This is one of the Navagraha sthalam in and around Chennai and a Suriyan Parihara Sthalam. This temple is about 1.5 KM from Sri Ramanadheeswarar Temple, a Guru Sthalam at Porur and Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple at Gerugampakkam. This place was called as Kulapakkam durig Chozha period and now called as Kolapakkam.
It is believed that, this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed by Sage Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu and a Thevara Vaippu sthalam. Thirunavukkarau Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of Agatheechuram along with Nandhikechuram, Mahalaechuram, Nagechuram, Kodeechuram, Kondeechuram, Kukkudechuram, Akkeechuram, Adakechuram, Ayaneechuram Aththeechuram, Siddheechuram and Ramechuram.
நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்
சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுராநன் கான
கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்
குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூ றுங்கால்
ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர
மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்கர மந்தண் கானல்
ஈடுதிரை யிராமேச்சுர மென்றென் றேத்தி
யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே
…. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar / Sri VageeswararConsort : Sri Anandavalli
Some of the salient features of this temple….The temple is facing with an entrance arch on south side. The temple tank is on the left side. A Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the top of the entrance arch. Balipeedam and nandi are in the praharam. Moolavar in the sanctum is on a square avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai ( are in grilled cage ). Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in the mukha mandapam facing south.
In Praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar ( Believed that Murugan, and his vahana Peacock are made of green stone ), Kasi Viswanathar with his consort Visalakshi, Bhairavar, Navagrahas ( all the other grahas are facing Suriyan ), Vaheeswarar, Nagars, Rhnuhareswarar, Chandikeswarar and Suriyan ( in a separate sannidhi. A Stucco image of Suriyan riding on a Chariot pulled by 7 horses are on the top of the sannidhi ).
ARCHITECTUREThe temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardhamandapam, mahamandapam and a Mukha mandapam /sobana mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is with 6 angas Adhistanam, Padam / Bhitti, prastaram, greevam, sigaram and stupi. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape on a simple Padabandha adhistana with threepatta kumuda. From adhistanam to prastaram, constructed with stone and completely painted. A Two tier stucco vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the Vimana and greeva koshtam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThe fragment inscription stones are placed many places during renovations. The original temple belongs to Chozha period. Chozha period 4 Inscription stones are installed in the praharam. The earliest inscription recorded in this temple belongs to Adhitya Chozha’s 8th reign year ( 878 CE ). The other inscriptions on the stone slabs belongs to Rajaraja Chozha-I ( 985 to 1014 CE ), Rajaraja Chozha-II (1152 CE –inscription is on the adhistanam Kumudam ), Kulothunga Chozha-III (1188 CE ), Veera Rajendran, Telugu Chozha Vijayakanda Gopala and Pandya King Sundara Pandyan.
As per the inscriptions this place was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu, Puliyur kottathu, Perur nattu Kulapakkam and Sivapada sekara nallur. Lord Shiva was called as Sri Vageeswara Mahadevar.
An Adhitha Chozhas 8th reign year inscription records the gift of 250 Kuzhi land to this temple by Perur Nattu Kulapakkam Kulapakkam Kilan.
Rajarajan-II’s ( 1152 CE) inscription on the maha mandapam adhistanam Kumudam, records the reconstruction of this temple with Sanctum sanctorum, antarala ardha mandapam. Nirutha mandapam and sobanam, as stone temple / katrali, by Kulapakkam Chengol Thillaivanan Kakku Nayakan. From this it is to be understood that the original temple during Adhita Chozha’s period might have been a brick temple with the Lord Shiva’s name as “Agastheeswarar” instead of Vageeswarar.
Another inscription Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Veera Rajendran’s ( Kulothunga Chozha-III was also called as veera Rajendran ), 1188 CE inscription records that Kulapakkam Vivanallooran Pandithan, Kakku Nayakan established an endowment of burning sandhi lamp in this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple. For which 3 cows were gifted to this temple.
The Telugu Chozha Vijayakanda gopalan’s 29th reign year inscriptions two numbers found on the sanctum wall, records that this place was also called as ”Sivapada Sekara nallur”.
The Pandya King Sundara Pandiyan’s inscription is incomplete and not readable. The other inscriptions mainly records the endowment of Poojas, service and donations given to this temple. The temple is under the control of HR & CE.
LEGENDSAs Per the legend, During celestial wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati, all the Gods, Devas, Maharishis, Sages gathered at Mount Kailash. Due to this the north side of this earth lowered and south side went up. To balance the earth, Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to south. From Mount Kailash towards Podhigai Hill, Agasthiyar established many Shiva Lingas and worshiped. It is believed that this temple is also one of them. The sage Agasthiyar , Sage Vagheesar and Suriyan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. It was told that Sun rays falls on moolavar on 3 days in a year.
Devotees worships Lord Shiva and Parvati for marriage and Child boon. They do Pariharan to get relieved from the adverse effect due to Suriyan. POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chathurti, and some important functions.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 07.30 Hrs to 11.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILSSankar Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile +91 9444321725 for further details.
HOW TO REACHThe temple at Kolapakkam is about 4 KM from Porur Signal, 12.3 KM from Koyambedu Bus Terminus, 19.3 KM from Chennai Central.Nearest Railway Station is 8 KM and Central is 19 KM
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Suriyan Sannidhi
Most of the Phots are taken from the Website, Google map and Mr Ganesh. Thanks to the unknown photographers. --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
An Adhitha Chozhas 8th reign year inscription records the gift of 250 Kuzhi land to this temple by Perur Nattu Kulapakkam Kulapakkam Kilan.
As Per the legend, During celestial wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati, all the Gods, Devas, Maharishis, Sages gathered at Mount Kailash. Due to this the north side of this earth lowered and south side went up. To balance the earth, Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to south. From Mount Kailash towards Podhigai Hill, Agasthiyar established many Shiva Lingas and worshiped. It is believed that this temple is also one of them.
Suriyan Sannidhi
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