Agastya Temple - Chennai

Agastya, spelt as Agasthiar in much of South India, is one of the best-known sages in Hindu tradition. His stories travel across regions, appearing in both northern and southern narratives. And because many episodes connected to him are rooted in the southern landscape, his presence is also felt in temple iconography: you will often find an Agastya image tucked into a niche, a corridor, or a subsidiary shrine in several South Indian temples.

In Chennai’s T. Nagar, there is even a temple that carries his name, known locally as Agastyar Temple or Agastyar Ashram.

Located very close to Pondy Bazaar, this is a popular neighbourhood temple with a steady stream of visitors. Interestingly, though it is called an Agastyar temple, the presiding deity is Shiva. The origins of the temple, who built it and how old it is, are not clearly known. What is evident, however, is that the current structure and many of its expansions belong to more recent times.

The temple has a gopuram, and once you step in, one of the first shrines you encounter is for Ganesha, worshipped here as Nityananda Ganesha, shown with Siddhi and Buddhi. The walls around this section are packed with lively stucco work; bright, detailed, and full of uncommon scenes. Some of these are quite rare to see in a city temple: Ganesha seated on a peacock, Ganesha in combat with asuras, and even Ganesha as a crow alongside Agastya, a striking visual that instantly draws attention. A Bhairava image is also found nearby, close enough to feel like part of the same spiritual circle.

A separate shrine is dedicated to Subramanya, accompanied by Valli and Devasena. Near this, the temple’s identity becomes clearer: there are distinct shrines for Agastya and his consort Lopamudra. It is likely this paired presence that has led the temple to be popularly called an “Agastyar Ashram.”

One feature that many visitors specifically pause for is the Navagraha shrine, not merely because all nine grahas are present, but because each is shown with the respective vahanas, a detail that is not always seen in every temple.

As mentioned earlier, the main sanctum belongs to Shiva, worshipped here as Vanibeshwarar, in the form of a Shiva linga. The linga is positioned slightly lower, almost in a shallow, sunken setting. Behind it, you will notice an unusual arrangement: icons of Shiva and Parvati placed behind the linga, a placement that is not commonly seen in many South Indian temples. The goddess shrine is dedicated to Vadivambikai, and the name fits: the icon is indeed graceful and striking.

Another unexpected detail appears on the gopuram itself. Alongside spiritual figures, the tower includes representations of national and social leaders such as  “Variyar,” Subramania Bharati, and V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC), an uncommon blend of devotion and public memory.

Other shrines within the temple include:

• Lakshmi Narayana

• Kalyana Varadar (with a bronze Lakshmi and an icon of Ganesha)

• Dakshinamurti

• Ayyappa

• Nagaraja

• Chakrathalwar and Narasimha

• Durga

• Chandikeshwara

• Hanuman

• Utsava murtis

If you enjoy temples that offer a slightly different set of sights, both in iconography and in the way tradition is presented, this neat little temple in T. Nagar is worth a visit.

Happy travelling.