Agastheeswarar Temple

Overview

The Agasthiswarara Swamy Temple is a temple of God Agasthiswarar and Goddess Padalambikai located in the Madurai - Tiruchchirappalli highway about two km. from Karunagalakkudi bus stop. Saint Agasthiyar is believed to have visited the temple.

About The Temple

It is a small but marvelous temple with a very scenic and serene surrounding. Especially at twilight it is a very refreshing and nice place to meditate. The temple, well located on top of the rock, is seen from the distance when one passes through the Madurai - Tiruchchirappalli highway near Kottampatti.

About The Deity

Lord Dakshinamurthy with His disciples, Lingodhbavar and Mother Durga grace in the corridor-prakara. There are also shrines for the great four Saivite Saints called Nalvar, Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai and Chandikeswarar.

In this temple, Sun God graces at the entrance of the temple with His consort Usha. Pradyusha is absent. This is said to be a rare form in a temple. Rarely He is seen with His consorts Pradyusha and Usha in the Navagraha group. While Lord Agastheeswarar is facing east, Mother Padagavalli faces south. While traditionally, Lord Muruga graces from the hill, here Lord Shiva is installed in the hill. As Lord Shiva granted His wedding darshan here, people perform marriages in this temple.

The sacred theertham – Sunai theertham – is behind the Shiva shrine.As this spring was worshipped as Lord Shiva Himself, it is named Tiruchunai.Maharshi Agasthya graces from a separate shrine.

Legend and Stories

On the occasion of the wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi, as large number of Devas and Maharshis gathered there, due to their collective weight, northern side went down and southern side came up. To balance the earth level, Lord Shiva asked Muni Agasthya to go to South. The Rishi felt sad that he could not have the luck of witnessing the divine wedding. The Lord assured him that he would grant his darshan at any place he wishes on his way.

On his journey to Pothigai, Agasthya stayed on this hill for a while and wished to see the wedding darshan. He created a spring for his bath. He spilled the water on a rock and worshipped it as Lord Shiva. Lord appeared on a rock with Mother Parvathi. As the Lord granted darshan to Agasthya, He is known as Agastheeswarar.

Festival

Sivarathiri,Thiru karthigai.

Thanks Giving

People perform abishek and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.

Rare Facts

Sun God with His consort Ushadevi graces near the entrance of the temple. While Lord Muruga graces from a hill in our tradition, it is Lord Shiva gracing from the hill. The spring water is perennial and never dries.

Significance

Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, for child boon and progress in education.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airpot is Madurai Airport.

Railways

The nearest Railway Station is Madurai.

Road

Karungalakudi is near Melur 45 km from Madurai on the Trichy road. The devotee has to turn left at Karungalakudi up to which bus facility is available. The temple is 2 km from here. Autos may be hired to reach Tiruchunai.

Temple Address

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple,
Tiruchunai ,Karungalakudi (post),
Madurai district. Pincode – 625101.