Agasteeswarar Kallapuliyur

Agasteeswarar, Kallapuliyur

Saivite Temples, Villupuram District

God

Agasteeswarar, facing west

Goddess

Amman, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Sastha, Dakshinamurthy, Kala Bhairava, Pitchadanar, Sage Agastya

Agasteeswarar Kallapuliyur is a completely dilapidated west-facing temple. A Nandi faces the lord through a Saalaram (viewing window) which is open without the usual stone grill. The temple is situated in a single open Prakaram with most of the walls having fallen down. The Mahamandapam has been mindlessly barricaded with bricks and concrete sometime in the past, covering up 2 sides of the ancient pillars. All the idols have been moved to the south side from their original positions. These idols here at Agasteeswarar Kallapuliyur are all nice works of art. The entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum is through a door on the south side. A Mahamandapam with 14 carved pillars consisting of various deities including Sage Agastya is present before the Ardha Mandapam. A smaller Nandi is seen facing the lord inside in the Ardha Mandapam. The shrine of the goddess is separate and faces east on the north side.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Agasteeswarar Kallapuliyur is an ancient temple with many inscriptions on the outer walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum. The details of these inscriptions are not available as of now.

Legend

Agasteeswarar Kallapuliyur is believed to have been visited by Sage Agastya after which the name of the Lord became Agasteeswarar. Sage Agastya’s image is carved on a pillar in the Mahamandapam.

Directions

Agasteeswarar Kallapuliyur is 16 kilometers north of Gingee via Pennagar. Gingee is about 27 kilometers west of Tindivanam in the Tiruvannamalai Road.

Stay and Food

None locally, except snack shops in Gingee. The closest are Thiruvannamalai or Tindivanam.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples