Vaaleeswarar Temple, Echur,
Vandavasi, Thiruvannamalai
Vaaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Echur Village near Vandavasi in Thiruvannamalai
District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vaaleeswarar and Mother is
called as Abitha Kujalambal. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam
as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple.
Legends
Vanara King Vaali had a
practice of worshipping Lord Shiva in Eastern Sea (Bay of Bengal) in the
mornings and Western Sea (Arabian Sea) in the evenings. Once, while he was
travelling after worshipping Lord Shiva in the eastern sea in the morning
towards western sea for his evening worship. His travel got interrupted while
he was flying above this place. A divine voice instructed that Lord Shiva has
been present in this place in his Swayambhu Form and told him to find and
worship Lord Shiva here. As per the divine instructions, he found the Swayambhu
Linga and constructed a Temple for the Lord. Hence Vaali found and installed
the Shiva Linga. The Linga came to be called as Vaaleeswarar.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as
Vaaleeswarar and Mother is called as Abitha Kujalambal. Bana belongs to Chola
Period and Avudayar has been replaced with the new one recently. There are no
other idols present in the Temple dating from the Chola Period except the
presiding Deity and Mother. All the other idols were looted during Muslim
invasion. The Temple has been renovated recently.
There are newly built shrines
for Vinayagar, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai in the
Temple premises. There were inscriptions in the Temple belonging to Chola King
Kulotunga Chola I. Most of inscriptions were destroyed during Muslim invasions.
Presently, there is only one inscription in the Temple premises talks about
renovations done by Kulotunga Chola I.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about
this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 31st
Patikam in 4th Song.
கச்சையூர் காவங்
கழுக்குன்றங் காரோணம்
பிச்சையூர் திரிவான்
கடவூர் வடபேறூர்
கச்சியூர் கச்சிசிக்கல்
நெய்த்தானம் மிழலை
இச்சையூர் எய்தமான்
இடையா றிடைமருதே
Prayers
It is a belief that praying
Lord Shiva here will make one without enemies and can win any cases.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
4 Kms from Purisai, 5 Kms from Vandavasi Bus Depot, 8 Kms from Vandavasi, 14
Kms from Thennangur, 15 Kms from Cheyyar, 30 Kms from Uthiramerur, 43 Kms from Kanchipuram,
36 Kms from Melmaruvathur, 41 Kms from Melmaruvathur Railway Station, 82 Kms
from Thiruvannamalai, 102 Kms from Chennai Airport and 120 Kms from Chennai.
The Temple is situated on Vandavasi to Cheyyar Route. There are Bus facilities
to reach this place from Vandavasi. The Temple is situated at a walkable
distance from Echur Bus Stop.
Location