Panjetty Shiva Temple

Panjetty Agastheeswarar Temple Near Thatchoor

Pancheshti is a very small village near Thatchoor located on Chennai Kolkota highway, about 30 kms from Chennai. 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.

The main God of this temple is Lord Shiva known as Agastheeswarar and Goddess as Akilandeswari Ambal, From the main entrance Shiva sannidhi is visible straight ahead and to the right , Akilandeswari sannidhi is present. Lakshmi Narayana Perumal temple is another small temple located adjacent to this shiva temple.

According to legend, there lived a demon king called Sukethu, who along with his family suffered some 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 changed to become Pancheshti and now Panchetti.

It is said that Sage Agasthiyar stayed here for long and worshipped Lord Shiva and also helped the Devas like Lord Indra, Indrani (Indra’s wife) and Viswaroopan to get relieved of their curses, by performing Pradhosha Poojas.

The Lord here is a Swayambhu (self evolved) Lingam, which is said to be existed even before the arrival of Sage Agasthiyar here. As Agasthiyar worshipped here, the Lord here is called Sri Agatheeswarar. The Theertham (Pond) here is called as Agasthiya Theertham. Goddess Anandavalli with 3 eyes and keeping her left foot forward - Beneath her feet is the most famous "Durga Saptashati" yantra. Here the Goddess has taken a fierce form to destroy the evil.

Pancheshti  - Sri Agastheeswarar Temple பஞ்சேஷ்டி அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Agastheesvarar (அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர்)
Goddess Name	Sri  Ananda Valli
Location	Panchetti / Pancheshti  in Chennai - Kolkata Highway
Old Names	Pancha Ishti
Theertham	Agasthiya Theertham
Significance	Parihara Sthalam
Ancient	1000 Years
Travel Base	Chennai

The walls of Raja Gopuram of this temple, carries hundreds of sculptures which are feast to watch. Though this is a Shiva temple, the sculptures of Vaishnava concepts are given equal importance here. The entire walls of Raja Gopuram, have sculptures connected to incidents from all the 4 Yugas. 

 It is one of the best Ancient Temples in south India You Should Visit to explore the spirituality and Dravidian architecture.

How To Reach : Panchetti Shiva temple is located close to Thatchoor in Chennai Kolkota highway, about 30 kms from Chennai. After crossing Red Hills and Karanodai on the highway, you have to take a right turn to enter this village. The temple is just 500 meters off the highway. Local Buses are available from Ponneri and Redhills .

Near By Temples :

Siruvapuri Bala Murugan Temple