Agathiyanpalli

Padal Petra Sthalam, Nagapattinam District

God

Agastheeswarar, facing east, Suyambulingam (self occurring)

Goddess

Mangai Nayagi, facing west

Other Deities

Agastya, Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Navagraha

Agathiyanpalli is a large east facing temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. A seperate shrine for Sage Agastya is seen here. The Navagraha’s are in a line facing towards same direction.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Agathiya Theertham, Agni Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Prosopis cineraria) and Athi (Ficus racemosa)

History

Thevaram Hymns have been rendered by Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE) for the lord here at Agathiyanpalli. Stone inscriptions dating back to Chola, Pandya, and Thirupuvana Chakkravarthy Veera Pandya Devar period are seen here at Agathiyanpalli.

Legend

Yama is believed to have worshiped here at Agathiyanpalli and attained Mukthi. Sage Agastya who was requested by Lord Shiva to balance the earth by going south during his marriage. Agastya is believed to be able to have divine vision of the marriage whenever he desired. Agathiyanpalli is one such place and where he created the Lingam himself, hence the name Agathiyanpalli. He is also believed to have built his hermitage here, and walked up to Vedaranyam each day. King Kulasekara Pandian celebrated the Utsavam (procession) for Lord Siva here, and he was cured of his ill health.

Directions

Agathiyanpalli is about 2 Kilometers south of Vedaranyam on the road to Kodikarai (Point Calimere). After visiting this temple drive on to the Kodikarai Paadal Petra Sthalam. The area and the drive is beautiful.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Vedaranyam.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples