- June 22, 2025
Nestled in Kolapakkam, Chennai, the Arulmigu Agastheeswarar Temple, along with its consort Anandavalli Amman, stands as a beacon of millennia-old spiritual heritage and historical grandeur. This ancient Shiva temple isn’t just a place of worship; it’s considered one of Chennai’s Navagraha Sthalams dedicated to Surya Bhagavan (the Sun God). It’s a powerful spiritual hub where devotees find peace and seek to overcome life’s obstacles.
The presiding deity, Agastheeswarar, is a sacred form of Lord Shiva. Legend has it that the revered sage Agastya worshipped Shiva here and received divine blessings, giving the temple its name. It’s believed to be one of the 108 Shiva Lingams established by Agastya in the Thondai Nadu region. Another sage, Vagheesa Muni, also worshipped here, leading to the deity being known as Vagheeswara Mahadevar. Devotees flock here seeking relief from Surya Doshas (afflictions related to the Sun), Kala Sarpa Doshas (serpent planetary alignments), various debts, and to usher in prosperity.
This temple boasts ancient roots, tracing back to the Chola period. An inscription from the 8th regnal year of Aditya Chola (878 CE) is the oldest recorded here, detailing a donation of 250 Kuzhi (a unit of land measurement) to the temple by Kulapakkam Kizhan of Perur Nadu.
Over centuries, numerous monarchs, including Rajaraja Chola I, Rajaraja Chola II (1152 CE), Kulothunga Chola III (1188 CE), Veera Rajendran, the Telugu Chola King Vijayaganda Gopalan, and the Pandya King Sundara Pandian, undertook renovations and sacred works here. The temple is believed to be over 1300 years old, a testament to its enduring legacy.
By the late 20th century, particularly in 1998, the temple was in a dilapidated state. However, fueled by the unwavering faith of devotees and under the diligent care of the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), it underwent a remarkable restoration. Today, it is meticulously maintained. During this revitalization, damaged inscriptions were carefully preserved, safeguarding the temple’s invaluable historical evidence.
The rejuvenation of such an ancient site, from near ruin to a vibrant place of worship, underscores that temples are more than just structures; they embody a community’s continuous faith and cultural identity. This restoration serves as a contemporary example of how spiritual traditions bravely face the challenges of time and remain alive. It reflects an unwavering commitment to pass on the glories of the past to future generations.
The Agastheeswarar Temple features a welcoming south-facing entrance arch, adorned with a beautiful stucco sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati seated on their divine mount, Nandi (Rishabaroodar). To the left of the temple lies the temple tank, known as ‘Amritha Pushkarani’, though it currently awaits better maintenance. The temple’s sacred tree (Sthala Vriksham) is a Banyan tree.
The presiding deity, Sri Agastheeswarar (also called Vagheesa Mahadevar), faces east, enshrined on a square Aavudaiyar (pedestal). Complementing him, Goddess Anandavalli Amman blesses devotees from a separate south-facing shrine in the Mukha Mandapam (front hall), standing gracefully. Directly opposite the main deity, Nandi Bhagavan sits facing east. This thoughtful arrangement allows devotees to easily behold both the Lord and receive the blessings of Mother Anandavalli.
A distinguishing feature of this temple is its dedicated shrine for Surya Bhagavan, which faces west, looking directly towards the main deity, Lord Shiva. Remarkably, all the other major deities (including the Navagrahas) within the temple also face the Surya Bhagavan shrine, an architectural rarity. Above the shrine, a beautiful stucco sculpture depicts Surya riding his chariot pulled by seven horses.
This unusual alignment of all major deities towards the Surya Bhagavan shrine is a profound architectural statement. It positions the Sun God as a central axis, signifying that all divine energies revolve around him. This unique design further solidifies the temple’s significance as a primary “Surya Parihara Sthalam” (a place for rectifying solar afflictions).
The temple’s sanctum (Garbagriha) features divine sculptures of Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga. Within the circumambulatory path (Prakaram), there are dedicated shrines for Raja Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (where Lord Muruga’s mount, the peacock, is believed to be made of green stone – Maragatha Mayil), Kasi Viswanathar and his consort Visalakshi, Kala Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Vagheeswarar, Nagas (serpent deities), Chandikeswarar, and Runa Vimochana Lingeswarar.
This temple is recognized as one of the Navagraha Sthalams around Chennai, specifically for Surya (Sun). It’s revered as highly effective for mitigating Surya Doshas, similar to the famous Suryanar Kovil in Thanjavur district. Devotees worship here to receive the blessings of Surya Bhagavan, aspiring for health, fame, and success.
The temple is also a Devaram Vaippu Sthalam, praised by the revered saint Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal in his hymns.
The Kala Bhairavar here is considered extremely powerful. Special pujas and Abhishekam (ablutions) are performed for Kala Bhairavar every Sunday during Rahu Kalam (4:30 PM to 6:00 PM). It’s a strong belief among devotees that worshipping Kala Bhairavar for six consecutive Sundays fulfills wishes and removes obstacles.
The deity Runa Vimochana Lingeswarar is believed to liberate devotees from all kinds of debts. This includes Deva Rinam (debts to deities), Rishi Rinam (debts to sages), and Pitru Rinam (debts to ancestors).
An astounding phenomenon occurs here: for three days each year, the sun’s rays directly fall upon the main deity, Agastheeswarar. This rare event further underscores the temple’s significance as a Surya Sthalam and highlights the direct blessings of Surya Bhagavan.
This temple is conveniently located about 1.5 km from the Sri Ramanatheeswarar Temple in Porur (a Guru Sthalam) and is also close to the Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple in Gerugambakkam.
Devotees fervently pray to Agastheeswarar and Anandavalli Amman for successful marriages and progeny. There’s a deep-seated belief that these wishes are fulfilled at this sacred site.
To overcome adverse effects from Surya (the Sun) and to achieve success and radiance (Tejas) in life, devotees offer red clothes, red flowers, and wheat grains to Surya Bhagavan on Sundays. This is a significant ritual performed here for Surya Dosha Nivarana (alleviation of solar afflictions).
Daily pujas are performed according to Agamic traditions. Apart from daily worship, special pujas, Abhishekam, and Aaradhanas are grandly celebrated on important days like Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, and Vinayagar Chaturthi. During these festivals, large numbers of devotees gather to worship and receive divine blessings, enhancing the temple’s spiritual ambiance.
The Arulmigu Anandavalli Sametha Agastheeswarar Temple in Kolapakkam is open from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM and again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Devotees should note that timings may vary on special and festival days.
How to Reach Agastheeswarar Temple?
The Agastheeswarar Temple in Kolapakkam can be reached via Mount-Poonamallee Road (turn left at Ramavaram signal and proceed via Manapakkam to Kolapakkam – approximately 3 km). Alternatively, take the Porur-Kundrathur Road via Gerugambakkam. It’s about 4 km from Porur signal. The temple is approximately 13 km from Koyambedu Bus Stand and 20 km from Chennai Central.
For contact: +91 9444321725 (Sankar Gurukkal).
Arulmigu Anandavalli Sametha Agastheeswarar Temple,
Sivan Kovil Street, Kolapakkam, Kundrathur,
Chennai – 600128.
