Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / Arulmigu Sri Angammal Samedha Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோவில் / Sithalapakkam, Perumbakkam, Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Sithalappakkam, Perumbakkam, was a Part of the “Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples Visit” in the Perumbakkam area on 07^th April 2024. The Overhead water tank is in the temple Complex.  

Moolavar   : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort     : Sri Angammal

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch on the west and north side. The temple tank is on the south side of the temple, where the Chozha period inscriptions are recorded. Stucco images of Natarajar with Sivakami, Vinayagar, Ravana playing pancha mukha vadyam, Shiva and Parvati's marriage / Thirukalyanam, and Shiva’s family are on the parapet wall of the mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishhabam (Old) are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco Dwarapalakas Sri Nandhi and Mahakalar are on both sides of the entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Vishnu Durga.

In the praharam Vadapi Ganapathi on a flat stone, Sri Valli Deva Sena Subramaniay, Varahi, Kala Bairavar, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, bhaktha Anjaneyar, Dhathathreya, Agasthiyar and Loba Mudra.

Vadapi Ganapathi

ARCHITECTURE

The original temple was reconstructed with bricks and concrete in recent years. This simple temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum vimanam is of eka tala with adhistanam, bhitti, prastaram, greevam, and a vesara sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati, Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Natarajar with Sivakami, Shiva and Parvati's Thirukalyanam/Celestial wedding, and Siddhars are on the parapet wall of the mukha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the Chozha Period. The 3 inscriptions on the stone slabs on the banks of the temple tank are recorded and published vide  A. R. E. 1961-62 Nos 207-211.

தாம்பரம் வட்டம் பள்ளிக்கரணை உள்வட்டத்தில் பெரும்பாக்கம் என்ற ஊர் உள்ளது. இவ்வூரில் உள்ள அகத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில் புராதனமானது.  கோயில் குளக்கரையில் இரு சாசனங்கள் உள்ளன. 

Rajaraja-I’s period inscription records the endowment of feeding Brahmanars and the celebration of the 7-day festival by Keelachery Udaiyan. For the same, land was gifted.

முதலாம் இராசராசனது ஆட்சிக் காலத்தில் ( பொயு.995 இல் ) கீழ்ச்சேரி உடையான் ஏழு நாள் உற்சவம் நடத்தவும் பிராமணர்களுக்கு உணவிடவும் நிலம் தந்தது முதல் சாசனத்தில் உள்ளது. 

The second inscription, Rajaraja-I, records the gift of lands in Madurapakkam and Perumbakkam for the service at the temple.

இரண்டாவது சாசனம் பெரும்பாக்கம், மதுரப்பாக்கம் போன்ற ஊர்களில் வழிபாட்டுக்கு நிலங்கள் விட்டமையைக் குறிப்பிடுகின்றது. 

Vijayakanda Gopalan’s period inscription records the endowment of burning 3 lamps by Perumbakkam Vallakappan Somanathan Thzhuvakuzhainthan. For the same, 3 Lamps were gifted to the temple, and the same was received by Sathasiva Bhattan.

விஜயகண்டகோபாலனின் ஆட்சியின்போது பெரும்பாக்கத்து வல்லக்காப்பான் சோமநாதன் தழுவக்குழைந்தான் மூன்று முறை விளக்குகளைக் கோயில் பட்டன் சதாசிவனிடம் வழங்கியமையை மூன்று கல்வெட்டுகள் குறிப்பிடுகின்றன. (A. R. E. 1961-62 No's 207-211).

Ref:

Tholliyal Nokkil Kanchipuram Mavattam by S Krishnamurthy.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 29^th June 2023.

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 the 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 the 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.

Agasthiyar and LobaMudra.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Panguni Uthiram, Sankadahara Chaturthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs, and from17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number of the Gurukkal is +91 +919884942159 and may be contacted for further details

HOW TO REACH

The temple originally belonged to Perumbakkam and now belongs to Sithalapakkam. From Medavakkam Junction, on the Medavakkam to Mambakkam road, take a diversion on Ottiyambakkam Road, and the temple is about a km from the diversion.

The temple is 5 km from Medavakkam Junction, 13 km from Velachery Railway Station, 14 km from Tambaram Railway Station

Velachery and Tambaram railway stations are nearly the same distance.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Shiva and Parvati's Thirukalyanam / Celestial wedding 

Bairavar and Varahi

West Side arch

North side arch

The Temple tank where the inscription stone was recorded

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில், Sithalapakkam, Perumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, at Sithalappakkam, Perumbakkam, was a Part of the “Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples Visit” in the Perumbakkam area on 07^th April 2024. It was said that this temple was more than 1000 years old, and Deepa Sthambam with Maha Vishnu and Thayar idols were unearthed on the same spot where the temple exists. Hence, this temple was added along with the Shiva Temples visit.

