Agastheeswarar Panchesti

Saivite Temples, Thiruvallur District

God

Agastheeswarar facing east, Swayambu Lingam (self occurring)

Goddess

Anandavalli, facing south

Other Deities

Sidhi Vinayak, Murugan, Navagrahas, Ishtalingam, Ganesh, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Sage Agastya

Agastheeswarar Panchesti Temple is an east facing with a 5 tier Rajagopuram on the south and a Temple Tank in the east. The base of the Rajagopuram has some beautiful sculptures all around including the Navagrahas and the Ashtadikpalakars all facing the goddess. Goddess Anandhavalli is made of Maragatha (emerald) stone and is seen with her left leg forward and with 3 eyes. Sage Agastya installed a Maha Yantra (Durga Yantra) in front of the goddess here to bring down her fierce nature (Ugram). An image of this yantra is also carved on the ceiling of the Rajagopuram. A very old Snake pit is present in the northern side of the outside Prakaram, where people have seen a snake living even now and it is believed to be here protecting some hidden treasures of the temple. the Ishtalingam installed here in a separate shrine is believed to have been installed and worshiped by Sage Pulathiar, a disciple of Sage Agastya.

Holy water (Theertham) – Agasthya Theerthem

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilvam (Aegle marmelos)

History

On the Kolkatta Highway, just before the Thacchur junction going to Ponneri is Panchesti. Agastheeswarar Panchesti temple is about a kilometer inside on the right side of the highway as you go from Chennai. Take care while turning here or to be safe go to Thachur junction and take a U turn.

Legend

The three sons of Suketu, a demon cursed by Lord Muruga, in order to relieve their father of the curse searched the oceans to locate where he was hiding, thus disturbing the sea life. In the meantime his sons were disturbing the world with the boons they received from Parasakthi. the devas and all other gods came to Lord Shiva seeking relief. He appeared with his family and Nandi giving Sage Agastya the necessary power to bring the situation under control. Agastya then just drank the ocean waters and spit a little which fell in Panchesti. The demons were thus inside sage Agastya’s stomach and begged to be let out. They were asked to perform 5 Yagnas (Dheva Yagna, Brahma Yagna, Pithur Yagna, Bootha Yagna and Manuda Yagna) by Sage Agastya here at Agastheeswarar Panchesti and thus the place is called Panchesti (Panch – five, Ishti – yagna).

The Suyambu Lingam here is believed to have been here even before Sage Agastya came and was named so after his worship. The Agastya Theertham here was created on the full moon day on the Tamil month of Vaikasi ( May – June) and it is still considered auspicious to have a dip here on the same day.

Directions

On the Kolkatta Highway, just before the Thacchur junction going to Ponneri is Panchesti. The temple is about a kilometer inside on the right side of the highway as you go from Chennai. Take care while turning here or to be safe go to Thachur junction and take a U turn.

Stay and Food

None locally

Saivite Temples