Jalakandeswarar Vandavasi

Jalakandeswarar, Vandavasi

Saivite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Jalakandeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Satputhri Nayaki, facing east

Other Deities

Bala Vinayaka, Bala Murugan, 63 Nayanmar, Selva Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Naagar, Veerabadhra, Ayyappa, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Bhairava, Surya, Chandran, Navagraha

Jalakandeswarar Vandavasi is an east-facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. The Prakaram is at a lower level from the surrounding area and you climb down through a small flight of steps. The outer Prakaram is large and spacious. The Balipeedam is followed by a flagstaff, Nandi Mantapa, and an outer Mantapa. The entrance to the inner Prakaram is through another 4 tiered Gopuram. The inner Prakaram runs around both the sanctums of the god and goddess. The walls of the Sanctum sanctorum have some beautiful relief carvings. Several inscriptions are found here and in the adjoining Perumal Temple. The outer Prakaram is connected in the north with the Perumal Temple. A large temple tank is present behind the temple on the path going to the Sukanadhi River

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Jalakandeswarar Vandavasi is an ancient temple and has several stone inscriptions all around. Vandavasi is also the place where the British and French fought the famous Battle of Wandiwash which was won decisively by the British in 1760 CE.

Legend

Jalakandeswarar Vandavasi is believed to have been built by a Pandya King who was suffering from a stomach ailment. He had a dream where an indication of a buried lingam was revealed took out the same installed it here and built the temple. He also created the temple tank where he bathed before worshiping the lord to be rid of his ailment. The shiva lingam is said to bear the mark of the crowbar, created while digging it out. The town is also said to bear the name Vandha (I came) Vasi (place) representing the King’s exclamation ‘I came and got cured’.

Directions

Jalakandeswarar Vandavasi is in the center of Vandavasi town. Vandavasi is 38 kilometers south of Kancheepuram and 28 kilometers west of Melmaruvathur.

Stay and Food

Vandavasi has some small restaurants for food. A small mess is outside in the small street on the southern side of the temple serving good food to take away.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples