Thursday, October 12, 2017

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Poonthottam, Thiruvarur

Agastheeshwarar Temple, Poonthottam, Thiruvarur
Agastheeshwarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Poonthottam in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Diety is called as Agastheeshwarar and Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini. The temple is in Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur main road itself and is considered as a "Guru Sthalam".





Legends
The Theertham here is said to have been created by Varuna (one of the Ashtathik Balagas – Kubera, Vayu, Varuna, Nirudhi, Mrithyu, Agni, Indra, Brahmasthan) and hence the name is Varuna Theertham.





The Temple
This is a small and old east facing temple with entrance on the west. Presiding Diety is called as Agastheeshwarar and is facing east. Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini and is facing south. Dakshinamurthy is seen here sitting on top of the 12 Zodiac signs with his hand on the Rishaba vaahana. He is called as Mandala Rasi Gurubagavan. Hence this temple is considered as a Guru Sthalam. Shrines for Ganesha, Muruga, Gajalakshmi, Navagraha, Surya, Chandran, Durga and Dakshinamurthy can be seen in the prakaram. Theertham associated with this temple is Varuna Theertham. There is an Ayyanar Temple adjacent to this Temple.




Festivals
Daily during Guru hora, special poojas are done in this temple. Thursdays are also very special. Local people says that this temple is equivalent to Alangudi. 
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Poonthottam Railway Station and 1 Km from Poonthottam Bus Stop. Poonthottam is located at about 40 Kms from Nagapattinam, 20 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 21 Kms from Thiruvarur, 40 Kms from Kumbakonam, 8 Kms from Sirupuliyur, 5 Kms from Thirumeyachur, 11 Kms from Thiruveezhimizhalai, 5 Kms from Mudikondan, 14 Kms from Thiruppugalur, 11 Kms from Thirupampuram, 80 Kms from Thanjavur and 134 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Poonthottam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.