Valeeswarar Echur

Saivite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Valeeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Abithagujambal, facing east

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Bhairava, Navagraha, Nataraja, Sivakama Sundari. Sanctum niches – Ganesha, dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Valeeswarar Echur is a well maintained and recently painted east facing temple with a single Prakaram. Entrance is through a gate at the south. The main deity is visible to the Nandi through a grilled window (Saalaram). A temple tank is present right behind at the west of the temple. This is thought to be a Vaippu Sthalam having been mentioned by Sundarar in one of his Hymns in the Thevaram, though confirmation is pending.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Valeeswarar Echur is an ancient stone temple. Many stone inscriptions are said to have been lost during muslim invasions. Presently one inscription belonging to Kulothunga Chola I is in the temple. The idols were also lost except the Bana portion of the Shiva Lingam which goes back to the Chola period. All other idols have been installed later. The fact that the temple could have been the one mentioned in the Thevaram Hymns confirms its existence as early as the 7th Century CE.

Legend

Vaali of Ramayana is believed to have worshiped the Lord here at Valeeswarar Echur.

Directions

Valeeswarar Echur is about 7 kilometers north of Vandavasi on the road to Cheyyar. Take a right at Echur and drive east for about half a kilometer to reach Valeeswarar Echur.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Vandavasi.

Saivite Temples

Valeeswarar, Echur