Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Pozhichalur Sri Agatheeswarar

Pozhichalur is about 3 kms from Pallaavaram Railway station off the road towards Kunrathur.

It has an ancient Shiva temple belonging to Chozha period.

The main deity here is Sri Agatheeswarar and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli.

This beautiful temple is one among the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) dedicated to Lord Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan.

According to legend, Lord Shiva directed Sri Agasthiyar to go towards south to balance the earth during His wedding at Mount Kailash. As per the God’s direction, Sage Agasthiyar came down to the southern part to balance the weight of the earth. While he was on his way to Podhigai hills, he stayed here for many years and worshipped Lord Shiva, a Swayambhu (self evolved) Lingam at this place.

Sage Agasthiyar had a boon that wherever he worships Lord Shiva, he will get the dharshan of the Lord’s marriage with Goddess Parvathi. Sage Agasthiyar is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here and got His dharshan in this place.

Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. As Sri Saneeswara had been giving ill effects to people, he had gained Dhosham out of it. Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan, wanting to be relieved of his dhoshams, prayed Lord Shiva for help.

Lord Shiva asked Sri Sani Bhagavan to come to this place and worship Him. As directed, Sri Sani Bhagavan came to this place, created a pond called ‘Sani Theertham’ and worshipped Lord Shiva and got relieved of his problems.

Hence, Sri Sani Bhagavan here is believed to be Mangala Saneeswarar with no dhoshams or ill effects. People having problems because of Sani (Saturn), worship here to reduce the ill effects. This place is also called ‘Vada Thirunallaaru’.

The main deity, Sri Agatheeswarar is seen facing the east and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli facing south. The temple is facing north and does not have Rajagopuram.

Sri Sani Bhagavan is facing west towards the main deity in the sanctum. This temple is also a Parihaara Sthalam for Raahu and Kethu.

This temple had been renovated during Chozha period. The sanctum is built in Gajabrishta shape (also called Thoongaanai Maadam) shape.

Lord Ganesha (Vinaayagar) is seen under a peepul tree at the south west corner of the temple. At southeast of the sanctum, Lord Anjaneyar (Sri Hanuman) has a separate shrine.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple 'Maa Maram' (Mango tree) is at the north western side of the temple.

There is a beautiful Shiva Lingam under the Mango tree along with Sri Nandhi.

The Theertham of this temple is called ‘Sani Theertham’ which is located a little away from the temple. This pond is in a very poor state with encroachments all around.

Raahu Kaalam, Pradhosham, Aarudhra Dharsanam, Sivarathri, Sani Peyarchi and Karthigai Deepam are few of the special days in this temple.

Temple Address : Sri Agastheeswara Swami Temple, Pozhichalur, Chennai - 600 074. Tel : 044 - 32564022, 9382305974, agaskoil@yahoo.com (Contact : Mr. Shanmugavel Kumarasamy, Trustee). Website : www.pozhichalursaneeswarartemple.org

38 comments:

  1. While browsing net seeking details about temples around chennai, i found your blog, which is informative and interesting. Kudos to your sacred work...keep it up...

    Ganapathy
    Baroda

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  2. hi
    Thanks for your posting.last saturday i visit the temple.it is amazing.

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  3. Excellent info. I am trying to get this Temple mailing address (Pozhichalur Sri Agatheeswarar).
    Can you help?
    Thanks in advance.

    Ramya

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  4. really this is very wonderful and excellent service to know information about temples. very greatful the service people. thanks a lot.keep doing.

    varadhan

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  5. Sir,

    I came across this site and found this site very informative.

    Thanks and keep up the good work.

    Vijayabaskar Esakkimuthu

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  6. Thanks for the information just keep going on very interesting thread.

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  7. Hello. I am from Malaysia . Very very informative bro. Thanks a lot.

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  8. I actually lived in Pozhichalur long back. Now I live in the US. I haven't seen this place in at least 20 years. This brings me back a lot of good memories. Thanks for the article and pictures. Thank you Saravanan!

