Valmikeswarar Temple, Melvisharam, Vellore
Valmikeswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Melvisharam in Vellore
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Valmikeswarar and Mother is
called as Vadivudaiammai. The Temple is located on the bypass road of Vellore
to Arcot. The temple is located on the southern bank of River Palaru.
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. Valmiki Muni installed a Siva
Lingam here and worshiped him in standing posture. We see a statue of Valmiki
Muni in standing posture in the temple.
Visha Vruksha Vanam:
This
place in the forest was full of Etti Maram, so the place came to be known as Visha
Vruksha Vanam, and in later days the place is known as Vishram.
The
Temple
The Temple is
a small and old temple almost invisible from the main road. It is believed that
this was a big temple once upon a time. Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known
as Valmikeswarar with his consort known as Vadivudyambikai in different
sanctum. Valmikeswarar is facing east and Mother Vadivudaiammai is facing south.
Valmiki Muni installed a Siva Lingam and worshiped him in standing posture. We
see a statue of Valmiki Muni in standing posture in the temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is opened from 6.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The devotee may get in touch with
the priest in advance for convenient darshan of the Lord.
Festivals
Shivarathri
is 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, Gudimallur, Vannivedu and Avarakkarai. To
facilitate darshan to the devotees, all the temples are kept open during the
whole night.
Connectivity
Melvisharam
is located between Arcot and Vellore on the Chennai – Bangalore highway. This
temple is inconspicuously located opposite the Apollo Hospitals in the main
road. The Temple is located on the southern bank of River Palaru. The Temple is
located at about 25 Kms from Vellore, 10 Kms from Ranipet, 15 Kms from Walajah,
27 Kms from Kaveripakkam, 29 Kms from Katpadi, 32 Kms from Sirukarumbur, 13 Kms
from Arcot, 36 Kms from Sholinghur, 60 Kms from Arakkonam, 60 Kms from
Thiruthani and 125 Kms from Chennai. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Walajah and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
References
