The visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Ponneri was a part of “Gajaprishta Vimana Temples visit – Part-2 on 07th May 2023.
This Sri Agstheeswarar temple is on the banks of river Arani, which originates from Pichatur lake, in Andhra Pradesh and joins with sea at Palaverkadu / Pulicat. To signifies the name of this place Ponneri, there are Two kalappai – ஏர்- கலப்பை - used for plough is engraved on the wall of the sanctum sanctorum. This denotes the name of the place as Pon er- பொன்+ ஏர் = பொன் ஏர், பொன்னேரி.. This place is also called as Kumbhamuni Mangalam.
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort : Sri Anandavalli
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a 16 pillar mandapam and a Temple tank. Sri Atrangarai Vinayagar temple is on the left side of the entrance with stucco images. A 3 tier Rajagopuram is after the entrance gate to the temple. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, Rishabam is after the rajagopuram. A Somaskandar mandapam is on the right side of the mukha mandapam.
Dwara Vinayagar and Palani Andavar / Murugan are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum with stucco dwrapalakas. In koshtam Vinagara, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.
Ambal is in a separate temple on the right side of moolavar temple, facing east. Stucco dwarapalakis are at the entrance of Ambal temple. Moolavar and Ambal temples are in straight line.
In the inner praharam Sannidhi Vinayagar, Nagars, Gnanappoongothai, Kalahastheeswarar, Abeethagujambal, Vinayagar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli devasena subramaniar, Ganapathy, Naga Lingeswarar, Ganapathy, Angarahan, Chandikeswarar, Veerabhadrara, Bairavar and Natarajar. Navagrahas are in the outer praharam.
ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and a common ardha mandapam for Moolavar and Ambal temples. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajaprishta Vimanam style on a pada bandha adhisthanam. Jagathi and Kumudam are not visible. The 3 tier Gajaprishta Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Various forms of Shiva’s stucco images are on the Vimanam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Even-though it is believed this original temple was built during Pallava period, no inscription found, might have been damaged during Vijayanagara period and 9th century inscription is found damaged. தமிழ் நாடு கல்வெட்டுக்கள் தொகுதி –XVII, திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்ட கல்வெட்டுக்கள் தொகுதி -1.
அகத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில் கருவறை நுழைவாயில் படியில் உள்ள 13 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு கல்வெட்டில் மண்டபம் எடுத்தவர் குறித்த விவபரம் உள்ளது. பதிணெண் பூமி ரதக்கான மண்டபம் கட்டியுள்ளார்.
On the step at the entrance into the central shrine of the Agasthísvara, the 13th century inscription records that the temple at Ponneri in Ponneri taluk, is not mentioning king and year. But it may be 13th century C.E. Name Padhinenbümi Radhakan constructed this mandapa.
அகத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில் கருவறை நுழைவாயில் படியில் உள்ள கல்வெட்டு அரசன் பெயர் ஆட்சியாண்டு உள்ள பகுதி முழுவதும் சிதைந்து விட்டது. ஒருவேதம் ஓதுபவர்க்கு வழங்கப்பட்ட தானம் கூறப்படுகிறது. பவிழ்ழியம், ஆரண்யம் போன்ற சொற்களும் இடம் பெறுகின்றன.
The fragment inscription on the entrance belongs to 9th century CE. The inscription records an endowment made for the maintenance of a person capable of teaching one Veda's including the Paviliyam and Arnă.
அகத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில் விநாயகர் சிலைக்கீழ் உள்ள 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு கல்வெட்டு சிலை செய்தளித்தவர் பெயரைப் பதிவு செய்கின்றது.
The 18th Century inscription on the wall of the central shrine of Sri Agastheeswarar Temple below the Vinayaga statue records that the statue was made by Sivakkolundu. .
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, South side raised and North side went to down. Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to South to balance it. On the way to Podhigai, Agasthiyar installed and worshipped Shiva Lingas at many places. It is believed that the moolavar of this temple was also installed and worshipped by Agasthyar. Hence Moolavar is called as Agastheeswarar.
Agasthiyar is also called as Kumbhamuni. Once Agasthiyar, to reduce the speed and the river flowing, he filled the Kaviri water completely in his kamandalam. Hence he was called as Kumbha muni. It is believed that he stayed in this temple to get rid of his stomach pain and worshipped Shiva of this temple. A Stucco image of Agasthiyar worshipping a Shiva Lingam is at the entrance of the Sanctum sanctorum from Mukha mandapam.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Navaratri, Maha Shivaratri, etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.30 Hrs to 20.00 hrs.
HOW TO REACH
The temple is on the banks of river Arani and about 250 meters from old Ponneri Bus Stand, 1.3 KM from Ponneri Railway station, 12 KM from Minjur, 24 KM from Periyapalayam, 37 KM from Koyambedu and 36 KM from Chennai Central.
The nearest Railway Station is Ponneri.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Veerabhadra
Atrangkarai Vinayagar Sannidhi
A 16 Pillar mandapam in front of the temple
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment