Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman Temple, Veerakeralampudur,
Thirunelveli
Vadakku
Vasal Selvi Amman Temple is located at Veerakeralampudur Village in Thirunelveli
District of Tamilnadu. The village is surrounded by two rivers Chittar
River and Hanumanathi. Both Hanumanathi and Chittar River merges rightly
exactly in this village thus forming the major tributary to Thamirabarani River.
Legends
Vadakku
Vasal Selvi Amman is one of the famous village deities. It is believed to be a
form of Ambika and Kali. According to the Ramayana, Rishi Gautama once went to take bath in the river
Ganges early morning. The king of the Devas, Indra, was fascinated with Gautama’s wife, Ahalya. Indra came
in the form of Gautama and made love to Ahalya. As he was escaping, he was
caught by Rishi Gautama who was returning to the Ashramam from his bath. Gautama
cursed Ahalya and Indra both for this act. Ahalya was converted to stone, while
Indra was cursed with one thousands of female genitalia (Sahasrayoni).
Later,
taking pity on both, Gautama converted both these curses. Indra curse was
converted to thousands of eyes he came to be known as Sahasraksha. As for
Ahalya, Gautama granted her the boon that she would be liberated by the touch
of the feet of Lord Rama (Lord Vishnu). To get rid of sin, he came down to
earth and reached Arjunapuri (Kadayanallur) Sthalam and he consecrated two
Shiva Lingas namely Neelamani Nathar and Arunachaleswarar and worshipped these
Lingas. Then he installed Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman in Northern side and
created a pond in north eastern side. Indra got rid of his sin by worshipping
these Shiva Lingas and Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman.
The
Temple
Vadakku
Vasal Selvi Amman Temple is located on the Northern Side of the Village. Selvi
Amman graces in the form of Bhadrakali Amman and Neelakandeswari graces in the
form of Sakthi. She is also called as Uthradwara Palini. Both the shrines are
located opposite to each other. She is holding Trishula and Vibhoothi Bowl in
her hands. Shrines for Ganapathy, Nagars, Bhairava and Karupusamy are located
in the Temple. Thala Vriksham is Neem Tree. Theertham is Chitraru River. The
Temple is believed to be 500 years old.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 9 AM to 11 AM in the morning and 4 PM to 7 PM in the
evening.
Connectivity
Veerakeralampudur is
located at about 22 Kms from Tenkasi, 30 Kms from Courtrallam, 30 Kms from
Sengottai, 48 Kms from Thirunelveli, 170 Kms from Madurai and 130 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tenkasi. Nearest
Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.
