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Shadaranya Kshetram: Arcot Temples.



The temples of Shadaranyam are very old Temples.


The Shadaranya kshetram temples are, where Saptha Rishi's (Vasishter, Valmiki, Baradwajar, Athri, Agasthiyar, Gowthamar and Kasyapa Muni) stayed there in their Ashram and worshiped Lord Siva. The temples are on either side to the bank of River Palau.



“Shat “denotes number six and Aranyam means Forest (kadu in Tamil) hence the place is known as Arcot. Lord Siva is known by the name of Rishi's who worshiped here in all these six temples.



Sthala Purana says visiting all these temples on Maha Sivarathri is as good as visiting and worshiping at Himalayas.



Once, Goddess Parvathy penanced at Kancheepuram (Prithivi 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 there daily rituals unobstructed. Each one of them chose a place in the forest to worship Lord Siva. All six places where they worshiped is known as Shadaranyam. Since Six Rishi’s worshiped Swayambu Lingam in these six places it is considered holy to visit and worship Lord Siva here.

1. Veppur:
   
   
   
   The place is about 3kms from Arcot to South Bank of Paalar River. One has to take bypass road of Vellore to Arcot.
   
   
   
   The forest in this place was filled with Neem Tree hence the place was known as Veppur
   
   
   A stone inscription says the temple is more than 1000 years old.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Later in the year 1169BC by Veera Sampanna Sambuvarayar constructed Maha mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Main sanctum of this temple.
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Vasishteswarar and with his consort known as Balakujambikai in separate sanctum. Here Lord is seen in Kalyana kolam. Dakshina Moorthy is seen facing south in the prakaram.
   
   
   
   Other deities seen in the temple are Selva Vinayakar, Subramanyar with Valli and Devanai, Sarabeswarar, Sapthamadhar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Akora Veerabadrar, Saneeswarar, and Kala Bairavar.
   
   
   
   Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanyar of this temple. The temple is considered as Guru Sthalam since Vasishta Guru of Lord Sri Ramachandra Murthy worshiped Lord Siva here.
   
   
   
   
2. Mel Visharam:
   
   
   
   The place is located about 3kms distance from Veppur. It is on the bypass road of Vellore to Arcot. The temple is to south bank of River Paalaru.
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main entrance of the temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Valmeekeswarar with his consort known as Vadivudyambikai in different sanctum.
   
   
   
   Sthala purana says there is a stone inscription in Veppur temple which says the this temple is more than 1000 years old.
   
   
   
   
3. Pudhapadi.
   
   
   
   
   This place is about 6 kms from Arcot. The temple is on the South Bank of Palaru, between Arcot and Pudhupadi.
   
   
   
   The place was full of Mango Tree in the forest, so the place was known as Amra Vanam.The temple is as old as 1600 years old.
   
   
   
   Baradwaja muni installed a Siva Lingam and worshiped Lord Siva in standing posture. There is a statue for Baradwaja muni in the temple in standing posture.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity here is Swayambu Lingam known as Baradwajeeswarar.
   The main sanctum is Gajaprushta form.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Other Deities seen in the temple are Nardhana Ganapathy, Dakshina Moorthy, and Vishnu.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Gudimallur.
   
   
   
   
   The place is in-between Pudhupadi dam and Valaja town about 3kms interior on the North bank of River Palaru.
   
   
   
   Athri Maharishi installed and worshiped Lord Siva here for long period in sitting posture. Lord was pleased and blessed him. There is a statue of Athri Maharishi in sitting posture.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Athetheeswarar Temple main entrance.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we enter we see Dwajasthambam
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Athetheswarar with his consort known as Thirupura Sundri in different sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   There is another Siva temple in this place.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The Raja gopuram is of three tier.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we enter there is long corridor leading to the sanctum
   
   
   
   Main Deity in this temple is Sri Boomi Nadheswararwith his consort in separate sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we go around the temple we see Ganesha, Subramanyar, Dakshina Murthy, Lingothbavar with Brahma and Lord Vishnu to either side.
   
   
   Vasthu Pooja is performed on Vasthu day.
   
   
   
   
5. Vannivedu
   
   
   
   The place Vannivedu is about 2kms distance from Valajapettai on the North Bank of River Paalaru.
   
   
   
   Agasthya Muni installed Siva Lingam and worshiped in this place in sitting posture. There is a statue for Agasthya Muni in sitting posture in the temple.
   
   
   
   The place was full of Vanni Vruksham in the forest, hence it is known as Vannimedu.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main entrance of the Temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Dwajasthambam
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayumbu Lingam of sand known as Agstheeswarar with his consort known as Akilandeswari. Siva Lingam is small in size and finger prints are there on it. Ambal is seen standing on Avudai in penanceing form.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Other deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Swarna Akarshna Bairavar, Bairavar and Sani Bagawan.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Inside the mandapam we see Sarabeswarar and Nalwar.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Karai:
   
   
   
   
   The place Karai is about 2kms distance from Ranipetai on the north bank of Paalaru River.
   
   
   
   The place was filled with karai plant in the forest, hence the place was known as Karai.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Gowthama Rishi installed and worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Here in the temple there is a statue gor Gowthamar seen in sitting posture in front of Lord Siva sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Gowthameswarar with his consort known as Krupambika seen in Artha mandapam.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we go around the temple prakaram we see Sarabeswarar, and Gowthama Rishi.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   There is another temple in Karai were Nandeeswara muni worshiped Lord Siva.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The place is about 3 kms from Karai in Avarakarai Village near Nalla thoppu on the north bank of Paalaru River.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity in the temple Siva Lingam known as Nandeeswarar with his consort known as Ulgalandha Nayaki.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we go around the prakaram we see Dakshina moorthy, and Navagraham

Erikuppam: Yantra Sani Bagawan Temple.


The temple is about 9kms from Arani to Padavedu route. Arani is about 58kms from Thiruvannamalai and 41kms from Vellore. The temple can be reached through Santhavasal in Thiruvannamalai to Vellore route. Santhavasal is about 3 kms from Erikuppam.








To the entrance of the temple, we see Sani Bagwan in a rath drawn by crows. Paintings of all planets with their vahanas are seen in the walls.






Main Deity is Yantra Sani Bagwan.



Normally we see Sani Bagwan in idol form but here in this temple Sani Bagawan is in Siva Linga form with Yantra in the Lingam. The Siva Lingam is about six feet height placed on a peetam. We see moon and sun on Sivalingam to the upper portion. Crow is seen in the middle in-between Sun and moon. In the middle of Siva Lingam we see Shatkona Yantram with inscriptions of Namasivaya, Beejakshara and Mahalakshmi mantras.



Teertham is Baskara Teertham which is in the field. Water for abishekam is fetched from here.



We see Varasiddhi Vinayakar when we go around the prakaram.



Special abishekam is performed on saturdays between 6-7 am. Vilwamis used for archana here
During Sani peyarchi day (transction of Saturn) pooja is performed for 5 days with Homam. Devotees light lamp with thil oil and worship God.



There was a temple built for Sani Bagwan by a King in olden days. As the years passed the temple disappeared due various reasons and the Lingam was left alone in the open space in the fields. Later the temple was constructed for Sani Bagwan by devotees. There is no roof
for the main sanctum. Sani Bagwan is exposed to sky here.


The temple is open from 6-1pm and from 3- 7 pm in week days and 6 am- 9 pm on all Saturdays without break.