Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Ananthamangalam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Ananthamangalam Village was a part of “Shiva, Jain Temples and Heritage Sites Visit” at Saram and Ananthamangalam near Tindivanam, on 04^th February 2024. This Agastheeswarar Temple is on the north side of the Village before the Hill Shiva Temple and Jain monument.  

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Ranganayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east. The temple tank is on the north side of the temple. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati is on the top of the maha mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Utsavars are in the antarala. Moolavar is on a round Avudayar. In kostam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,  Lingothbavar and Durgai.

In praharam Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar and Bairavar. Ambal Sri Ranganayaki is in a separate sannidhi facing South. Ambal is standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Bas relief of samaram and Umbrella ( may be in the koshtam )

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha / maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on Pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam and Pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The pilasters are of brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam palakai and Vettu pothyal. The Prastaram is with plain valapi and kapotam. The vimanam above prastaram was built with bricks. The vimanam is of one tala, greevam and vesara sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The original temple belongs to Chozha period and letter reconstructed during Vijayanagara period. Again the temple was in dilapidated condition and the same was reconstructed during recent years.

அனந்தமங்கலம்

மதுராந்தகம் வட்டம் ஒரத்தி உள்வட்டத்தில் அனந்தமங்கலம் என்ற புராதனமான ஊர் அமைந்துள்ளது. ஒய்மாநாட்டுத் திருநலூர் நாட்டில் இவ்வூர் அமைந்திருந்தது. அரங்கமங்கலம், அரங்கைப்பதி என்றெல்லாம் இவ்வூர் அழைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஏரி தூம்பு எடுத்ததைச் சுட்டும் கல்வெட்டு வாசகம் வருமாறு:

1. ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ கம்பவன்மற்கு யாண்டு

2. இருபத்தொன்றாவது

3. அவநிமங்கலத்து

4. செங்குட்டி செய்வித்த தூம்பு.

அவநிமங்கலமே அனந்தமங்கலமாயிற்று போலும். இதுவே ஊரில் உள்ள தொன்மையான கல்வெட்டாகும்

There are 5 Inscriptions recorded from this temple. One of the 11^th Century inscription in the form of Poem, records that, Anangai Pathipichchan’s son Kodasaththan Keni Kizharkon, had reconstructed this temple with stone.

அனந்தமங்கலம் ஊரில் அகத்தீஸ்வரர் என்ற பெயரில் சிவன்கோயில் உள்ளது. கோயிலில் ஐந்து கல்வெட்டுகள் உள்ளன. கி.பி. 11ஆம் நூற்றாண்டளவில் அநங்கைப் பதிபிச்சன் என்பவனின் மகன் கோடச்சாத்தன் கேணி கிழார்கோன் என்பவன் அகத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயிலைக் கற்றளியாக்கியதைப் பாடல் கல்வெட்டு குறிப்பிடுகிறது.

The Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 1097 CE inscription mentions the Shiva’s name as Aludaiyar Agastheeswaramudaiya Nayanar. This inscription records the endowment of burning lamp. 

கி. பி. 1097 இல் வெட்டப்பட்ட முதல் குலோத்துங்கனுடைய கல்வெட்டு இறைவனை ஆளுடையார் அகத்தீஸ்வரமுடைய நாயனார் என அழைக்கிறது. விளக்குக்கொடை இதில் இடம் பெறுகிறது.

Vikrama Chozha’s period 1123 CE also mention’s Shiva’s name as Aludaiyar Agastheeswaramudaiya Nayanar. This inscription records the gift of Land after exempting the taxes.

விக்கிரம சோழனுடைய ஆட்சியின்போது கி. பி. 1123 ஆம் ஆண்டில் வெட்டப்பட்ட கல்வெட்டும் மேலே குறிப்பிட்ட பெயரையே குறிப்பிடுகிறது. வரி நீக்கி நிலமளித்ததை இது குறிப்பிடுகிறது.

 

Rajaraja-III’s period inscription gift of Padikaval Tax to this temple, Thirupani / renovations.

மூன்றாம் இராசராசன் காலக் கல்வெட்டு ஒன்று பாடிகாவல் வரியைக் கோயில் திருப் பணிக்கு வழங்கிய கொடையைச் சுட்டுகிறது.

Another inscription records that Athirajendra Nallur alias Arangamangalam Thiruvagatheeswaramudaiyar Temple’s Thirupani, was organised by Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan alias Seeyaballavan.

அதிராஜேந்திர நல்லூராகிய அரங்கமங்கலத்துத் திருவகத்தீஸ்வரமுடையார் கோயில் திருப்பணிக்கு இராஜநாராயண சம்புவராயனாகிய சீயபல்லவன் ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளான்.

Ref:

Tholliyal Nokkil Kanchipura Mavattam, by S Krishnamurthy.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after the re-construction of the temple in 2023.

LEGENDS

During Celestial wedding of Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, Maharaishis, Munis assembled at Mount Kailash. Due to this the north side of this earth went down and south side went up. To balance the earth Shiva asked the sage Agasthiyar to go to south. After getting the boon of Celestial wedding darshan whenever he wants, Agasthiyar started his journey to Pothigai Hills. On the way he installed and worshipped Shiva Lingas on many places. It is believed that sage Agasthiyar worshipped Shiva of this temple. Hence Shiva is called as Agastheeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pardosham, Maha Shivaratri. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala Poojas is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the north side of the Village Ananthamangalam. Town bus no 24 is available from Gandhi statue stop at Tindivanam.

This place is about 17 KM from Tindivanam, 26 KM from Melmaruvathur, 92 KM from Tambaram, 134 KM from Chennai Central station.

Nearest Railway station is Tindivanam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Ananthamangalam Ancient Rock cut Jain Temple / Jain Monument, Ananthamangalam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Jain monument or the Rock Cut Jain Hill Temple at Ananthamangalam Village was a part of “Shiva, Jain Temples and Heritage Sites Visit”, at Saram and Ananthamangalam near Tindivanam, on 04^th February 2024. This Jain monument is on a small hill about 3 KM from the Village Ananthamangalam. 

Tirthankaras, Yakshini and Parsvanatha Tirthankara images are carved on a small hill boulder near the Ananthamangalam Village. It is believed that this place obtained its name as Ananthamangalam, since the centre main image is considered as Ananthanatha. But if we go as per the iconography of the Yakshini, the main image is centre image is Ananthanatha. Hence this place was called as Ananthamangalam. But if we go as per the iconography of Yakshini, the centre image is Neminatha Tirthankara.

When we look in to Yakshini’s bas relief, the Yakshini is shown with only two hands. Hence this image may be as Siddhayika or Ambika, since other Jain Yakshinis are with 4 hands. Ambika is often described with Mangoes and child in her hand and another stood nearby under the protection of Yakshini. Two Samaras / whisks are shown on both sides of her head, instead of Samaratharis. In this group, Yakshini is carved very beautifully as her right knee is bent and her feet rests over the seated lion. Her left hand is bent from elbow and kept on waist. Her left hand is over a child and Child feet are also in rest position over seated lion. There are two secondary figures, also carved on the right side of Yakshini. The tree sculpted in the figure should Mahavenu means Great Bamboo which is keval tree of Jina Neminatha. From above observations we may conclude that Yakshini is non other than Ambika and the main image is of Neminatha Tirthankara.

The main image Neminatha is in sitting posture looks beautiful. A mukkudai is shown above his head. Celestial deities and samaratharis ( Shasandevtas and Vidhyadharas ) are shown on both sides. There are two figures on both sides of Lord Neminatha.  

Two more Jain Tirthankaras are carved on the left side of Neminatha Tirthankara. One of the Tirthankara is shown with mukkudai on the top of his head and samaras / Whisks are shown on both sides of his head. The other Tirthankara is identified as Parshvanath, since snake hood is shown over his head. In addition two whisks / samaras are shown on both sides of Tirthankara’s head.

On the right side of this group of sculptures, A Parshvanath Tirthankara’s image is carved along with a lady and Devotee in worshipping posture is on a boulder.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

An Inscription dated to 948 CE under the reign of Madiraikonda Parakesari Varman identified as Parantaka Chozha-I, is found  on a boulder on a side of these bas reliefs of Tirthankaras and Yakshini.

One of the inscription records as Rettanemi Adigal and the other records Arattaraana Nemigal. Parantaka Chozha-I’s inscription records that a monastery called Jinagiri Palli was functioning in this Village. The inscription also records that Vinaiyaapaasoora Kurvadigal’s disciple / student Vardhamana Periyadigal, gifted 5 Kalanju gold to this monastery. Still the Hill is called as “Samanar Kundru”.  Food was offered to one person daily.

அனந்தமங்கலம் மலை உச்சியில் இரு தீர்த்தங்கரர் திருமேனிகள் பெயர் பொறிப்புகளுடன் உள்ளன. ஒன்றில் ரெட்டநேமி அடிகள் என்றும் மற்றொன்றில் அரட்டராந நேமிகள் என்றும் உள்ளன. முதல் பராந்தகனுடைய ஆட்சிக் காலத்தில் (கி. பி. 948 இல்) இவை செய்யப்பட்டன.

பராந்தக சோழனுடைய கல்வெட்டொன்று ( கி. பி. 948 ) இவ்வூரில் ஜினகிரிப்பள்ளி என்ற சமணக்கோயில் இருந்ததைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது. வினையாபாசூர குரவடிகள் மாணாக்கர் வர்த்தமானப் பெரியடிகள் என்பவர் இப்பள்ளிக்கு ஐந்து கழஞ்சு பொன்னை அளித்துள்ளார். இன்றும் மலையானது சமணக்குன்று என்றே அழைக்கப்படுகிறது. தினமும் ஒருவருக்கு முன்பு உணவிடப்பட்டது.

