Agastheewarar Temple, Pozhichalur






Lesser Known Temples of Madras : 60

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Agastheeswarar Temple, Pozhichalur (Vadatirunallar)


     This temple is situated in Pozhichalur which is at a distance of 3 kms from Pallavaram railway station.  This temple is one of the Navagraha parikara temples of Thondaimandalam known for Saneeswarar. The legend of the temple is like this. The effects of Sani affects every devotee and gives them troubles and hardships. To get relief of these sins Sani Bhagwan prays to Lord Shiva to get relief of his Doshams.  Lord Shiva asks Sani Bhagwan to come to this place and worship him. As directed Sani Bhagwan worships the God at this place and cleanses himself the sins he has committed on others. He is worshipped in this temple as prime God next to Tirunallar and is called Vadatirunallar. Lord Sani is housed here on the Maha Mandapam of the temple.


        This is a latter Chola period temple as seen by the architechture and the Gajaprishta Vimanam( Thooganai  Madam). Sage Agastheeswarar on his return from Himalayas stayed here and worshipped the deity here and hence the Moolavar is called Agastheeswarar. The Ambal here has a separate Sannidhi facing south and is called Anandavalli.  On the 7th,8th and 9th of the Tamil month of Chithirai the rays of the Sun directly falls on the lingam in the sanctum.


         During the Chola period this area was called Pugazh Chozhanallur ( புகழ் சோழநல்லூர்) which has over a period of time became Pozhichalur.  There are separate shrines for Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy and Anjaneyar in the temple. The Mottai gopuram at the entrance of the temple is of Vijayanagar vintage and is incomplete.The Vimanam of the sanctum is three tiered with a elliptical base and Gajaprishta shikara reflecting the later Chola era architecture.  It is believed that Sekkizhar, and Kulothunga II visited this temple. The Temple is managed by hereditary trustees from the Vellalar community.

Temple timings 

Monday to Friday 5.45am to 12 noon

                                 4.00pm to 8.30 pm

Saturday & Sunday  5.30am to 1.00pm

                                     3.00pm to 9.00pm

 

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