Sri Agastheewarar Temple

Overview

Sri Agastheewarar Temple is an ancient Shiva shrine situated at Kiliyanur village, in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. This is the 33rd temple in the Thondai Region praised by Saint Tirugnana Sambandar in the religious text Thevaram. The temple is also known as a popular Rahu-Kedu parikara Sthalam, since the divine snake Aadhisesha himself is said to have worshipped Lord Agastheeswara here.

About the deity

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Agastheewara who graces from the sanctum as a Suyambumurthi (self manifested) in the linga form, while Goddess Akilandeswari (Devi Parvathi) graces from a separate shrine. Sub deities like Lord Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Sri Gajalakshmi, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Kaala Bairavar, Pitchandavar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durgai, Navagraham, Suryan and Chandran graces from their respective shrines present in the temple precinct.

About the Temple

Sri Agatheeshwara temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. Presumed to be built during the Chola Period, the temple neither has a flag post (Kodimaram) nor a main tower(Rajagopuram). Historical references points out to the fact that the name “Killi” was widely used by the Chola rulers as their surname, King Nedungkilli and King Killivalavan to name a few. Hence there is a possibility that this place acquired the name “Kiliyanur” with its connection to the Chola dynasty.

The inscriptions found in the temple reveals that this temple was initially built using bricks, but was later reconstructed with granite, sometime during the reigns of King Paranthaka Chola-I.

It is said that Sage Kalava Maharishi came to this place and stayed here for a long time with his two daughters who were suffering from some critical illness. They prayed to Lord Shiva here. Impressed by their devotion, Lord Shiva blessed the Sage’s daughters and cured them of their ailments.

It is also believed that the parrot-faced Sage Sukabrahma Maharishi visited and worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek relief from his stomach ailments.

Adisheshan (the serpent on whom Sri Mahavishnu rests) is also believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

The lord here is said to resolve obstacles pertaining to wedding from one's life. His blessings also graces a person with abundance knowledge. Childless couples praying the Lord here are believed to be blessed with progeny. Consuming the milk used for Abhisheka on the lord is believed to cure illnesses.

Legends and stories

According to legends, Sage Agathiyar had installed the Shiva Linga here for worship and thus the Lord is known as Agastheeswarar. There is also a belief that Sri Nandi Deva performs pooja and worships Goddess Akilandeshwari here on Maha Shivratri every year.

Festival

Maha Shivratri, Annabishekam and Thiruvathirai are some of the important festivals of this shrine.

How To Reach Sri Agastheewarar Temple

By Air

The closest located Airport is the Chennai Airport.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is the Tindivanam railway station.

By Road

The temple is located enroute Tindivanam and Puducherry. The nearest bus stop is Kiliyanur bus stand.

Temple Address

Sri Agastheewarar Temple,
Thiru Kiliyanur, Thindivanam Taluk,
Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu – 604001.