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According to legend, Sri Surya Bhagavan had worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. Sri Surya Bhagavan has a separate shrine inside this temple facing the Lord towards west. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai devoted to Sri Surya Bhagavan. The Sun God is given prominence in this temple, where all important deities of the temples are facing Surya Bhagavan shrine.

The color of Vasthram (clothing) meant for Sri Surya Bhagavan is Red. The Dhaanyam (grain) dedicated to Him is Wheat and the auspicious day to worship Sri Surya Bhagavan is Sunday. Worshipping Sri Surya Bhagavan on Sunday, by offering red cloth, red flowers and wheat gives success to one in all his deeds. Also, it is said that worshipping Sun God makes one gain the Thejas. It is said that, apart from Surya Bhagavan, Sage Agasthiyar too had worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Sri Agatheeswarar. Another Rishi called Vaakeesa Muni also had worshipped Sri Agatheeswarar here.

Other deities like Sri Ganesha, Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Durgai and Sri Sandigeswarar are seen around the sanctum.There is a separate shrine for Lord Ganesha called Raja Ganapathy here. Also, Sri Kaasi Viswanathar and Sri Visaalakshi have separate shrines facing east at the south west portion of the temple. Lord Subramanyar also has a shrine in the temple in which a Maragatha Mayil (Peacock made of green granite) is found.

Sri Kaala Bhairavar is very popular in this temple and is said to be more powerful. Special Poojas and Abishegams are performed to Sri Kaala Bhairavar every Sunday during Raahu Kaalam (4.30PM to 6PM) timings. It is said that people worshipping Sri Bhairavar here for 6 consecutive Sundays, get their wishes fulfilled.

Many kings have patronized this temple during various periods. A king called Aadhithyan is said to have done renovations to the temple during 878 AD.

Also Raja Raja Chozha I, Raja Raja Chozha II (1152 AD), Kulothunga Chozha III (1188 AD), Sundara Pandiyan (1200 AD), Veera Rajendra Chozha, a Telugu Chozha king calledVijayakanda Gopala are said to have contributed much to the temple, according to the inscriptions found in the temple.

According to another inscription, a king by name Sri Vijaya Maharaja of Sumatra Island (Indonesia) is said to have gifted 250 Kuzhi in (Thamizh is an unit to measure lands) of lands to Sri Agatheeswarar at Kolappaakkam, during the 8th year of his reign. Inscriptions reveal that Sri Vijaya Maharaja was contemporary to Raja Raja Chozha and also had very cordial relationship with the then Chozha kingdom. The inscription also gives details about some Buddhist activities nearby this temple and Sri Vijaya Maharaja was a Buddhist.

In the recent past, the ASI have explored the area and found ruins of a Buddhist shrine near the temple. A couple of Buddha statues and pillars were discovered near this temple, which is kept in the street sides of the temple. A carving of Lord Ganesha is also found on one of these pillars. Archeologists predict that Sri Vijaya Maharaja, who visited the Buddhist temple at Kolappaakkam, could have also visited Agatheeswarar temple and made donations to the temple.

Kolappaakkam is located at about 18 kms from Chennai. Mount Poonamallee Road, to reach Kolappaakkam. Alternatively, one can also go from Porur via Gerugambaakkam and reach Kolapakkam. Gerugambakkam which is the neighbouring village and site of one of the other eight navagraha temples.

The famous Navagraha Sthalam of Suryan (Sun God) in South India is the Suryanar Temple in Thanjavur district. In Chennai the Kolapakkam Agastheeswarar Temple is the Suryan Sthalam.

Agastheeswarar Temple is one of the ancient temples of India and this temple is dedicated to planet sun. Kolappaakkam has a beautiful Shiva temple where the main deity is Sri Agatheeswarar (also called Sri Vaakeesa Mahadhevar) and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli.Sri Agatheeswarar temple is one of the navgraha temple in kolapakkam and this temple is the surya parihara sthalam.

This temple is said to be over 1300 years old. The temple is built facing south on a vast land. Sri Agatheeswarar is seen facing east. Ambaal Sri Aanandhavalli is facing south and is in standing posture. Nandhi is seen facing the Lord towards east.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is Arasa Maram (Peepul tree) and Theertham is called Amirtha Pushkarani which is found adjacent to the temple and is less maintained.

Special days like Pradhosham, Sivarathri etc., are celebrated well in this temple. Devotees throng from different parts of the city during such days. This wonderful temple with great significance is now coming to light gradually.

Temple Timings: Morning 7 AM to 11 AM

Evening 4 PM to 8 PM.

Timings subject to change on special days and important festival days.

Surya Moola Mantram: Aum hram hrim hraum sah suryaya namah.

Arulmigu Anandavalli Sametha Agastheeswarar Koil, Kolapakkam, Chennai 602122.

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Dont's:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.