Moolavar   : Sri Varadaraja Perumal

Thayar      : Sri Devi & Bhudevi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with Anjaneyar, Balipeedam, and Deepa Sthambam with Garudan, Shankha, and Chakra bas reliefs. Stucco Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sri Varadarajar is with Sri Devi and Bhudevi. Utsavars, Chakrathalwar, and Lakshmi Narasimghar are in front of Moolavar. Krishna and Radha are in the ardha mandapam / antarala. Koshtas are empty.

In the praharam Gajalakshmi, Vishnu Durga, Dhanvandhiri, Yoga Hayagreevar, Radha Krishna Ekaswaroopam, Anal, Maha Vishnu with Thayara, (Damaged and unearthed during excavation), Viswak Senar, Vedantha Desikar, Sudarsanar with Narasimhar, Andal,   

Hanuman

ARCHITECTURE

The original temple was reconstructed with bricks and concrete in recent years. The temple has a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum vimanam is of eka tala with upanam, adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, bhitti with Brahma kantha pilasters, prastaram with valapi and kapotam, greevam, and a nagara sigaram. Maha Vishnu’s Various forms are on the greeva koshtam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple was 1000 years old. The Unearthed Maha Vishnu and Thayar were kept in the Temple premises in 2009.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Margazhi Saturdays, Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs. to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Mobile numbers +919382676544, +919444185514, and +919444271165 may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH

The temple originally belonged to Perumbakkam and now belongs to Sithalapakkam. From Medavakkam Junction, on the Medavakkam to Mambakkam road, take a diversion on Ottiyambakkam Road, and the temple is about a km from the diversion.

The temple is 5 km from Medavakkam Junction, 13 km from Velachery Railway Station, 14 km from Tambaram Railway Station

Velachery and Tambaram railway stations are nearly the same distance.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Anjaneyar sannidhi

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Arulmigu Swarna Lingeshwarar Temple / சொர்ணலிங்கேஸ்வரர் கோயில்/ மலைக்கோயில் / சொர்ணநவலிங்க பைரவர் ஆலயம், Nallambakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Swarna Lingeswarar Temple, a hill temple, and Swarna Navalinga Bairavar Temple at Nallambakkam was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples, Pallava & Chozha inscription stones, and Heritage sites Visit near Keerapakkam in Chengalpattu District on 18^th February 2024. The Shiva Lingam is installed at the top of the hill. 

Hill Shrine 

Moolavar: Sri Swarna Lingeswarar   

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with Moolavar Shiva Lingam on the top of the hill. Madurai Veeran / Muniappan with dog, Murugan, and Vinayagar are at the entrance of the footpath. There is Yoga Anjaneyar in front of a Lotus pond. Vinayagar and Nagar with an ant hill are on the route. Again, Vinayagar, Murugan, and Vadivananthar Siddhar with 5 face Shiva Linga are on the way to the top. Shiva Lingam with Rishabam and balipeedam are on the top of the hill.

Sri Swarna Nava Linga Bairavar temple is at the base of the hill. Dhanvandhiri, Dakshinamurthy,  Shiva Lingam, Murugan, Varahi, Amman, Venkatesa Perumal, Maha Lakshmi, and Navagrahas. In Swarna Navalinga, Bairavars sannidhi consists of Neelakanda Bairavar, Marthanda Bairavar, Bhoomigarba Bairavar, Bhoota Vadhala Bairavar, Thiripurantaka Bairavar, Abarajitha Bairavar, Natharoopa Abhayangara Bairavar, and Akasa Mrganatha Bairavar.

Hill Shiva Lingam 

Muneeswaran

 Biravar

 Dakshinamurthy

 Siddhar Peedam 

Siddhar Peedam 

ARCHITECTURE

The top temple has only a Shiva Lingam and Rishabam. A meta-colour sheet shed was under construction during my Visit.

In the base temple, there were a lot of construction activities in progress.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days, Karthigai Deepam, etc.

Hanuman in Meditation 

Lotus pond

Vinayagar

 Murugan

Hill path

Hill Shrine 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The top temple will be open to the sky always, and the base temple is without a compound wall. Hence, one can have the darshan at any time.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the top of a small hill.

The city bus from Tambaram to Kandigai 55 D will stop at Nallambakkam Bus stop, and from there, the temple is about a km.

The temple is 2 km from the Rathinamangalam bus stop on the Vandalur – Kelambakkam Road, 11 km from Vandalur, 14 km from Kelambakkam, and 15 km from Tambaram.

The nearest Railway station is Vandalur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

BASE TEMPLE PHOTOGRAPHS

Swarna Navalinga Bairavars 

Vinayagar with Ashta bhujam 

Shiva Lingam at the base of the temple 

Balaji

Veerabhadra

Kali

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---