Venguneswarar
Temple, Vengundram,
Thiruvannamalai
Venguneswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the top of Thavalagiri Hill in Vengundram Village near Vandavasi Town in Vandavasi Taluk in Thiruvannamalai District in Tamil Nadu. This temple is situated at the top of a 1500 feet high hill.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/02/venguneswarar-temple-vengundram-legends.html
History
The temple is believed to have been built during Pallavas. There are about two inscriptions found in this hill. There is an 8th century inscription dated to the third regnal year of Nandivarma Pallava in a rock near the temple. It talks about the Grama Sabha of Vengundram Village. There is another inscription dated to Vijayanagara period can be seen in this hill. This inscription is bilingual containing Telegu inscription in one side and Sanskrit inscription on the other side. It records the grants and renovations made to the temple.
The Temple
This temple is located at the top of a 1500 feet high hill called Thavalagiri. The hill top can be accessed through flight of steps but most of the path doesn’t have proper steps. Shrines of Sangothi Amman, Pachai Amman and Vazh Muni can be seen on the path. This temple is facing towards east. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapam. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found in the Mukha Mandapam facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Thavalagireeswarar / Venguneswarar and is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. His consort, Parvathy is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. There are shrines for Vinayagar, Murugan and Annamalaiyar in the lower level from the sanctum. Theerthams associated with this temple are Kumara Theertham, Vyasa Theertham and Indra Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Kanni Vilwam.
This hill might have housed a fort in ancient times. Traces of ancient fortifications can be seen in this hill. There is a rumour that the hill had a secret underground tunnel connecting the hill with Vandavasi fort and Gingee fort. There are no traces of it currently. This hill is rich in herbal plants and the importance of the hill is praised in Kanchi Puranam written by Sivagnana Munivar in 18th century CE.
Festivals
Karthigai Deepam is the famous
festival celebrated here. During this festival, Bharani Deepam will be lit at
4.00 am in Kailasanathar temple at the foot hill. Karthigai Deepam will be lit
on hill top at 6.00 pm. It is said that this Deepam will be visible to 10 Kms.
This Deepam will be continue for 3 days. Monthly Pradoshams are also observed
here.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 4
Kms from Thennangur, 5 Kms from Vandavasi, 5 Kms from Vandavasi Old Bus Stand,
6 Kms from Vandavasi New Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Cheyyar, 37 Kms from Melmaruvathur
Railway Station, 80 Kms from Thiruvannamalai and 94 Kms from Chennai Airport.
Vengundram is situated on Vandavasi to Thennangur route.