Agastheeswarar Temple

Overview

Kolappaakkam is the temple of lord Shiva, known to be Agatheeswarar and Sri Vaakeesa Mahadhevar here in chennai. The temple is located 18 kms from chennai. To reach Kolappaakkam one has two road routes, one from Porur to kolappaakkam via Gerugambaakkam and the other road is diagonally opposite to MIOT Hospitals off. Mount Poonamallee Road to Kolappaakkam.

About the Temple

Kolappaakkam temple is said to be one of the oldest temples of India, as it architechture dates back to 1300 years ago. The deity presiding in the temple is Lord Shiva but the prominence has been given to Sri Surya Bhagvan. As, it is believed that Sri Surya Bhagvan worshipped Lord shiva here and is one of the Navgrahas temple of Chennai which is devoted to Sri Surya Bhagwan. Similar to the legends, is the built of the temple, where Sri Surya Bhagwan’s shrine is facing the lord to the west while Sri Agatheeswarar is facing east. And the temple building is south facing, whereas, all the other important deities are facing towards Sri Surya Bhagwan, signifying the prominence of Sri Surya Bhagwan in the temple. Ambaal Sri Aanandhavalli, who is standing and also facing south same as the building is Lord Shiva’s the consociate. Loyal devotee Nandi is facing east towards Lord Shiva.

Other deities like Sri Ganesha, Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Durgai and Sri Sandigeswarar can be seen around the sanctum. A separate shrine of lord Ganesh known as Raja Ganapathy, is also present. At southwest portion of the temple are the shrines of Sri Kaasi Viswanathar and Sri Visaalakshi, which are facing east. Lord Subramanyar shrine in the temple has a green peacock made of granite, known as Maragatha Mayil.

Adjacent to the temple is ‘Arasa Maram-the peeple tree’ which is the Sthala Viruksham and Theertham is called ‘Amirtha Pushkarani’.

History of the Temple

A temple whose construction is 13 centuries old survived till this date is because many kings have provided their aegis to this temple and got it renovated. Firstly, King Aadhithyan renovated the temple during 878 AD. Then Raja Raja Chozha I, Raja Raja Chozha II (1152 AD), Kulothunga Chozha III (1188 AD), Sundara Pandiyan (1200 AD) along with Veera Rajendra Chozha, and also Telugu Chozha king called Vijayakanda Gopala have made their contribution for life of the temple.

An inscription found in the temple stated that, A king by name Sri Vijaya Maharaja of Sumatra Island (Indonesia) has gifted 250 Kuzhi (Thamizh is a unit to measure lands) of lands to Sri Agatheeswarar at Kolappaakkam, during the 8th year of his reign. Sri Vijaya Maharaja was contemporary to Raja Raja Chozha and had very cordial relationship with the then Chozha kingdom. The inscription revealed details of Buddhist activities nearby the temple and Sri Vijaya Maharaja was a Buddhist.

Fairs and Festivals

The crowd increases during festivities in this temple, as people from different parts of the city thong up for Special days like Pradhosham, Sivarathri etc. And celebrate it with full ceremonies.

Accessibility

Airport

The temple is just 30 minutes from the Chennai international airport. Hence, reaching Kolappakkam will not be an arduous task.

Railways

And people coming from train routes have Guindy as the nearest station and thereafter can take buses or autos.

Raod

Conveyance is not a problem to reach this place as a lot of buses and autos are available from Porur.

Temple Address