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Vedapureeswarar temple is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva situated on the northern banks of River Cheyyar. In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.

Vedapureeswarar temple is an ancient temple, formerly kown as Vedanadeshwarar temple sits on the northern banks of the Cheyyar River. Cheyyar was previously known as Thiruvothur which is in Thiruvannamalai District near Kanchipuram in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. This is one of the padal petra sthalam, by legend Thirugnana Sambandar.

History says that Goddess Parvathi (Balakusalambigai or Ilamulainayagi) made a line on the earth's surface with her Trisul to make a river for her son, Lord Muruga to play.

The legend has that Lord Shiva sermonized the sacred Veda, imparted the knowledge about the chronicles of Veda to deities, Rishis and Sages in this sacred land. Hence, this place has got its name Thiruvothur, which means Thiru - Lord and Othuvar - preacher. Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance in this sacred land. In this temple Lord Nandikeshwara can be seen facing opposite to Lord Vedapureeshwarar. It?s believed that Lord instructed Nandikeshwara to monitor this sacred place without any obstacle to his lecture of imparting the knowledge of Veda to deities.

Devotees are relieved from depression. Performing Abishekam to the Nagalingam here ensures a progeny. The palm fruits of the holy tree (palm tree) has proved to be an effective medicine for infertility. The effect of the fruit is proved even by foreigners asking for it and they are sent to other countries also. The Nagalingam is formed above Bhumadevi, a fish above her, a tortoise above, 11 elephants above, 11 serpents above, a Linga above them and 11 serpent heads above that.

Those who worship Saturn here each Saturday between 9.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. (Rahu Kalam) are relieved of the anger of the serpents (Naga dosha).

The main deity Vedapureeswarar blesses His devotees all peace and happiness. People come here for employment chances, business development, promotions in offices and other material gains. Devotees perform Kalayana Utsavam(marriage festival for the Lord and His Consort), offer snake jewel (Nagabaranam), ghee for the temple lamps, perform abisheks with milk, curd, oil, tender coconut, sacred ash, rose water, sandal paste, offer cloths to the deities, feeding the visiting devotees. During Adi Puram and Krtuhika month the Goddess and the Lord are bathed in Pot water and Sangu (Kalasabishekam and Conch pouring).
The devotees also prepare Nivedhanas to the Gods through the temple and distribute it to the visitors.

Palm Tree: This is the tree that speaks volumes about the temple. The tree did not yield fruits at all and was infertile. The hymns of Gnanasambandar cured the tree of infertility and was converted to a female tree and is still speaking the glory for more than a century.

The other speciality of the temple is that the Nandhi is not facing the Lord but the opposite direction. While the Lord was teaching Vedas to the Devas, the Nandhi was monitoring the place so that nobody enters and create any disturbance to the teaching diverting the attention of the Sishyas. The other story is that that the Lord was encouraging Thondaiman to proceed against his enemies and sent Nandhi for his assistance.

The great speciality of the temple is that one will be able to have the dharsan of the Lord, Goddess, Lord Muruga, Lord Ganapathy and the Palm tree standing in a single place which is not possible in other temples.

The presiding deity is Lord Vedanathar/Vedapureeshwarar with his consort Goddess Ilammulai Nayaki/Balakujambikai.

This temple has got a 7 tier gopuram with high compound walls and 2 prakarams and covers an area of about 4 acres. The main deity (Moolavar) is a Swayambu Lingam. The construction of this temple began in the 5th century AD by Simmavarma Pallavan.

The temple was gradually expanded during the periods of later chola kings, pallava kings and Thondiaman kings and completed by the king Krishnadevarayar during the year 1500 AD.

The Nandi in this temple is facing the entrance of the temple instead of facing the main deity Lord Shiva. The scupltures of Narthana Ganapathi with 7 hands and the rare Nagalingam with 11 heads are a treat to watch.

The female deity Elamulai Nayagi is seen with 4 hands.

Mangalasasanam : Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar and Arunagirinathar. Saint Arunagirinathar sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.

Place: Cheyyaru

Old name: Thiruvothur

Sthalavruksham : Palm Tree

Theertham : Cheyyar River, Kalyana Kodi Theertham

Sannidhis : Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Ganesha (Narthana Vinayaka), Lord Subramanya(Shanmugha), Sri Adi Kesava Perumal, Navagrahas, Panchabootha Lingam

Worshipped by : Lord Bhairava, Lord Brahma, Lord Surya, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya, Lord Vishnu.

Festivals : Brahmostavam, Adi Lakshadeepam, Adi Vishakam Gnana Sambandhar Vizha, Chaitra Purnima - Sundarar Guru Puja, Punguni Uthram, Masi Makam, Maha Shivaratri, Sankatahara Chathurthi, Diwali, Pongal, New Year Day

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.