126. SRI AGASTHEESWARAR TEMPLE TIRU AGATHIYAN PALLI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	243rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	126th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

The town of Tirumaraikkadu (Vedaranyam in sanskrit)  is known primarily for its temple to Tyagarajar (one of the 7 Saptavitanka Stalams). Agastyampalli (Agathiyaanpalli) is a Shivastalam  located adjacent to the salt pans of Vedaranyam. 

Sage Agasthiyar had camped at this sivasthalam and had a vision of Lord Shiva's marriage with Parvati that was held at His abode Mount Kailash. The same legend of Agasthiyar getting a vision of Lord Shiva's marriage with Parvati is also associated with the temple at Tirumaraikkaadu (Vedaranyam). The wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati is depicted behind the main sivalingam inside the sanctum. In view of Sage Agasthiyar's stay at this sthalam, this place is known as Agasthiampalli. The sculpture of Sage Agasthiyar inside the temple is a beautiful one. Agasthyar built his hermitage here, and trekked up to Vedaranyam each day. Shiva here is also known as Agnipureeswarar. Shiva's shrine faces the East while the Ambalshrine faces west.

From one of the stone inscriptions found inside the temple, it is said that the Pandiya king Kulasekara Pandian was cured of his disease after offering prayers at a nearby sivasthalam Vedaranyam. There are inscriptions here relating to Kulasekhara Pandyan (13th Cent AD)  and to the period of the Imperial Cholas.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The temple has a 3 tier gopuram.

·        The presiding male deity's shrine is facing east and the female deity's shrine is facing south.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Agastheeswarar
Ambal	Sri Baagampiriyaal, Sri Soundaranayaki
Theertham	Agni Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Agathi

BELIEF:

People pray here for removing from marriage obstacles.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Aani	June-July	Aani Tirumanjanam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

HOW TO REACH:

This paadal petra sthalam is located at Agasthiampalli, 3 Kms from Tirumaraikadu (Vedaranyam), another paadal petra sthalam. Town bus services are available from Vedaranyam.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple,

Tiruagathiyanpalli,

Nagapattinam,

Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: