Agasteeswarar, Kuzhaiyur, Nagapattinam

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Agasteeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Abhirami
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	10 to 10.30 & 5 to 6.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Vaippu Sthalam	–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Kuzhaiyur	District:	Nagapattinam
Maps from (click):	Current location	Mayiladuthurai (10 km)	Kumbakonam (30 km)
	Tiruvarur (35 km)	Nagapattinam (50 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

This Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam finds mention in one of the Tiruthandagams of Appar.

The sthala puranam of this temple is connected with Sage Agastyar and the demons Vatapi and Ilvala. The two demons had a penchant for killing brahmins and sages, in a unique way. Vatapi would take the form of a goat and Ilvala would cook it for the brahmins. Once they had eaten, Ilvala would call out to Vatapi, who would then come out, tearing the stomachs of those who had feasted, effectively killing them. When they tried this with Agastyar, before Ilvala could call out to Vatapi, the sage, said a mantra which digested the food. Ilvala, upset with the outcome, tried to charge the sage, but was also put to death for his efforts.

After vanquishing them, the stain of killing stuck to Agastyar, who wanted to get rid of the sin. So he worshipped Siva as Vedapureeswarar at Therazhundur, and came here as well. Since he worshipped Siva here, the Lord is named Agasteeswarar. Since the sage’s actions in killing the demons was for a good cause, he was blessed by Siva and Parvati, and they again showed him their kalyana kolam here.

Today, the temple presents a rather pitiable sight, effectively as a single room, inside which are housed shrines for Agasteeswarar facing east, and Abhirami Amman facing south. The temple has no gopuram. In the prakaram are shrines for Vinayakar, Murugan, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, and Bhairavar. The nearby Varadaraja Perumal temple serves as the Perumal shrine of this temple.