Moolavar: Sri Agastheesvarar
Amman: Sri Ananda Valli
A Temple that dates back a 1000 years old, Pancheshti had got its name from Pancha Ishti. Pancha means 5 and Ishti means Yagna means Penance which is performed to get some wish fulfilled.
According to legend, Once the three sages Vasishtar,Gauthamar and Kalvar were looking for a place to do their penance. They went to Brahma and requested him to show them such a place. Brahma then made a wheel made of dharba grass and rolled it. It rolled and rested in a place and Brahma indicated that particular place is good for them to perform their penanace. The place indicated by Brahma is beleived to be this Pancheshti.
Panch meaning five and ishti means Yagna. As per legends, there was a 'Yatchan' (demon king) called Sukethu, who was cursed by Lord Subramanya to be born as an Asura, for showing his arrogance towards Shiva and Parvathy. Sukethu later married an Asura woman and gave birth to three boys. These boys who came to know about the curse of the father, did a penance towards Goddess Parvathi and became powerful. They then started teasing the devas with their strength. Devas then went and complained to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva directed Sage Agastiyar to teach a lesson to Sukethu. Meanwhile Sukethu after losing a battle with three asuras went and hid under the sea. Sukethu's sons went in search of his father deep into the sea thus destroying the sea lives and creating a lot of commotion. Sage Agastiyar to curb the mischievous sons of Sukethu, drank all the sea thus trapping the three sons and Sukethu in his stomach. The earth became dry and Devas pleaded to restore the sea. Sage Agastya restored the sea by spitting the sea back in its place.He also spat some remaining water in his mouth in Pancheshti and the pond here in the temple is known as 'Agasthya Theertham'.
Sukethu and his sons pleaded to Sage Agasthya to pardon them and releive them of their curse. To get him relieved of the curse, Sage Agasthiyar performed about 5 yagnas called Deva Yaagam, Brahma Yaagam, Bhootha Yaagam, Pithur Yaagam and Manusha Yaagam here. Hence this place got its name Pancha Ishti which later became as Pancheshti and now colloquially called Panchetti.
The Goddess here is ambal Sri Anandhavalli, who is seen in standing posture facing south. She is made of 'Margatham stone' (Emerald) and is three eyed and considered powerful. She has her left foot forward depicting that she is the destroyer of evil 'Chathru Samhaari' . It is beleived that worshipping her eliminates all the evil forces and hurdles in devotees' life.
Though the main deity is Shiva more importance is given to Ambaal Anandavalli. The sculptures in the Raaja Gopuram face the Ambaal. The Navagrahas sculpted on the other side face towards Ambaal. Lord Saneeshwara is seen with Eagle as his Vahanaa instead of crow.
Though the lord faces east, the entrance to the temple to have a darshan of the lord is from the south. These types of temples with south entrances are called parihara sthalams. The walls of Raja Gopuram of this temple, carries hundreds of sculptures which are a feast to watch. Though this is a Shiva temple, the sculptures of Vaishnava concepts are given equal importance here. The entire walls of RajaGopuram, have sculptures connected to incidents from all the 4 Yugas.
Contact: Kandan Gurukkal @9962570445 or the temple office @93823 16493
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