Ettiathali Agastheeswarar Temple where Rahu & Kethu
changed places
Ettiathali Agastheeswarar Temple
The temple got the name Agastheeswar temple because the
Lord Siva was worshiped by Sage – Muni Agasthya. The idol is a swayamboo (self
originated) Ling (symbol of Lord Siva). The name of the consort of the Lord
here is Akilandeswari.
Unique features of Agastheeswarar Temple
In the Navagrahas installations Lord Sani (Saturn) was installed in such a way
that he is visible to the Agastheeswar (main deity) which is a rare case in any temple. One more unique feature in this temple is that
Rahu is installed on the right side of Lord Saniswar and Kethu is on to the
left. Normally in all the Navagraha temples the positions of Rahu and Kethu
will be in reverse meaning Rahu will be to the left and Kethu to the right of
Lord Saniswar. Another uniqueness in this temple is Goddess Akila also known as
Navagraha Nayaki is installed near to Navagrahas. Because of this the
Navagrahas here are considered to be very powerful.
Benefits
of visiting the temple
By offering proper worship in the temple Kalathra Dosha and Sani Dosha
can be relieved. Worship here can cure the Griha Doshaas caused by the unfavorable
positions of Sani, Rahu & Kethu in the horoscopes of people.
Legends about Agastheeswar temple
As the name suggests the temple is dedicated to Lord Eswar
– Siva. There is a
reference about this temple in the Puranas. The reference is t the effect that Sage
Agasthya while traveling from Kasi (Varanasi – Banaras) to Rameswaram. On the
way he used to be doing his daily Siva Pooja at the place he halts. When he
came to Ettaithali village it was late. He performed the pooja for the night
and stayed back at the temple there. On that occasion it so happened the King
Kalingarayan was also there on pilgrimage after his worshiping Lord Siva at Rameswaram
and Lord Saniswar at Thirunaalaru to get relief from his ‘Sade saathi’ (Ashtma
Sani – Sani dasa – Saturn aspect) as per his astrologers suggestion. On his way
the king came to Ettaithali. There the King met Sage Agasthya and sought the
sage’s suggestion for relief from the grip of the Sani period in the king’s
life. The sage suggested the king to build a temple to the Swayamboo Linga of
Lord Siva and also install Navagrahas (9 planets) also. Accordingly the King
Kalingarayan built the temple and installed the Navagrahas. The consort of Lord
Siva in this temple is called as goddess Akilandeswari. She is in a separate shrine
near to the main deity Agastheeswar. Near
to the Navagrahas there is another idol of the goddess by the name goddess
Akila.
There is a legend that Lord Siva had Kalathra Dosha. This Dosha was
removed on the Sage Agasthya worshiping the Lord. On this removal of the Dosha
the sage (Muni) the sage installed the idol of the goddess Akilandeswari near
to the main sanctum.
The Ettiathali Agastheeswarar Temple is estimated to be
of more than 2000 years old.
Location of the
temple
Agastheeswarar temple is in the village Ettiathali, around 8 km from Aranthangi town in Pudukittai District of Tamilnad in South India.
