Kolappaakkam Sri Agatheeswarar

Kolappaakkam (கொளப்பாக்கம்) is located at about 18 kms from Chennai. One can take the road from diagonally opposite to MIOT Hospitals off. Mount Poonamallee Road, to reach Kolappaakkam. Alternatively, one can also go from Porur via Gerugambaakkam and reach Kolappaakkam.

Kolappaakkam has a beautiful Shiva temple where the main deity is Sri Agatheeswarar (also called Sri Vaakeesa Mahadhevar) and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli.

This temple is said to be over 1300 years old. According to legend, Sri Surya Bhagavan had worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. Sri Surya Bhagavan has a separate shrine inside this temple facing the Lord towards west. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai devoted to Sri Surya Bhagavan. The Sun God is given prominence in this temple, where all important deities of the temples are facing Surya Bhagavan shrine.

The color of Vasthram (clothing) meant for Sri Surya Bhagavan is Red. The Dhaanyam (grain) dedicated to Him is Wheat and the auspicious day to worship Sri Surya Bhagavan is Sunday. Worshipping Sri Surya Bhagavan on Sunday, by offering red cloth, red flowers and wheat gives success to one in all his deeds. Also, it is said that worshipping Sun God makes one gain the Thejas.

It is said that, apart from Surya Bhagavan, Sage Agasthiyar too had worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Sri Agatheeswarar. Another Rishi called Vaakeesa Muni also had worshipped Sri Agatheeswarar here.

The temple is built facing south on a vast land. Sri Agatheeswarar is seen facing east. Ambaal Sri Aanandhavalli is facing south and is in standing posture. Nandhi is seen facing the Lord towards east.

Other deities like Sri Ganesha, Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Durgai and Sri Sandigeswarar are seen around the sanctum.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Ganesha called Raja Ganapathy here. Also, Sri Kaasi Viswanathar and Sri Visaalakshi have separate shrines facing east at the south west portion of the temple. Lord Subramanyar also has a shrine in the temple in which a Maragatha Mayil (Peacock made of green granite) is found.

Sri Kaala Bhairavar is very popular in this temple and is said to be more powerful. Special Poojas and Abishegams are performed to Sri Kaala Bhairavar every Sunday during Raahu Kaalam (4.30 pm to 6 pm) timings. It is said that people worshipping Sri Bhairavar here for 6 consecutive Sundays, get their wishes fulfilled.

Many kings have patronized this temple during various periods. A king called Aadhithyan is said to have done renovations to the temple during 878 AD.

Also Raja Raja Chozha I, Raja Raja Chozha II (1152 AD), Kulothunga Chozha III (1188 AD), Sundara Pandiyan (1200 AD), Veera Rajendra Chozha, a Telugu Chozha king called Vijayakanda Gopala are said to have contributed much to the temple, according to the inscriptions found in the temple.

According to another inscription, a king by name Sri Vijaya Maharaja of Sumatra Island (Indonesia) is said to have gifted 250 Kuzhi (குழி - in Thamizh is an unit to measure lands) of lands to Sri Agatheeswarar at Kolappaakkam, during the 8th year of his reign. Inscriptions reveal that Sri Vijaya Maharaja was contemporary to Raja Raja Chozha and also had very cordial relationship with the then Chozha kingdom. The inscription also gives details about some Buddhist activities nearby this temple and Sri Vijaya Maharaja was a Buddhist.

In the recent past, the ASI have explored the area and found ruins of a Buddhist shrine near the temple. A couple of Buddha statues and pillars were discovered near this temple, which is kept in the street sides of the temple. A carving of Lord Ganesha is also found on one of these pillars. Archeologists predict that Sri Vijaya Maharaja, who visited the Buddhist temple at Kolappaakkam, could have also visited Agatheeswarar temple and made donations to the temple.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is ‘Arasa Maram’ (Peepul tree) and Theertham is called ‘Amirtha Pushkarani’ (pic above) which is found adjacent to the temple and is less maintained.

Special days like Pradhosham, Sivarathri etc., are celebrated well in this temple. Devotees throng from different parts of the city during such days.

This wonderful temple with great significance is now coming to light gradually.

Nagalapuram Sri Veda Narayana Perumal

Nagalapuram is a small town in Andhrapradesh, about 70 kms south east of Thirupathi and about 90 kms North of Chennai. If traveled from Chennai, Nagalapuram is situated about 15 kms from Uthukkottai on the highway towards Puthur, after Suruttuppalli.

The presiding deity is Sri Veda Narayana Perumal. This temple is called Mathsya Avataara Sthalam as Lord here is seen in Mathsya Avatar, which is the first and foremost avatar (incarnation) among 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu.


According to the legend, a demon king called Somukasura once stole the 4 Vedas and kept them in his custody under the sea. Brahma, who is the creator, was worried as the whole world cannot function without the presence of Vedas. He went and pleaded to Lord Vishnu to save the Vedas and the universe.

Lord Vishnu, took the avatar in the form of a fish (Mathsya in Sanskrit), went deep into the sea and fought with Somukasura. Somukasura was defeated in the battle by Lord Vishnu, who brought back 4 Vedas and handed over to Lord Brahma safely. As God saved Vedas here, he is known as Sri Veda Narayana Perumal.

The lord is seen here in Mathsya Avatar along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.

This ancient and vast temple was built during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya. Also Krishna Deva Raya had named this town as Nagalapuram in memory of his mother Nagamba.


The temple spread on a very vast area has grand Gopurams and huge prakaarams. This temple is wonderfully maintained by Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam with beautiful gardens along the prakaarams.


The other deities present here are Lord Ganesha, Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Venugopala Swamy, etc., among many others.

The rarity of this temple is the Surya Pooja which happens annually during the temple’s Brahmotsavam on Sukla Dwadasi, Trayodasi and Chathurdasi days of Tamil month Panguni which is approximately around last week of every March.

On the above 3 days one can witness the Sun’s rays from the horizon, entering the sanctum and falling at the Lord’s Feet on the first day, Naabhi (Navel) on the second day and Forehead on the third day, during the sunset, as the Lord here is facing towards west.

All this happens not from the ceiling or any opening in the temple, but from the entrance of the temple. The deity is about 600 meters from the main Gopuram entrance and the Sun’s rays have to pass through such a distance to fall directly on the deity.

This miracle never happens again throughout the year except these 3 days.

Also it is still not understood whether it is the architectural or astronomical brilliance by our ancestors, as this has been happening for ages from now.

This event signifies Sun God’s (Surya) Seva to the Lord to warm up his chilled body, as the Lord has been under water for many years during his war against Somukasura.

Large numbers of people throng this temple to witness this rare event.

Nagalapuram is easily accessible by road both from Chennai and Thirupathi.