Villivakkam Agastheeswarar Temple

Overview

The Agastheeswarar Temple is located in Sivan Koil Street, Villivakkam, Chennai. The temple is around 1 km from the Villivakkam bus terminus. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Divine Mother Shakti, the temple was built around 500 years ago.

About The Temple

The Agastheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Sri Shiva as Agastheeswarar Swamy and Divine Mother Shakti as Swarnambikai. The entrance is south facing and when you enter the inner praharam the goddess is in front facing south. She is in standing posture. The entrance of the Goddess shrine has the idols of Lakshmi and Saraswati. The main shrine also houses the Navagraha idols. Guru (Jupiter) is facing the Goddess. As Guru and the Goddess are facing each other, it is believed that those unmarried ladies who worship the Goddess here get the grace of Guru and get married soon. Lord Veerabadra graces from a separate temple at the southern entrance of Lord Agastheeswara temple. He appears with two sharp teeth with a Danda in His left hand. Daksha is before Him in a bowing form. Mother Badrakali shrine is in the front mandap. As Lord Veerabadra is another form of Lord Shiva, Pradosha pujas and one time puja on the Shivarathri day are dedicated to Him. Planet Mars created a spring here and worshipped Lord Shiva for relief from a curse. This spring-theertha is outside the temple. Hence, the temple is also famous as a Mars – Angaraka Parihara Sthala. Lord Valampuri Vinayaka is nearby facing north.

Legend and Stories

During the Wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi in Mount Kailas, Sage Agasthya was in south performing Shiva Puja in this place. Two demon brothers Vilvalan and Vatapi caused hindrance to his puja. Agasthya killed them with his penance power and incurred the Brahmmahati dosha-a sin caused by killing others, good or bad. He worshipped Lord Shiva here for relief from the dosha and also relief from any disturbance to perform his pujas. Lord deputed Veerabadra to help the sage. Lord Veerabadra protected Sage Agasthya and also relieved the sage from the dosha. He thus has His due place in the temple. As sage Agasthya worshipped Lord here, He is praised as Lord Agastheeswarar and is the presiding deity of the temple. When Lord Shiva granted darshan to Sage Agasthya with Mother Parvathi, Ambica was wearing golden ornaments; hence She is praised as Swarnambika.

Pooja Timings

1. Ukshakala Pooja - 5.30 a.m.
2. Kala santhi Pooja - 8.00 a.m.
3. Uchikala Pooja - 11.30 a.m.
4. Sayaratchai Pooja - 5.30 p.m.
5. Irandam Kala Pooja - 7.30 p.m.
6. Arthajama Pooja - 9.00 p.m.

Festivals

10 day Brahmmotsavam following Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; 1008 Conch abishek in Karthikai (November-December and Panguni Wedding Festival in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Offering

Realizing their wishes, devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother with Vastras and sandal abishek to Lord Veerabadra with betel leaves garlands.

Significance

Those facing obstacles in marriage due to adverse Mars effects and of shy nature pray in the temple.

How to Reach Villivakkam Agastheeswarar Temple

As Villivakkam is located in the main Chennai city, it can be easily reached by air. A major airport hub in Southern India, the Chennai Airport serves domestic as well as international tourist. The closest rail stop to the temple is the Villivakkam railway station which can be reached using the Chennai Suburban Railway. Villivakkam is just 8 km from Chennai Egmore. The temple is located close to the Villivakkam bus terminus, around a kilometer.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Agatheeswarar Temple,
South Mada Street, Villivakkam,
Chennai, India, Pincode - 600 049.