Shri Agastheeswara Temple Kolapakkam / Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், கொளப்பாக்கம் / ஶ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வர கோயில், கொளப்பாக்கம். அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், கொளப்பாக்கம், Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

It is believed that, this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshiped by the Sage Agathiyar in Thondai Nadu. Since there are many Kolapakkam around  in Tamil Nadu, this temple is also believed on the “Thevara Vaippu sthalam” sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. This Kolapakkam is behind the Vandalur Zoo.

 

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

Consort    : Sri Periyanayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a Temple tank, Brahma Theertham. Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the Mukha mandapam. A small kodimaram, Balipeedam and nandhi are in the mukha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas along with Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of ardha mandapam entrance.  An Ambal’s stucco image is on the entrance. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. 

Ambal is in Ardha mandapam facing south. A hole is provided on the wall in front of Ambal for the darshan from out side. A Vallalar’s photo is kept in one of the niche of Ambal shrine. In praharam, Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Ayyappan, Bhairavar and a Shiva Lingam. An abandoned statue is under a peepal tree near the temple.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Gajabirushta sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A two thala Gajabirushta Vimana is above the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the first tier.

 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION

Since this temple Vimana is of Gajabirushtam style, the original temple may belongs to Pallava period. The temple latter received contributions from Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. But there is no traces of evidences found in this temple in the form of inscriptions to prove Pallavas, Chozhas and Vijayagaras contributions.   

LEGENDS

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.

The Sun Rays falls on Moolavar after 4^th Kala Pooja on Maha Shivaratri day.  This is considered as one of the Suriyanar Temple and  Navagraha dosha parihara sthalam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 to 09.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs. But it is unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH

This Agastheeswarar temple at Kolapakkam is on the front side of Sri Nithya Srinivasa Perumal temple Temple and 350 meters off from Vandalur to Kelambakkam main road.

The temple is 2.2 KM from Vandalur ZOO south side Gate, 10 KM from Tambaram  and 28 KM from Chengalpattu 37 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Sub Urban Railway station is Vandalur and bigger Railway station is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

An idol under a peepal tree near the temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---