Vedapureeswarar Temple, Cheyyar

Getting there

• By road

  Cheyyar is 100 km southwest of Chennai, the state capital. The temple is near Kanchipuram.

Why devotees come here

Vedapureeswarar Temple stands on the northern bank of the Cheyyar River in Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, and it is dedicated to Shiva as Vedapureeswarar.

Vedapureeswarar is a form of Shiva, and the temple is believed to be the place where Shiva taught the Vedas. Legend says that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar used his miraculous powers here to turn a male palm tree into a female palm tree. Devotees also believe that Ganesha appeared before the saint and pointed out the Shiva temple to him. The temple is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams.

The town was earlier called Thiruvothur, and the temple lies in Thiruvadhipuram. Arunagirinathar, a devotee of Muruga, worshipped Shiva in this temple. Here the Nandi faces the opposite way to the usual pattern, away from the Shiva lingam. All the Pancha Bootha lingams can be worshipped in this one temple. Cheyyar is one of three revenue divisions in Tiruvannamalai district, with Tiruvannamalai and Arni.

Every year, the devotees of the temple and the people of the town celebrate a festival with street processions. It lasts 10 days and is called Brahmmotsavam. On its 7th day, the Thiruther vaibhavam is celebrated in a grand manner.

Festivals

• Every year, for 10 daysBrahmmotsavam

  Devotees and the people of the town hold street processions. The 7th day, Thiruther vaibhavam, is celebrated in a grand manner.

Tips for your visit

• Look at the Nandi closely, since it faces the opposite way to the usual pattern in this temple.
• All the Pancha Bootha lingams can be worshipped in this one temple, so one visit covers them.
• Brahmmotsavam lasts 10 days each year, and its 7th day, the Thiruther vaibhavam, is celebrated in a grand manner.

Questions people ask