Agasteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Agasteeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Soundarya Nayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Chaturvedi Mangalam
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):	1000-2000
Timing:	8 to 10 & 5 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Vaippu Sthalam	–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Manakkal Ayyampet	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tiruvarur (9 km)	Kumbakonam (32 km)
	Nagapattinam (38 km)	Mayiladuthurai (39 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

This Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam finds mention in one of the Tiruthandagams of Appar, where the saint sings about Peruvelur (the nearby Abhimukteeswarar temple at Manakkal Ayyampet) and Tiruvarur Thyagarajar. It is believed that Appar may have visited this temple also, though there is no evidence to support this directly.

According to one of many stories on the Siva-Parvati wedding, Parvati undertook penance at Peruvelur, in order to be reunited with Siva. They eventually married at Karaiveeram.

Manakkal gets its name from the pandakkal (wood or other pillar erected to support decorations, at a home, prior to a wedding). This town was also called Chaturvedi Mangalam, indicating it was an area allocated for vedic scholars, who had read the four (chatur) vedas. According to one story, the priests from this place officiated at the wedding of Siva and Parvati.

This is also regarded as one of the places where sage Agastyar worshipped Siva and Parvati and was given a vision of their celestial wedding (kalyana kolam). This is the reason for the Lord’s name at this temple.

This temple, over 1000 years old, dates back to the medieval Chola period, though it is not clear as to under which ruler specifically it was built. Based on the architecture – which is simple yet very elegant – this may be one of the earlier temples of the medieval Chola time, given the absence of major work on the walls and pillars, and koshtams. The moolavar Lingam has a tall banam. After the wedding, Parvati stayed in the andhapuram (ladies’ chamber) at nearby Raa Patteechuram, before proceeding to Kailasam the following morning, and hence She is enshrined there separately as Andhapura Nayaki. A vegetable-dye fresco inside the maha mandapam depicts Natarajar and Sivakami Amman, being worshipped by Patanjali, Vyaghrapada, and others. There are other similar artworks inside the mandapam and at the entrance to the garbhagriham.

Due to its association with the Siva-Parvati wedding, this is a prarthana sthalam for those seeking to get married, and those wanting to beget children.

Other information for your visit

Being a small temple, puja is conducted only once a day. However, Ms Thyageswari is a devout lady, who lives in the house opposite the main entrance of the temple, and is always eager to show visitors around.

On a 4km stretch of road between Kumbakonam and Tiruvarur where this temple is located, there are several large and small temples. Of these, 7 important temples (primarily Paadal Petra Sthalams, Divya Desams or Vaippu Sthalams) are:

Bhaktavatsala Perumal, Tirukannamangai, Tiruvarur

Dharmapureeswarar, Vadakandam, Tiruvarur

Brahmapureeswarar, Karaveeram, Tiruvarur

Agasteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur

Seshapureeswarar, Raa Patteeswaram, Tiruvarur

Vaikunta Narayana Perumal, Deepapuram, Tiruvarur

Abhi mukteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur