Agastheeswara Temple, Chilamakuru, Andhra Pradesh

Agastheeswara Temple, Chilamakuru, Andhra Pradesh

Agastheeswara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Chilamakuru village in Yerraguntla Mandal in Kadapa District in Andhra Pradesh, India. This temple is one of the architecturally important temples because it is considered as one of the 11 major apsidal (Gajabrusta) Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh.

History

The temple is said to have been constructed in 8^th century CE. Chilamakuru was called as Chirumburu, Chirumburi, Sirumura, Chiramakuru, Muthyala Chilmukuri and Chiluma Agrahara during ancient times. The word Chilamakuru is said to have been derived from the words Chirumbu (small) and Uru (village).

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by four pillars. The maha mandapa is square on plan and enclosed by walls on all sides with a doorway on the eastern wall. The doorjambs of the doorway has three bands of decoration with creeper motifs, lotus patterns and pilasters.

Dvarapalas can be seen at the bottom portion of the door jamb. An image of Gajalakshmi can be seen on the lintel.  The maha mandapa is supported by 16 pillars. The four central pillars are intricately carved with beautiful sculptures like Ananda Sayana Vishnu, Narasimha, Nataraja, Manmatha, Kiratarjuna etc. The ceiling of the maha mandapa consists of a lotus medallion in the centre.

The sanctum is apsidal externally and measures 21 feet in length and 16.5 feet in width. The interior of the sanctum is oblong in shape and 13.5 feet in length and 9 feet in breadth. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Agastheeswara within circular yonipitha. The doorjambs of the sanctum are plain. The external walls and base are plain.

Ganapathy shrine is situated to the south of mukha mandapa. This shrine is facing towards north. This shrine has apsidal sanctum measuring 8.5 feet in length, 7.5 feet in breadth and 10.5 feet in height. The sikhara has a semicircular gable facing in the front. Naga Idols, broken Nandis, Trisula stones and Inscriptional slabs can be found in the temple premises.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 500 metres from Chilamakuru Road Junction Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Kalamalla Railway Station, 7 Kms from Yerraguntla, 8 Kms from Yerraguntla Junction Railway Station, 11 Kms from Muddanur, 47 Kms from Kadapa, 60 Kms from Tadipatri, 116 Kms from Anantapur, 182 Kms from Tirupati Airport and 187 Kms from Tirupati. The temple is situated on Kadapa to Tadipatri route.

Location