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Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Kumbamuni Mangalam, Ponneri, Tamil Nadu

Kumbamuni Mangalam is situated on the outskirts of Ponneri Town in Thiruvallur District. The full name of the Temple is Sri Anandavalli Samedha Sri Agastheeswarar Temple. The Temple is situated in a residential locality and is built quite close to the Aranyam River. This is an East facing Temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram. Sri Agastheeswarar Temple in Kumbhamuni Mangalam is located a few meters away from the main road. Opposite to the Rajagopuram there is a huge multi pillared known as Theerthavari Mandapam which is built very close to the Temple's Pushkarani or Sacred Tank. This is an East facing Temple and just before the Rajagopuram is a Sub Shrine on the left which is also East facing. In this Sub Shrine Sri Attrangarai Vinayagar is seen and facing this Deity is a small Neivedhya Peedam and a Moonjur Vaahanam. At the threshold of this Sub Shrine are two coloured Dwara Baalaka Idols who stand guard. On entering the Temple there is a tall Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram, a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam in a four pillared Mandapam facing West towards the Moolasthanam. The Maha Mandapam consists of multiple pillars and on the base of one of these pillars is embossed an Anjaneya Swamy Idol which is East facing. Normally He is Garlanded with Vetrilai Malai or Betal Garland and there are many Devotees who come to Him and Pray. A part of the Maha Mandapam has been converted as a Yaaga Saalai to perform Homam, Yaagam etc. To the right is an enclosure in which the Vaahanams of this Temple are stacked.

The top of the entrance leading to the Moolasthanam has a coloured Idol of Sri Anandavalli Ambal, Sri Agastheeswarar as a Shiva Lingam and Sage Agasthiyar standing. At the doorsteps of the Moolasthanam are two East facing Dwara Baalakas who stand guard. Flanking the Dwara Baalaka Idols on either sides are the Idols of Sri Dwara Ganapathy and Sri Palani Aandavar. Facing the Moolasthanam is another small Nandhi Vaahanam. In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Agastheeswarar who is considered as an incanation of God Shiva is in the form of a Shiva Lingam. He looks Sublime to the eyes of His Devotees. Close to the Dwara Ganapathy is an Idol of Sri Nagalingeshwarar. Around the Koshtam of the Moolavar are the Idols of Narthana Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahmma, Durgai and Chandikeshwarar. The rear of the Moolavar Sannadhi has been splendidly designed in the Gajabrustam style resembling the rear of an Elephant. The Ambal is known as Sri Anandavalli Ambal and he Ambal's Shrine is also East facing and She is seen in a standing posture. There are two Dwara Baalaki Idols along with two Lion Idols on either side of the doorsteps of Her Moolasthanam. Since the Shrine of the Ambal is to the right of the Moolavar's Sannadhi the Ambal is known as Valam Konda Nayagi. It means that the Ambal is offering Pooja to Sri Agastheeswarar from His right side. The History behind this Temple is that Shiva cursed Parvathy when She was in a playful mood. Hence according to the curse Sri Anandavalli who born in Kumba Raasi performed Pooja for Shivan on the advice of Sage Agasthiyar. Therefore the Shrine of Sri Anandavalli Ambal is situated to the right of the Moolavar so as to enable Her to perform the Pooja.

In the inner peripheral there is a North facing Sub Shrine of Naalvar comprising of the Idols of Thirugnana Sammandhar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. The inner peripheral has an East facing Sub Shrines of Sannadhi Vinayagar, Two Naagars, Gnana Poonkothai, Kalahastheeswarar as a Shiva Lingam, Abithakujambal, Vinayagar and Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar. The same inner peripheral has South facing Sub Shrines of two Ganapathis and two Naga Devathas. There is a West facing Sub Shrine of Sri Veerabadrar who seem to look towards the Sub Shrine of Sri Subramaniyar.

The Temple's outer peripheral has a Temple Kitchen or Madapalli. The outer peripheral has a Navagraha Sannadhi and before entering this Navagraha Sannadhi there is a small Vinayagar Idol outside this Sannadhi. All the Navagrahams are found in this Sub Shrine along with their Vaahanams. Though the Madapalli or Temple Kitchen is located within the Temple premises the Annadhana Koodam meant for the sake of the Devotees is located close to the Rajagopuram and Sri Attrangarai Vinayagar Sannadhi. The Temple has a huge Pushkarani or Temple Tank which is named as Sri Agasthiya Theertham and the Aaranya River is said to be the other Theertham. The Temple has a huge Nandavanam and it could be improved too. The massive compound wall of the Temple is a sense of great security. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri, Maha Shivarathiri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: Pranatharthihara Gurukkal 94444 04860 and Muthulakshmi Flower Shop 84388 90250

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 4.30 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Thiruvottiyur to Ponneri is 30 Kms

Distance from Siruvapuri to Ponneri is 13 Kms

Distance from Devadanam to Ponneri is 8 Kms

Distance from Avadi to Ponneri is 43 Kms

Distance from Thirumazhisai to Ponneri is 46 Kms

Distance from Ambattur to Ponneri is 33 Kms

Distance from Sriperumbudur to Ponneri is 65 Kms

Distance from Periyapalayam to Ponneri is 20 Kms

Distance from Thiruvallur or Tiruvallur to Ponneri is 55 Kms

Distance from Thirupachur to Ponneri is 55 Kms