Vasishteswarar Temple, Veppur, Vellore
Vasishteswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Veppur in Vellore District of
Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vasishteswarar and Mother is known as Balakujambal.
The place is located at Southern Banks of Palar River. The forest in this
place was filled with Neem Tree hence the place was known
as Veppur. Arunagirinathar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanyar of this
temple.
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. Vasishta Muni installed Siva Lingam and
worshiped him in standing posture. Lord was pleased and blessed him. There is a
small sculpture of Vasishta Muni in the temple in standing posture.
Veppur:
The
forest in this place was filled with Neem Tree hence the place was
known as Veppur.
Guru Sthalam:
The
temple is considered as Guru Sthalam since Vasishta Guru of Lord Sri
Ramachandra Murthy worshiped Lord Siva here.
The
Temple
This is
a large east facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram in the south. The temple
is on the southern bank of the Palar River with a temple tank in the north and
west. Main deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Vasishteswarar and with his
consort known as Bala Kujambikai in separate sanctum. Here Lord is seen
in Kalyana Kolam. Both Lord and Mother are facing east. Dakshina
Moorthy is seen facing south in the prakaram.
Sage
Vashista should be worshipped before worshipping Lord Shiva. Vasishta Muni
installed Siva Lingam and worshiped him in standing posture. There is a small
sculpture of Vasishta Muni in the temple in standing posture. A stone
inscription says the temple is more than 1000 years old. Later in the year 1169 A.D by Veera Sampanna Sambuvarayar constructed Maha
mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Main sanctum of this temple.
Other
deities seen in the temple are Selva Vinayakar, Subramanyar with Valli and
Deivanai, Prathyangira Devi, Sarabeswarar, Sapthamadhas, Kasi Viswanathar,
Akora Veerabhadrar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durga,
Chandikeswarar, Eesana Lingam, Manickavasagar, Navagrahas, Surya, Saneeswarar and
Kala Bairavar.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 7.00 A.M to 10.00 A.M in the mornings and 5.00 PM to
7.00 P.M in the evenings.
Festivals
Shivarathri,
Pournami and Avani Valarpirai Panchami are celebrated in this temple with much
fanfare. Besides this temple, on Shivarathri day, devotees also visit
simultaneously other nearby Shiva temples at Karai, Gudimallur, Pudhupadi,
Melvisharam, Vannivedu and Avarakkarai. To facilitate darshan to the
devotees, all the temples are kept open during the whole night.
Prayers
People
pray here for child boon and Marriage. If anyone from nearby village dies,
relatives of the deceased do special poojas to Lord Shiva on third day from
their death. Also they light Moksha Deepam on Navagraha Sannidhi, considering
the deceased will get salvation.
Contact
Vasishteswarar
Temple,
Veppur,
Vellore District
Mobile: +91 98429 11671
Connectivity
The Temple
is located at Southern Banks of Palar River. The Temple is located at about 23
Kms from Vellore, 19 Kms from Ranipet, 21 Kms from Walajah, 33 Kms from Kaveripakkam,
38 Kms from Sirukarumbur, 10 Kms from Arcot, 34 Kms from Sholinghur, 59 Kms
from Arakkonam, 60 Kms from Thiruthani and 117 Kms from Chennai. After crossing
the Palar near Arcot continue for about a kilometer, cross the green thunder
theme park and you will see a small board directing to the temple on the right
hand side. Nearest Railway Station is located at Arcot and Nearest Airport is
located at Chennai.
References