Valmikeeswarar, Melvisharam
Saivite Temples - Vellore District
God
Valmikeeswarar, facing east
Goddess
Vadivudaiammai, facing south
Other Deities
Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma. Durga, Chandikeswara, Navagraha
Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam Temple is a small and old temple almost invisible from the main road. It is believed that this was a big temple once upon a time. Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam is one of the Kshadaranya Temples. The others are Gowtameswarar Kaarai, Athreeswarar Kudimallur, Agastheeswarar Vannivedu, Bharadwajeswarar Pudupadi, Vasishteswarar Veppur and Kashyapeswarar Avaraikadu. Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam is situated on the southern bank of the Palar river.
Holy Water – No information
Holy Tree – Etti ( Strychnos nux-vomica)
History
Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam is an ancient temple as old as the rest of the Kshadaranya Temples in the region. Historic information is not available as on date.
Legend
Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam is one of the six temples in the area where the lingams have been installed by the 7 Rishis: Vasishta, Valmiki, Gowthama, Agasthiya, Aththiri, Baradwaja and Kashyapa. This lingam here at Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam is believed to have been installed by Sage Valmiki and hence called Valmikeeswarar. Secretes of medicine and medicinal plants were preached to Sage Valmiki by the lord here at Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam.
Directions
Melvisharam is between Arcot and Vellore on the Chennai-Bangalore highway. Valmikeeswarar Melvisharam is inconspicuously located opposite the Apollo Hospitals in the main road. Also plan to visit the other 5 temples forming this group.
Stay and Food
None locally, closest is Arcot or Vellore
