Agastheeshwarar Temple, Vannivedu, Vellore
Agastheeshwarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Vannivedu in Vellore District
of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located on the northern bank of River Palaru. Presiding
Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar and Mother is called as Bhuvaneswari.
Legends
Shada Aranya Kshetrams:
Once, Goddess
Parvathy penanced at Kanchipuram (Prithvi Sthalam) which is one of
the Pancha Boodha Sthalam. Lord was pleased with her penance and married
her. Rishi’s and Devas from heaven came down to Kanchi, to
participate in the heavenly marriage of Lord Siva and Kamakshi
Ammai. The place was so crowded; Rishi’s who came to participate in the
marriage stayed in the forest near to Kanchipuram. They had to perform their daily
rituals unobstructed. Each one of them chose a place in the forest to worship
Lord Siva. All six places where they worshiped are known as Shada
Aranyam. Since Six Rishi’s worshiped Swayambu Lingam in these six places
it is considered holy to visit and worship Lord Siva here. The temples in these
places were big in size with Rajagopurams once. Agasthya Maharishi installed
and worshiped Lord Siva here for long period in sitting posture. Lord was
pleased and blessed him. There is a statue of Agasthya Maharishi in sitting
posture.
Agastheeshwarar:
Once,
Agasthiyar stayed in this place amidst Vanni Forest. He consecrated Lingam made
of Sand for his worship. Hence the
Lingam was worshipped by Sage Agasthya. It is called as Agastheeshwarar. Later,
a temple was built by the King who ruled this area.
Short Lingam:
The
Lingam was very short as it is believed it has been installed by Agasthya.
Fingerprints can be seen in the Lingam.
Saptha Rishis worshipping Mother during Pournami:
It is
believed that Saptha Rishis (Agasthya, Athri, Vashista, Kashyapa, Gouthama,
Bharadhwaja, Viswamithra and Jamadagni) are worshipping Mother Bhuvaneshwari
during Pournami. In view of this, Lahusandi Yaagam has been conducted on this
day on Mother Shrine. People believe that this Yaagam has been conducted by
Saptha Rishis itself. Devotees keep seven banana leaves with Neivethanam for
Saptha Rishis and worship them.
Vannivedu:
Once
this place was full of Vanni Trees, hence it was called as Vanni Kaadu. Later
it got corrupted to Vannivedu.
The
Temple
Agastheeshwarar
Temple is one of the Shada Aranya Kshetras representing the idol installed
by Sage Agastya. The Temple is facing east with newly built Rajagopuram. Main
Deity is Swayambu Lingam of sand known as Agastheeshwarar with his consort
known as Bhuvaneshwari / Akilandeswari. Lord is facing east and Mother is
facing south. Siva Lingam is small in size and finger prints can be seen on the
Lingam. Mother Bhuvaneshwari is housed on Avudaiyar (Peedam) in standing
posture.
She
appears as if she is mediating. Homams and Poojas are conducted to Mother
during Navarathri. Ashtathik Balagars are located in separate shrines facing
their respective directions in prakaram. There are also shrines for Dwara
Vinayagar, Kuberan, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalatchi, Murugan, Sarabeswarar and
Kala Bhairava in the prakarams. Vinayagar and Saneeswarar are located adjacent
to each other under Vanni Tree.
There is
a Hayagriva Shrine in this temple famous among students. Stucco images of
Agasthya worshipping Lord Shiva can be seen. Agasthya Maharishi installed and
worshiped Lord Siva here for long period in sitting posture. Lord was pleased
and blessed him. There is a statue of Agasthya Maharishi in sitting posture.
Poojas will be conducted to Sage Agasthya during Sadayam Star Days. Rishi Pooja
will be conducted to Sage Agasthya during Avani Valarpirai.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m in the mornings and 5.00 p.m to
8.00 pm in the evenings.
Festivals
Shivarathri
and Pournami Pradosham are celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. Besides
this temple, on Shivarathri day, devotees also visit simultaneously other
nearby Shiva temples at Karai, Veppur, Pudhupadi, Melvisharam, Gudimallur and
Avarakkarai. To facilitate darshan to the devotees, all the temples are
kept open during the whole night.
Prayers
Devotees
pray here to get rid of Chevvai Dosham and to minimize Saturn effects. Devotees
will put Bitter Guards garland (17 Bitter Guards) with Deepams to Saneeswarar
as prayer commitments. Devotees pray to Murugan with Beetroot Rice. People with
debt crisis can worship Lord Shiva here on Chandra Hora Time on Mondays.
Contact
Agastheeshwarar
Temple,
Vannivedu,
Vellore District
Phone: +91 4172 270 595
Mobile: +91 94432 27864
Connectivity
The
Temple is located on the northern bank of River Palaru. The temple is located on
the Walajah bye-pass right on the National Highway – on the left as you go from
Chennai. Access to this temple is available through a diversion much before or
cross the temple and drive further for a U turn, come back and pass under the
highway near the Vishnu temple on the road.
The
Temple is located at about 28 Kms from Vellore, 4 Kms from Ranipet, 7 Kms from Walajah,
16 Kms from Kaveripakkam, 21 Kms from Sirukarumbur, 6 Kms from Arcot, 27 Kms
from Sholinghur, 52 Kms from Arakkonam, 52 Kms from Thiruthani and 115 Kms from
Chennai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Walajah and Nearest Airport is
located at Chennai.
References