Villivakkam Agasteeswarar Temple - Chennai

Villivakkam is a well-known locality in Chennai. It is located in the central part of the city. In this area, there are two ancient temples. One temple is dedicated to Vishnu, and the other is to Shiva. The temple of Shiva is called the Agasteeswarar temple. It is the oldest temple in the Villivakkam area and is one of the oldest temples in the entire city. Let us explore this temple in this article..

Highlights:

• God - Agasteeswarar
• Goddess - Swarnambikai
• Teertha (Holy Water) - Angaraka Teertha
• Sthala Vruksha (Holy Tree) - Bilva
• It is a Chola-period temple
• Angaraka has a special status in this temple and is called Angaraka Parihara Sthala

Legend:

In and around Chennai, there are many Shiva temples named Agasteeswarar. Most of those temples have legends related to Shiva's divine marriage and the sage's travel in the southern direction. However, this temple of Agasteeswarar has a different tale.

Two Asura brothers, namely Villavan and Vatapi, were troubling the sages. Agastya killed both of them. As one of those Asuras, namely Villavan, was killed on this site, this locality obtained the name 'Villavanpakkam', which later became 'Villivakkam'.

The sage was affected by Brahmahatya after killing the Asura. He installed Shiv Linga on this site and performed poojas to him to get rid of his sin. As the sage Agastya worshiped Shiva in this temple, Shiva is called Agasteeswara.

Lord Shiva ordered Veerabhadra to help Agastya by ensuring no one disturbed his pooja. Bhadra also relieved the sage from Brahmahatya. It should be noted that there is a prominent shrine for Bhadra outside the temple complex.

Later, Lord Shiva appeared to the sage. Uma, who was found along with Shiva, was wearing golden ornaments. Hence, she is called Swarnambikai (the word 'swarna' means gold).

History:

The temple belongs to the Chola period. It is believed to have been built by Kulotunga Chola in the 12th century CE.  

Temple Layout, Architecture and Sculptures:

Entrance

The gigantic temple spreads across two acres of area. The temple tank is equally immense. It is called Angaraka teertha and is located outside the temple complex. Unfortunately, there is no water in this tank. Else, it would have been an incredible sight.

The temple is big, but there is no tower. As usual, the sanctum faces the east direction, but the temple entrance faces the southern direction.

Agasteeswara

In the sanctum, the big-sized Shiv Linga called Agasteeswarar is found. The entrance has two big and attractive Dwarapala idols. In addition, the entrance has the icons of Ganesha and Kartikeya on either side. Kartikeya is found in Brahma Shasta form here, holding Japamala.

A small Nandi is found in the Maha mandapa facing towards the sanctum. Outside, the tall flag staff, bali peetha and Nandi mandapa are found that face towards the west direction.

Vimana

The Vimana is a typical Chola-style Gajaprshtha. Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are the niche icons around the sanctum walls. The images are old and look beautiful. Chandikeshwara is found in his usual location.

Swarnambikai

The Goddess Swarnambikai is found in a separate south-facing shrine located in the inner prakara of the main shrine.

There are two prakaras around the sanctum.

Inner Prakara

The inner prakara has the following sub-shrines:

• Ganapati
• Subramanya-Valli-Devasena
• Saraswati and Lakshmi (they were initially found at the entrance of Swarnambikai shrine; during renovation, the idols were moved here)
• Vishwanatha Linga, Vishalakshi and Agastya
• Utsav deities of Uma & Maheshwara, Somaskanda, Agastya, Ganesha, etc.
• Nataraj-Shivakami

Besides these sub-shrines, a few icons are also found in the inner prakara, which are not housed in separate sub-shrines. They include:

• Surya
• Chandra
• Bhairava
• Adhikara Nandi
• Nalvar

Outer Prakara

The outer prakara is a vast open space with many trees and plants. 

Eleven small Shiv Linga icons, the sthala vruksha Vilva, a small icon of Goddess called Vilveswari and Navagraha are located in the outer prakara. Navagraha was initially placed in the opposite direction of Swarnambikai shrine. Swarnambikai facing Guru was considered auspicious; somehow, during the renovation work, the temple authorities shifted Navagrahas to the outer prakara.

Veerabhadra and Kali

There is a separate shrine for Veerabhadra located outside the main temple complex. Veerabhadra is found along with the smaller image of goat-faced Daksha. A small sub-shrine of Kali is also situated within Bhadra's temple.

Nagas

There are a few holy trees found together. Around those trees, there is a snake hole and a lot of sculptures of Nagas found. Is there any other temple in Chennai where so many Naga icons are found? I am unsure.

Happy travelling.

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