Kolathur Agastheeswarar Temple - Chennai

By -

Kolathur, today known largely as a busy residential neighbourhood of Chennai, quietly shelters an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many who pass through the area may not even realise that this small temple, tucked opposite Ganga Theatre, carries a tradition that stretches back centuries.

The presiding deity here is Lord Agastheeswarar. According to local belief, the Shiva Linga was originally installed by Sage Agastya himself, giving the temple both its name and its spiritual significance. The structure is modest and does not have a towering gopuram. Instead, in place of a traditional entrance tower, one finds a sculptural depiction of Sage Agastya worshipping the Shiva Linga,  a thoughtful and symbolic touch that immediately sets the tone for the temple.


The main shrine houses a small but serene Shiva Linga. The Goddess, Akhilandeswari, has a separate shrine within the complex. Both shrines face east. The temple does not have a flagstaff or bali peetham, but a small Nandi sits directly aligned with the sanctum, quietly facing the Lord.

The compact prakara includes shrines for Ganesha and Murugan with Valli and Devasena. Around the outer walls of the sanctum are the koshta images of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga. Chandikeswarar occupies his customary position.

Though simple in appearance, the Agastheeswarar Temple of Kolathur carries an atmosphere of age and continuity, reminding us how many such quiet shrines still survive within the expanding city.

Happy travelling.







Location: Kolathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

  1. lilySaturday, June 25, 2011

    sawasdee ka!! I come to visit naka...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hema's SolutionzMonday, January 28, 2013

    Recently visited this temple and found how precious it is......... Found good peace of mind.... However the maintenance of this temple is really bad, Hope the authorities could probably something..

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMonday, July 02, 2018

    Kalabairavar is in this temple is very powerful

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMonday, July 02, 2018

    Kalabairavar is in this temple is very powerful

    ReplyDelete
  5. GopalSunday, February 03, 2019

    Nice temple but maintenance is very poor.

    Kolathur area councelor or mla or any government authorised should take care of this temple.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Rare Navapashanam Murugan Temple in Chennai – Hidden Gem of Hastinapuram

By -
Image
Navapashanam Murugan at Hastinapuram temple, Chennai When we think of Navapashanam deities ,  known for their medicinal and spiritual significance,  our minds often go to the ancient and sacred shrine at Palani . However, tucked away in the quiet locality of Hastinapuram near Chrompet in Chennai lies a relatively unknown temple where Lord Murugan is enshrined as a Navapashanam icon —an unexpected find in a bustling metropolitan city. What is Navapashanam? Navapashanam refers to a rare amalgamation of nine sacred herbal and mineral elements believed to possess immense healing powers. The tradition of crafting icons from Navapashanam is attributed to Siddhar Bhogar , a legendary saint closely associated with Lord Murugan worship. Temples featuring these unique deities are exceptionally rare, making the discovery of such a shrine in Chennai truly remarkable. Navapashanam Murugan at Hastinapuram temple, Chennai The Temple at Hastinapuram Located in Hastinapuram , a developing...
Read more

A Hidden Shrine in the Heart of Chennai – The Nimishamba Temple of Sowcarpet

By -
Image
Entrance of Nimishamba Temple in Sowcarpet, Chennai Chennai, often hailed as the gateway to South India, is a vibrant city steeped in history and culture. While it is known for its iconic temples, colonial-era landmarks, museums, and beaches, the city also hides lesser-known treasures tucked away in its bustling neighborhoods. One such hidden gem is the Nimishamba Temple , located in the congested lanes of Kasi Chetty Street in Sowcarpet , a commercial hub in North Chennai. Who is Nimishamba? Nimishamba is a revered form of Goddess Parvati , the consort of Lord Shiva. The name 'Nimishamba' comes from the Sanskrit word nimisha , meaning ‘minute.’ It is believed that the Goddess responds to her devotees’ prayers and dispels their troubles within a minute—thus earning her the name Nimishamba . According to legend, Muktharaja , a king from the Somavanshi Mutharasa dynasty, was once granted a divine boon that Nimishamba would appear within a minute to aid him in battle ag...
Read more

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more