
Padra kundalas are shown on Shiva's elongated Shiva’s earlobes. The dwarf Bhuta
Gana under Shiva’s right leg looks at a parrot sitting near Parvati’s leg.
Rishabam is shown on the back side of Shiva. An Angel is shown in flying posture
holding an offering. An attendant is shown fanning Ma Parvati, and another attendant
carries the offering
The Mummoorthy panel is
also special in this temple. Brahma, Shiva and Maha Vishnu are shown in a standing posture. Here, Shiva is shown in human form holding Trishul and Damaru
instead of Shiva Linga. All three are shown in standing posture. Brahma is
standing on the lotus peedam, Shiva stands on the abasmaram and Maha Vishnu on the padra
peedam.
In the Jyeshta Devi panel, Rishaba
Devar or Manthan is shown sitting on a raised level. Agni Matha is shown
wearing ornaments over the neck and elongated earlobes. Whereas Manthi is in a
standing posture held by Agni Matha with her left hand. The crow is sitting on a little big stand.
The broomstick is not shown.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is said that the temple belongs to 09th – 10th centuries Later
Pallava period, and was reconstructed during recent years. There are no inscriptions
found to prove its antiquity. Instead, A beautiful and unique Somaskandar
panel, Mummoorthys and Jyeshta Devi sculptures are installed in the mandapam, which proves the original belongs to the later Pallava period. The Somaskandar panel, once
adorned on the back side wall of the sanctum sanctorum, is now installed in the
mandapam.
The
temple was reconstructed, and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 07th
September 2025.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, during the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati, all the Gods, Devas, Maharishis, and sages gathered at Mount Kailash. Due to this, the north side of the earth lowered, and the south side went up. To balance the earth, Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to the south. From Mount Kailash to Podhigai Hills, Agasthiyar installed many Shiva Lingas and worshipped. It is believed that this is one of the Shiva Lingas installed and worshipped by the Sage Agasthiyar, where Shiva gave the kalyana kola darshan to the Sage Agasthiyar.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from oru kala regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri
days, etc.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
Since
oru kala pooja is conducted, the closing and opening times are unpredictable.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
The
place Siruvangunam is about 1.8 km from Cheyyur to Pavanjur Road, 9 km from
Cheyyur, 12.4 km from Koovathur on ECR, 24 km from Kalpakkam, 36 km from Mahabalipuram,
and 43 km from Chengalpattu Junction.
The
nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Chandikeswarar
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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