Koyilnet

Abodes of Shiva

 Arulmigu Anandavalli sameda Agastheeswarar Temple, Kolappakkam

 

Mulavar   Agastheeswarar
Ambal   Anandavalli
Kshethram    
Direction   Temple facing south, Lord facing east and Lordess facing south
Vimanam    
Theertham   Amirtha Pushkarani
Sthala Vruksham   Arasa Maram
Travel Base   Chennai
Continent   Thondai
Circle   Nandambakkam
District   Kancheepuram
State   Tamil Nadu

Location

Kolappaakkam is located at about 18 kms from Chennai. One can take the road from diagonally opposite to MIOT Hospitals off. Mount Poonamallee Road, to reach Kolappaakkam. Alternatively, one can also go from Porur via Gerugambaakkam and reach Kolappaakkam.

History

This temple is said to be over 1300 years old. According to legend, Sri Surya Bhagavan had worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. Sri Surya Bhagavan has a separate shrine inside this temple facing the Lord towards west. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai devoted to Sri Surya Bhagavan. The Sun God is given prominence in this temple, where all important deities of the temples are facing Surya Bhagavan shrine. There is a separate shrine for Lord Ganesha called Raja Ganapathy here. Also, Sri Kaasi Viswanathar and Sri Visaalakshi have separate shrines facing east at the south west portion of the temple. Lord Subramanyar also has a shrine in the temple in which a Maragatha Mayil (Peacock made of green granite) is found.

Sri Kaala Bhairavar is very popular in this temple and is said to be more powerful. Special Poojas and Abishegams are performed to Sri Kaala Bhairavar every Sunday during Raahu Kaalam (4.30 pm to 6 pm) timings. It is said that people worshipping Sri Bhairavar here for 6 consecutive Sundays, get their wishes fulfilled.

Architecture

This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Surya Bhagavan (Sun God). Many kings have patronized this temple during various periods. A king called Aadhithyan is said to have done renovations to the temple during 878 AD. Also Raja Raja Chozha I, Raja Raja Chozha II (1152 AD), Kulothunga Chozha III (1188 AD), Sundara Pandiyan (1200 AD), Veera Rajendra Chozha, a Telugu Chozha king called Vijayakanda Gopala are said to have contributed much to the temple, according to the inscriptions found in the temple. A king by name Sri Vijaya Maharaja of Sumatra Island (Indonesia) is said to have gifted 250 Kuzhi (in Thamizh is an unit to measure lands) of lands to Sri Agatheeswarar at Kolappaakkam, during the 8th year of his reign.