Sri Vasishteswarar Temple, Veppur, Near Arcot, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

The visit to this temple was planned after attending a friend’s son's marriage at Walajapet near Ranipet in Vellore District on 10^th March 2019. Mr. Ramesh from Arcot took me to the Shiva Temple at Veppur. (The place obtained the name of Veppur since the place was once a neem forest).

The second visit to this Sri Vasishteswara Swamy at Veppur was part of the “Sadaranya Kshetram Visit” around Arcot on January 11, 2026, organized by Rameswaram Travel Agency. This is one of the Shadaranya Kshetras around Ranipet. During the Puranic period, this place was associated with Nimbavanam – Neem Trees. The Shiva of this temple was installed and worshipped by Vasishter Maharishi.

Sl No	Temple	Manivar	Place	Aranyam
1	Sri Vasishteswara Swamy Temple	Vasishta Maharishi	Veppur	Nimbavanam – Neem Trees
2	Sri Valmikiswarar Temple	Valmiki Maharishi	Melvisharam	Vishavrukshavanam-Ettimaram
3	Sri Gauthameswarar Temple	Gautama Maharishi	Karai	Kaarai  Vanam – Kaarai trees
4	Sri Agastheeswarar Temple	Agasthiya Maharishi	Vannivedu	Sameevanam – Vanni Trees
5	Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple	Atri Maharishi	Gudimallur	Gudamallikavanam – Koda malli
6	Sri Barathwajeswarar Temple	Barathwaja Maharishi	Pudupadi	Soothavanam – Mango Trees
7	Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple	Kashyaba Maharishi	Avarakarai (Navlock)	Karai Flowers

Moolavar    : Sri Vasishteswarar

Consort      : Sri Balakujambal.

The Salient features of this temple are…

The temple is on the southern banks of the river Palar. The temple is facing east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram on the south. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and a Rishaba mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the outer praharam, Ambal is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east. The other sannadhis are Maha Sarabeswarar, Maha Prathyangira Devi, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Kailasanathar with Visalakshi, Saptamatrikas panel, Veerabhadra, A Shiva Linga with Manickavasagar, Suriyan, Navagrahas, and Chandikeswarar. Vasishta Maharishi is in the ardha mandapam facing the moolavar. 

Maha Prathyangira Devi

 Chandikeswarar

 Veerabhadra

Arunagirinathar has sung hymns, Thiruppugazh, on Subramaniar of this temple.

தனதன தனதன தனதன தாந்த  

     தாத்தான தந்த ......                    தனதான

குரைகட லுலகினி லுயிர்கொடு போந்து    

     கூத்தாடு கின்ற ......                    குடில்பேணிக்

குகையிட மருவிய கருவிழி மாந்தர்  

     கோட்டாலை யின்றி ......               யவிரோதம்

வரஇரு வினையற உணர்வொடு தூங்கு  

     வார்க்கே விளங்கு ....                  மநுபூதி

வடிவினை யுனதழ கியதிரு வார்ந்த  

     வாக்கால்மொ ழிந்த ......                ருளவேணும்

திரள்வரை பகமிகு குருகுல வேந்து 

     தேர்ப்பாகன் மைந்தன் ......              மறையோடு

தெருமர நிசிசரர் மனைவியர் சேர்ந்து  

     தீப்பாய இந்த்ர ......                     புரிவாழ

விரிதிரை யெரியெழ முதலுற வாங்கு 

     வேற்கார கந்த ......                     புவியேழும்

மிடிகெட விளைவன வளவயல் சூழ்ந்த 

     வேப்பூர மர்ந்த ......                    பெருமாளே. 

ARCHITECTURE

A Nayak period mandapam is between the Sanctum entrance and the Rajagopuram. The temple consists of the Sanctum Sanctorum,  antarala, and artha mandapam. The sanctum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, muppattai kumudam, and pattika. The kostas are of the sala style. The bhitti starts with Vedika. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with a square base, with nagabandham, thamarai kattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palagai, veera kandam, and poo mottu pothyals. The prastaram is with valapi, kapotam, and viyyalavari. 

A stucco vesara vimana is above the sanctum. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the 1169 CE inscriptions, Vira Sampanna Sambuvarayar constructed the mandapam and artha mandapam. The Adhisthana also has the 16^th to 17th-century Nayak period inscriptions recording the donations made to this temple.

LEGENDS

This temple is one of the six Shada Aranya Kshetram around Arcot. Moolavar is Swayambu and believed that Vasishta Maharishi installed and worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple.

As per the legend, Ma Kamakshi playfully closed the eyes of Shiva. The universe has come to a standstill. Angered, Shiva cursed Ma Kamkshi to go to the earth. Ma Kamkshi did penance on Shri Shiva. Pleased by the penance, Shiva married at Kanchipuram. To witness the celestial wedding, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, the celestial gods, and all the Rishis and Munis assembled at Kanchipuram. The 6 Maharishis (“ஷட் (Saṭ / षट्)”- Six) (Many claim that Seven Maharishis worshipped, hence 7 temples are grouped on Shadaranya Kshetram), stayed in 6 forest areas on the banks of the River Palar, established Swayambhu Shiva Lingas, and worshipped. The Shiva Lingas are called in the name of the Maharishis, who established the Shiva Lingas. Hence, all seven temples are called Shadaranya Kshetras. 

Vasishta Maharishi

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Pooja, Pournami Pooja, pradosam, and Maha Shivaratri are celebrated grandly. This temple is one of the Guru parihara sthalam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile number 98429 11671 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The Veppur is about 5 km from the Arcot bus terminus and 3.6 km from the Arcot bypass.

Autos are available from the Arcot bus terminus.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Yet another Kuda Koothu bas-relief

The King or Queen riding on a horse?

Palanquin - carrying the King..?

?

  

 Temple Chariot 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---