This place Samanar Kundru  is being called as Sanaan Kunnu by the locals. The Pallava King Kampavarman’s Thoombu inscription records this place as Avanimangalam. Hence this might have got corrupted to the present name of Ananthamangalam.

சமணர் குன்று என்பதை மக்கள் சாணான் குன்னு என்பர். அனந்த என்ற பெயரும் சமணருடன் தொடர்புடைய பெயராகும். விழுப்புரம் வட்டம் செஞ்சியருகே உள்ள அனந்தபுரம் என்ற ஊரும் சமணர் வாழ்ந்த ஊராகும். ஸ்ராமணன் என்றும் ஸ்ராவணன் என்றும் வடமொழியில் வழங்குவர். சாணார் என்ற சாதியுடனும் இக்குன்றைத் தொடர்புபடுத்தலாம். கம்பவர்மனின் தூம்பு எடுத்ததைச் சுட்டும் கல்வெட்டு வாசகம் வருமாறு:

1. ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ கம்பவன்மற்கு யாண்டு

2. இருபத்தொன்றாவது

3. அவநிமங்கலத்து

4. செங்குட்டி செய்வித்த தூம்பு.

அவநிமங்கலமே அனந்தமங்கலமாயிற்று போலும். இதுவே ஊரில் உள்ள தொன்மையான கல்வெட்டாகும்

Ref:

Tholliyal Nokkil Kanchipura Mavattam, by S Krishnamurthy.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mayilvel the care taker of this monument mobile number +919943209617 may be contacted for opening of grill gates.

HOW TO REACH

This Jain monument in about 3 KM from the Village Ananthamangalam and about a KM from Sri Agastheeswarar Malai Koil. Town bus no 24 is available from Gandhi statue stop at Tindivanam to this Village.

This place is about 17 KM from Tindivanam, 26 KM from Melmaruvathur, 92 KM from Tambaram, 134 KM from Chennai Central station.

Nearest Railway station is Tindivanam.

LOCATION OF THE MONUMENTS  : CLICK HERE

Jain Beds

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Agastheeswarar Malai Koil / Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் மலைக் கோயில், Ananthamangalam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Malai Koil at Ananthamangalam was a part of “Shiva, Jain Temples and Heritage Sites Visit” at Saram and Ananthamangalam near Tindivanam, on 04^th February 2024. This Agastheeswarar Temple is on the top of a small Hill. This temple is also called as Mini "Isha", due to "Adi Yogi Statue" a stucco image.   

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Anandavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east on a small Hill. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati, Krishna, Adi Yogi are below the Rajagopuram Level. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Utsavars are in the antarala. Moolavar is on a round Avudayar. In kostam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar and Patala Vinayagar ( Rs 10 is charged for the entry to the cave ). The Vinayagar is below the ground level in a Cave.

Ambal Anandavalli is in a separate sannidhi facing east. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

PC - Website 

PC - Website 

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was built with Bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a adhistanam which do not confirm to any temple architecture.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

As per the history written on the sanctum sanctorum wall, the original temple was constructed during Kulothunga Chozha-I ( 1097 CE ) and latter contributions extended by Rajaraja-III ( 1221 CE ). But no evidence is found in the temple. 

The present structure was constructed by Mr Ravichandran of Subrapatham Builders and first Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 23^rd June 2008, Second Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 23^rd August 2013 and third Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after the construction of Rajagopuram on 17^th June 2022.

The temple is being maintained by Agavan Arakattalai.

Initially Jain monks lived in the natural caves with Jain beds carved. The Cave with Jain bed was completely converted as Patala Vinayagar Shrine during recent years.  

Patala Vinayagar ( PC - Website )

LEGENDS

During Celestial wedding of Shiva with Parvati, all the Devas, Maharaishis, Munis assembled at Mount Kailash. Due to this the north side of this earth went down and south side went up. To balance the earth Shiva asked the sage Agasthiyar to go to south. After getting the boon of Celestial wedding darshan whenever he wants, Agasthiyar started his journey to Pothigai Hills. On the way he installed and worshipped Shiva Lingas on many places. It is believed that sage Agasthiyar worshipped Shiva of this temple. Hence Shiva is called as Agastheeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pardosham, Maha Shivaratri, Karthigai Deepam etc,. Pournami Girivalam is done every month. On Maha Shivaratri day, 4 Kala pooja is conducted and Thalam poo is offered on that day to Shiva.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs. and 16.00 hrs. to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number +919150475559 and +91 98433 58186 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on a small hill, about a KM away from the Village. Town bus no 24 is available from Gandhi statue stop at Tindivanam.

This place is about 17 KM from Tindivanam, 26 KM from Melmaruvathur, 92 KM from Tambaram, 134 KM from Chennai Central station.

Nearest Railway station is Tindivanam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Adi Yogi

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---