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  9. Hey there....
    This post brings back lot of memories about Pozhichalur. I stayed there just beside the temple for around 12 years. I have moved to Kerala, but I cannot forget Pozhichalur....
    I holds so many memories good and bad... my
    friends are also there.... I wish some of my
    friends would actually read this post and contact me.. I am working abroad, so visiting Pozchichalur has always been a day dream....

    if anybody wants to write to me, please write to
    lover.book@gmail.com

    Hoping to hear from some one...soon

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  10. Thank you very much for the information.
    Regards

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  11. Good info... kudos.....

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  12. thank you for your information.

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  13. hi,
    very helpful and informative. Thanks a lot. I browse through this every friday to take my mother to temples nearby chennai on saturday. Thanking you from inside heart direct !!!!!!

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  14. Thank you very much > it really helps us to plan a visit in couple of days

    T.CHINNADURAI AND PASUMPON

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  15. Hello,
    Very much useful info's. Visited today and it's Really Gr8 ! Temple opens till 11 in the morning and opens again between 4-8 p.m.

    T.V.SESHADRI,CHENNAI

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  16. Sir,

    I stumbled across your site, thanks to my good fortune.

    One of the best sites I have ever come across!

    I am sure, for all your efforts, God Almighty will keep showering His Grace upon you. Please keep up the good work and may you and your family live prosperously and happily for ever.

    a humble devotee
    ganesh

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  17. Very Great job, may the GOD shower the blessing For you and your family. And also to continue the great.

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  18. I was informed that this Temple is like THIRUKADAIYUR Temple famous for Sashtiapthapoorthi functions since SAINT AGASTHYAR HAD GOT THE BOON FROM LORD SHIVA TO THIS EFFECT.Kindly confirm Sukumar

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  19. dear brother please contact me regaridng create new wepsite in our temple and make correction and add this weppage call me as soon as possible this no. 9382305974

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  20. i am hereditary trustee of the above temple please contact me regarding corrc.& ommissions in this wepsite please call me 9382305974

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  21. Good work. God bless you.
    Dr.C.sivagnanam

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  22. Dear Mr. Saravanan,

    I have been a regular reader of your blog and have visited several temples based on the same. I have heard of a Kalli amman temple in Pozhichalur where the goddess is suppossed to have a cup in her left hand and the index finger of the right hand near her mouth as if she was tasting the contents of the cup. Have you been there? If so please post details and address. You are doing a noble service. Keep it up.

    Regards
    Priya Baskaran

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  23. I was trying to find any saneeswara temple in chennai.
    great good info!.

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  24. Very interesting and informative post.Keep the good work.

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  25. Hi i went to the temple past week it's very old and interesting temple those who need to contact the sivachariyar of the temple please contact him @S.Kotiswara sivachariyar -ph:9047528471

    Regard's
    Rajesh S.V

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  26. mr.saravanan, you are doing a great service to this world by giving useful information. Will you please publish information about Karanthai Vashisteswarar Temple (very old temple)in Thanjavur to all the devotees and keep up the good work?
    Regards,
    Parameswaran
    for any help contact me over 9940077789

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  27. very useful information

    v.jayaprakash, velacherry

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  28. heard about this temple.now this site has given good information.decided to visit and have darshan.

    sankaranarayanan

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  29. you have done great work!!!!! i really proud of you... you cant get such a info any where... thanks a lot. god bless you....

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  30. I live in Polichalur...Very happy to see out temple details in this site

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  31. really exciting to learn more about our ancient temples. Thank you. Good work. God Bless!

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  32. Really good information and would like to visit the temple. Thanks, keep updating the details forever...........

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  33. A nice place and good narration of the temple
    thanks
    siva

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  34. Yesterday we are visited the Temple it was renovated on 2010 & The temple looking very clean, Every one should visit the temple It's near By Anakaputhur Bus stand From Tambaram Route NO 66 Bus will go to the temple

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  35. i am living in polichalur i am to visit the agatheeswarar temple very powerful god also all of have to visit this temple

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  36. Great work and very informative. God bless you

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  37. Thanks .A wonderfull effort.Shall visit the Suryan And Sukran Temples today the #rd of May 2013 and Pray for you And for-' Sarvey jana suginobhavanthu'.Loga KShemam Vahamyaham"
    vjsm54@yahoo.com.Chennai.

    ReplyDelete