Agasteeswarar, Agasthiyan Palli, Nagapattinam

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Agasteeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Mangai Nayaki, BagampiriyaaL
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	AgatthiyaanpaLLi
Vriksham:	Vanni	Teertham:	Agastya Teertham, Agni Teertham (Sea)
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 11 & 4 to 8.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Agasthiyan Palli	District:	Nagapattinam
Maps from (click):	Current location	Nagapattinam (55.3 km)	Tiruvarur (64.9 km)
	Kumbakonam (103 km)	Mayiladuthurai (105.7 km)

Location

Agasthiyan Palli is located 2km south of Vedaranyam, on the way to Kodikkarai.

Sthala puranam and temple information

This temple is one of many connected with Siva’s marriage to Parvati. Since all the Devas were in Kailasam for the wedding ceremonies, the northern part of Bharata Khandam tilted down, while the southern part rose. To balance this out, Siva asked Agastyar to go south. Agastyar complied, and in order to worship Lord Siva, installed or consecrated existing swayambhu Lingams at various places and prayed to them. At many of these places, he was given a vision of the divine wedding of Siva and Parvati – this temple is one of them. Since this temple was installed by Agastyar, the Lord here is called Agasteeswarar.

Agastyar has a separate shrine inside the temple, facing west, while Siva – a swayambhu Lingam – faces east. Mangai Nayaki Amman (also known as Bagam Piriyaal) faces south. Amongst others, Yama is said to have worshipped at this temple.

Interestingly, unlike the typical agamic orientation, the Navagrahams all face the same direction.

This is a temple from the medieval Chola period, and has inscriptions that refer to Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola and Kulothunga Chola. There are also references to Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiyan (late 13^th to early 14^th century) in the inscriptions, including his illness and subsequent cure after worshipping at this temple.

Other information for your visit

Locally, this temple is referred to as Agastyar Koil, and it is sign-posted in that way as well, on the main road.

Vedaranyam, the nearest town, does not have much by way of accommodation facilities (some limited food outlets are available). Nagapattinam (50km) and Mannargudi (65km) offer some budget accommodation, and some budget and mid-range resorts on the stretch between Nagapatinam and Velankanni.