Agasteeswarar Salavedu

Agasteeswarar, Salavedu

Saivite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Agasteeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Kamakshi Amman, facing south

Other Deities

Sarva Sidhdhi Vinayaka, Navagraha, Bhairava. Sanctum niches – Narthana Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga

Agasteeswarar Salavedu is an ancient temple that was in ruins till some time back. Shakti Vikatan and other niche media featured articles about the sad state of the temple. When we visited in September 2020 the temple was shining beautifully and provided a sense of satisfaction as we walked around the spacious Prakaram, now nicely paved. Agasteeswarar Salavedu is an east-facing temple with a single Prakaram and an entrance gate from the south. A well is in front and Lord Ganesha is to the left as you enter. The sanctum sanctorum is east facing and the entrance is from the south. A maha Mantapam and Ardha Mantapa lead into the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Lord. The Shiva Lingam is about 3 feet tall. The campus is now filled with flowering shrubs. There is a small pond in the west that could belong to the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Pond

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Agasteeswarar Salavedu is an ancient temple and the present structure was built by Kulothunga Chola III (1178-1128 CE). The inscriptions also provide information about the then temple priest and details of contributions towards maintenance including burning of lamps. The temple was discovered in 1956 covered with trees and shrubs by a person called S.Venkatrama Iyer. He did his best to clear the area and informed the Great Saint of Kanchi, Mahaperiava who in turn did the needful to further enhance the temple and perform the Kumbabishekam. Mahaperiava is also said to have visited and stayed here for 15 days. After that again the temple lost its lusture due to lack of support and maintenance. Venkatrama’s nephew Krishnan Iyer then took up the cause and spearheaded the recent renovation.

Legend

The Shiva Lingam at Agasteeswarar Salavedu is believed to have been installed by Sage Agastya or one of his disciples. Sage Agastya was deputed by the lord to go south to balance the World during the huge congregation of celestials for his wedding with Goddess Parvati in Mount Kailash. During his presence in the south, he and his disciples are believed to have installed Shiva Lingams in many areas, all of which were called Agasteeswarar.

Directions

Agasteeswarar Salavedu is in the outer areas of Ulundai. Agasteeswarar Salavedu can be reached by taking the Melmaruvathur to Vandavasi road at the Sothupakkam junction of the GST road. Drive for about 13 kilometers and take a left before Ulundai village at the board mentioning Salavedu.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Melmaruvathur or Vandavasi.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples