- Shiva
Jalakandeswarar Temple
- Vellore,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Jalakandeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the Vellore Fort, Tamil Nadu State, India. The temple of the Vijaynagar period stands inside the Vellore Fort.
About the Temple
The temple is built at the centre of a tank. There is a beautiful water fencing (Agazhi) around the temple appearing as a garland. The circumference of this Agazhi is 8000 feet. The sculpture in the wedding hall of the temple has two faces in a single body, an elephant and the bull.
The Revolving Lamp
There is an earthern lamp on the Balipeeta behind the Adhikara Nandhi (the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) which would revolve if some people place their hands on it as they wish. But it doesn’t revolve in all the cases and till today nobody knows the reason. Those facing some troubles caused by lizards falling on them worship the Golden and Silver Lizards in the temple. On the Kanu Festival or Mattu Pongal day (January), special abisheks are performed to Adhikara Nandhi. The wedding hall or the Kalyana Mandapam of the temple is as beautiful as the 1000 pillared Mandap in Madurai Meenakshisundareswarar temple.
Navashakti Jyothi:
A torch called Navasakthi Jyothi is in front of the Goddess – Amman shrine. It never extinguishes and round in shape. The main flame (jyothi) is at the centre and eight around it. A great lamp above the jyothi has a diameter of 27 inches representing the 27 stars starting from Ashwini to Revathi. This is called Star Deepa – Nakshatra Deepa.
Legend and Stories
There was an ant-hill (a sand mount made by white ants having many holes housing snakes inside called Pampu puttru in Tamil) in the place where the sanctum sanctorum of Jalakandeswarar exists now. Rain waters in the lower levels of the anthill made a tank there. There was also a Shivalinga under the water of the tank. Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of a chieftain Bommi Reddy who was ruling the region and asked him to build a temple there. The king went to the tank, demolished the ant-hill and took out the Shivalinga and installed the Lord in the water itself. As the Lord was installed in a place surrounded by Jalam (Water), He is named Jalakhandeswarar.
Festivals
10 day Chitra Poornima (April-May), Surasamharam in Aipasi (October-November), 10 day Aadipooram (July-August), Vinayaka Chaturthi in Avani (August-September) Navarathri during September-October and all Saturdays during this period, are the festivals devotionally celebrated in the temple.
How to Reach Jalakandeswarar Temple
The temple is situated in the heart of Vellore. The nearest railway station is in Kadpadi, and the closest airport is in Chennai.
Temple Address
Jalakandeswarar Temple,
Balaji Nagar, Vellore,
Tamil Nadu - 632004
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- For general well-being
Shlokas
Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree
Meaning -Oh Lord Shiva who is seated on Mount Kailash, where the moon decorates his forehead and the king of serpents crown his head, who is merciful and removes delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.
Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat
Meaning -We worship the fragrant Lord Shiva, who has 3 eyes and who cultivates all beings. May He free me from death, for immortality, as even a cucumber is separated from its bond with the vine.
Timings
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.