The Visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Vannivedu, Walaja was a part of Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimana Shiva Temple and Kanchanagiri Temples Visit, on 15th October 2023. Thanks to Ramesh Krishnamurthy, who took me to these places.
Devotees worshipping Vinayagar
It is believed that this is one of the Thevara vaippu sthalam and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Shiva of Agastheeswarar, in General.
நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்
சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுரநன் கான
கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்
குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூறுங்கால்
ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர
மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்சுர மந்தண் கானல்
ஈடுதிரை யிராமேசசுர மென்றென் றேத்தி
யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே.
….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort : Sri Bhuvaneswari
Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram ( Yet to be completed ) and an entrance from West side. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati is on the top of the west side entrance. A Vinayagar sannidhi is on the west side entrance. Entrance to the ardha mandapam is from South side with a mandapam. Bas-reliefs of devotees ( Husband & wife ) worshipping Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the ardha mandapam entrance. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are on east side after the rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar in the sanctum is small on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.
In the inner paraharam Sarabeswarar, Suryan, Manickavasagar, Moovar, Nayanmars, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, and Natarajar.
Ambal is in a separate temple like sannidhi facing east on the left side of the moolavar. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Simham and balipeedam are in-front of Amman sannidhi.
In the outer praharam Vinayagar Chandikeswarar, Akarshana Bairavar, Bairavar, a Memorial Stone ( may be donors ), Vinayagar, Veerabhadra, Saniswaran, Navagrahas, Stucco Image of Shiva and Annapoorani, Ayyappan, Anjaneyar, Varahi, Saraswati, Nagars under vanni Tree and Ashtadikpalakas.
Sarabeswarar
Veerabhadra with Vinayagar
Swarna akarshana Bairavar
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattika. The bhitti starts with vedika. Brahmakantha pilasters are shown on the Bhitti. The prastaram consists of Valapi & kapotam. Lotus petals are shown in the valapi. A two tier stucco vesara Sigara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtas. Stucco images of Agasthiyar, Bairavar, Natarajar and various deities are on the Vimanam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The present structure may belongs to 16th to 17th Century CE and the Ambal’s shrine was constructed little latter. No inscriptions was found to prove its antiquity.
The temple is under the administrative control of Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department.
LEGENDS
This temple is considered on of the Shadaranya Kshetras ( Sameevanam ) with Vanni Tree as sthala vruksham around Arcot, worshipped by Agasthiyar. The other kshetras are Gudimallur worshipped by Athri Maharishi, Avarakarai, worshipped by Kasibar, Karai worshipped by Gowthamar, Veppur, worshipped by Vasishta Maharishi, MelVisharam worshipped by Valmiki Maharishi and Padi alias Pudupadi worshipped by Bhardwaj maharishi. It is believed that worshipping all the seven temples on Maha Shivaratri days will be equivalent to worshipping of Kailasanathar of mount Kailash.
On 19th August 2015, evening, Durgai came down in the form of light from the koshta and walked towards Sri Bhuvaneswari Ambals’ Sannidhi and dispappeared. It was witnessed by Chamraj Lakshmi Ammal, Srimati Gangai Ammal and Palani Gurukkal, through the Ambal’s Pada / foot prints on the floor. The foot prints are preserved for Devotee’s darshan with kavasam. Special poojas are offered to these foot prints on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular Poojas, Special poojas are conducted on Pournami, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Thaipoosam, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Sarabeswarar Pooja on Sundays ( 16.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs ), Varahi Poojas, Theipirai Ashtami, Nayanmar’s Guru Poojas, etc,.
This temple is believed to be a parihara sthalam for Rahu and Ketu. Special poojas are done of Rahu and ketu peyarchi days.
Symbolic representation of Lunar and solar eclipse - as temple a Rahu and Ketu
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Gurukkal May be contacted on his mobile +919629372155 for Poojas, Mrs T Chamrajya Lakshmi Ammal my be contacted on her mobile number +9442227867, +919443227864 and +919943314410 for the Sarabeswarar Poojas.
HOW TO REACH
This Temple is on the Madras- Bombay Trunk Road, in Vannivedu a part of Walajah.
The Temple is about 5.6 KM from Ranipet Railway Station, 8.7 KM from Chennasamudram Toll Plaza, 5.0 KM from Arcot, 6.5 KM from Ranipet, 29 KM from Vellore and 109 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Ranipet.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Stucco images of Shiva and Annapoorani
West side entrance with Vinayagar Sannidhi
An ant hill on west side entrance
A Memorial stones - may be Chieftain with his wife or may be donars
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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