Agastheeswarar Villiwakkam

Saivite Temples, Chennai District

God

Agastheeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Swarnambigai, facing south

Other Gods

Outer Prakaram – Naagar, Lingams, Navagraha. Inner Prakaram – Surya, Chandran, Nandikeswara, Naalvar, Ganesha, Somaskanda, Palani Andavar, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Muruga with consorts, Nataraja, Bhairava. Niches in sanctum – Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga

Agastheeswarar Villiwakkam is a large temple with 2 Prakarams and a solid entrance gateway in the southern side. The sanctum sanctorum of the Lord is in the form of a Gajaprashtam (reclining elephant). The walls of both the Prakarams are about 12 feet high. The outer Prakaram has several idols of Naagar and Lingams in a row on the northern side and the Navagrahas. There is a large temple tank opposite the temple in the east. There is a separate shrine outside for Veerabhadra in the south where you see Daksha bowing to him. Badhrakali is present in the outer mantap. The shrine of Nagathamman under a Peepal Tree is also near the entrance gateway in the south. There are also several Naagar idols here along with Ganesha under the cool shade of the tree. The ancient name of the place was Vilwaranyam. There used to be lot of Vilwa trees here, hence Vilwa Vanam (forest), which got corruputed to Villiwakkam over time.

Holy water (Theertham) – Angaraka Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Agastheeswarar Villiwakkam has several stone inscriptions in the walls of the inner prakaram and belongs to the Chola period.

Mythology

Angaraka (Mars), to get relief from a curse, bathed in the tank here and worshiped the Lord. The god and goddess gave darshan to Sage Agastya here in their marriage attire with the goddess wearing a lot of gold (swarnam) ornaments, hence she is called Swarnambikai here. Sage Agastya is said to have killed two demons Vilvalan and Vatapi who disturbed his penance here. To rid himself of Brahmahatodosha (curse incurred from Brahma for killing people) he worshiped the lord here who in turn deputed Veerabadhra to prevent any further disturbance to the Sage. The lord is also named as Agastheeswarar since he was worshiped by Sage Agastya.

Directions

Agastheeswarar Villiwakkam is opposite and near the Villiwakkam Bus Terminus. Parking is available near the temple gateway at the south.

Stay and Food

Chennai has many hotels and restaurants across all tiers. Velachery bypass road has many restaurants.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples