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.

Cherappanancheri Sri Veemeeswarar

Cherappanancheri is located on the Padappai - Kanchipuram road and about 4 kms from Padappai. After crossing Padappai, one has to take right turn from the main road to reach this village. The temple is hardly 1 km from the main road.

Cherappanancheri has an old, dilapidated Lord Shiva temple. This temple dates back to Chozha and Pallava periods. The main deity here is Sri Veemeeswarar. People also mention it as Sri Bhimeswarar. Goddess is Sri Swarnaambigai. This temple is believed to be over 3000 years old.

According to the legend, Sri Surya Bhagavan has worshipped the Lord here to overcome some of his problems. Sri Surya Bhagavan is seen facing straight to the sanctum towards west. Unfortunately the road divides Sri Surya Bhagavan shrine and the sanctum. That is Sri Surya Bhagavan is on the other side of the road facing the Lord. Also Sri Veemeeswarar here is said to have blessed all 27 stars and is the Adhipathi (Leader) of the stars here.

The entire structure of this ancient temple is all open to sky. The temple is in a very poor state. This sanctum is beautifully built in Gajabrishta shape (apsidal). The entire structure is made of stone and many parts of the temple are in pieces lying all over the surrounding places.

The main deity Sri Veemeeswarar is so huge and beautiful, facing east. The rarity of this deity is there is a mark like Naagar (Snake) naturally on the Shiva Lingam. Goddess Sri Swarnaambigai is seen inside the sanctum itself, facing south.

It is said that there was not even a ceiling for the sanctum earlier. Some local youths and students had volunteered to collect some funds and have managed to cover the sanctum with an asbestos sheet.

Pieces of damaged pillars and deities are seen all over. While going around the sanctum, the entire structure at the back side wall of the sanctum is seen completely damaged. Many stone inscriptions are seen all along the outer walls of the praakaaram.

There are beautiful steps too to go up to the sanctum which are fully damaged. Few broken sculptures and carvings are seen in the temple, which are in unidentifiable condition.

There are 2 Nandhis one behind the other facing the sanctum. It is said that the Nandhi which is seen behind was the original one, which was hit by a lorry and got damaged. Later as requested, the lorry owner himself had made another Nandhi and offered it to the temple. Such is the state of the temple that any vehicle can hit the statues of the temple. It is clearly visible that the mud road dividing the temple looks to be the recent development. With the size of the whole structure and the places around, the temple must have definitely had huge praakaarams to the extent till the pond.

The Sthala Viruksham here is said to be ‘Vanni Maram’ which is not found now. The theertham for this temple is ‘Brahma Theertham’ which is present a few meters away from the sanctum, without any maintenance. The real estate promoters have made layouts all around the temple and also the pond.

Now the temple is in a very helpless state and definitely needs some oxygen. The priest now comes here everyday from Tambaram does 1 time Pooja and returns back. He attends full time during special days like Pradhosham, Pournami, and Sivarathri. He also suggests us that if anyone likes to help the temple, they can do it by kind and not cash.

Anyone willing to visit or help the temple shall contact Sri. N. Murthy (Archagar) at Sri Swarnaambigai Samedha Sri Veemeeswarar Temple, 149, Cherappanancheri Village, Kanchipuram District. Tel: 94443 14310

A grand temple with rich heritage lies unattended with many archeological evidences wrapped in it, which is yet to be unfurled.

Thiruppulivanam Sri Vyaagrapureeswarar

Thiruppulivanam is an old small village located just 3 kms from Uthiramerur on the Kanchipuram Road.

Thiruppulivanam houses a very ancient temple for Lord Shiva called Sri Vyaagrapureeswarar Temple.

Thiruppulivanam got its name as Saint Vyaagrapaadhar worshipped Lord Shiva here. Saint Vyaagrapaadha possessed the body of human being and legs of a tiger (Puli in Thamizh). As this saint worshipped here, the place came to be known as Thiruppulivanam (Thiru - God, Puli – Tiger, Vanam – Forest).

According to the legend, it is said that Saint Vyaagrapaadha has worshipped Lord Shiva Linga here here and hence the name of the God, Vyaagrapureeswarar.

The saint had taken a boon from Lord Shiva to give him tiger’s legs for him to leap faster to fetch flowers for Siva Pooja even before the honey bees could touch them. He wanted the purity of flowers offered to the Lord even without the touch of bees. Lord Shiva granted his wish and Vyaagrapaadha was worshipping the God here.

One day, a king called Parantaka was infected with a strange disease and was advised to visit this temple at the north of Kanchipuram. As he neared the temple, Vyaagrapaadha, out of possessiveness went and hugged the idol of Shiva Linga. As a result of this, there formed a nail mark of the Tiger on Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva appeared and blessed both the king and Saint in this place.

As you enter the vicinity, a beautiful Nandhi, seated at a distance outside the temple facing the sanctum shows you the way to temple.

Here, you can find the main deity Vyaagrapureeswarar idol in the form of a Shiva Linga but with unusual Jada mudi on it. Also the Aavudaiyar (base of Shiva Linga) here is of square shaped unlike the usual circular one.

The Goddess here is Amrutha Kujaambal, who has a separate Shrine inside the temple on its outer Praakaram.


There is a very beautiful Pillaiyar (Ganesha) at the entrance of the Goddess’s Shrine, wonderfully carved on the stone wall.


The Dhakshinamurthy is very peculiar here and not seen elsewhere. Dhakshinamurthy offers Dharshan as Ardhanareeswarar (half Shiva & Shakthi). One foot of his is on the Lion and hand holding the Thirisoolam (as Shakthi). Another foot on the Muyalaka Asura (as Shiva)

He is seated under the Kallala tree. Around him one can see the 4 Sanath Kumaras (Sons of Brahma), worshipping him. Also seen are Saint Vyaagrapaadhar and Pathanjali Rishi (incarnation of Maha Vishnu’s serpant, Aadhi Sesha).

Usually, if there are rishis or saints near the God’s idol, they will be seen near the feet of the Lord worshipping Him. But here Vyaagrapaadhar is seen next to the God standing equally.

It is said that, Vyaagrapaadhar asked for a boon from the Lord that, both this village and the deity should be named after him. Also he should be equally given the importance while devotees worship the Lord.

Lord granted his wish and the place was called as Vyaagrapuri (Thiruppulivanam, today) and the Lord is Sri Vyaagrapureeswarar. Also an equal treatment is given to him in Sri Dhakshinamurthy’s Shrine.

The temple also has a separate shrine for Vyaagrapuri Siddhar here.

Another unique importance of this temple is, just outside the sanctum, you can see a dark underground tunnel, which is closed with couple of stone slabs. Upon request the priest burns a piece of camphor (pic above) and pushes it through the slit between the slabs and one can see the underground tunnel as a passage (pic below).

It is said that this underground passage starts here and ends at Uthiramerur Sri Sundara Varadhar Temple. This has been built by some king for their safe hiding etc., during the times of war.

The outer walls of the temple are magnificent with Rishabas (bulls) guarding the temple.

In the inner praakaram, one can see the pillars in unique shape which are not commonly seen in any other temples.

The Sanctum here is in the circular shape at the back (pic above). This type of Vimana belongs to the Chola style of architecture which is seen in some temples around Chennai, Kanchipuram areas. Such shaped vimanas are called Gaja Brishta (means Elephant’s Back) as they resemble the back of the elephant in sitting posture.

The other deities are Lingothbavar, Pillaiyar, Lord Brahma, Vishnu Durgai, Suryan (Sun God) and Navagrahas.

It is said that, from dawn till dusk a bit of sunlight falls on the Lord Suryan’s idol through a diamond shaped small slit on the wall facing Him.

One can see very ancient and beautiful works on the pillars with images of Kannappa Nayanar, Maha Kali etc., sculpted on them.

Outside the main temple, in front of the entrance, there is an old, big Mandapam, which is believed to be Indra Mandapam, in which Lord Indra lands here to worship God. It’s in a poor shape with no maintenance, but looks wonderful.

Visit this temple once and you will crave for more visits ! !