Vedasreni is a place in Chennai known for floods and water logging. For someone who visits Chennai frequently and knows the topography well to an extent, it will still be a jaw dropping moment, the moment one comes to know Vedasreni is nothing but Velachery. Velachery is the name derived from ‘Vedasreni’. It is said to be the place where 4 vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama, Adarvana vedas built kudil and worshipped Lord Marundeshwarar presiding at Thiruvanmiyur. The vedas were captured by Somugan, who was killed by Lord Vishnu in Matsya Avatara and subsequently they were released from hostage. The vedas came here to Vedasreni and prayed to Lord Shiva at Thiruvanmiyur to annihilate their dosha of being in the hands of asura.
Also Lord Shiva here called as Dandeeshwara was worshiped by Yamadharmaraja after he lost his life and Dandam at Thirukkadaiyur, after the Bhaktha Markandeya incident. To get back his powers he came here created a pond and is called ‘Yama Thirtham’, which is still here but less maintained. The Lord is originally called Dandapanishwarar but later became Dandeeshwarar as Yamadharmaraja couldn't take back his Dandam that he kept aside during Shiva Pooja.
There is an awesome age old temple with five tier gopuram facing south, in 2 kilometers distance from Velachery bus stand. As one enters the Arch and proceeds to Sannidhi Street, strong smell of Vibudhi and flowers welcome devotees. As one enters the two prahara temple premises, divinity sets in effortlessly. Entering the sanctum, Goddess Karunambika welcomes her children with so much kindness. To the left of the sanctum Lord Shiva as Linga Swaroopam is seated majestically. The goddess was installed by Shri Appaiya Dikshitar along with Sri Chakra. Shri Appiya Dikshitar stayed in Velachery and worshipped both Lord Dandeeshwara and Lord Marundheeshwara. It is said that even Lord Marundheeshwara changed his direction to west while he was facing east before as he was impressed by the devotion of Shri Appaiya Dikshitar.
As one proceeds for circumambulation, a Latin word, circum - around + ambulātus to walk, is the act of moving around a sacred object or idol as wiki states, one can see various deities like Maha Ganapathy, Yoga Shree Dakshina Moorthy, Somas skandhar, Lingothbavar – famous in temples in and around Kumbakonam, Maha Lakshmi, A stunningly beautiful Goddess Saraswathi sitting cross legged having her Veena in hand, Lord Brahma, Durga Devi, Muruga, Utsava Vinayaka, Nataraja, Sambu Sooriyan with few songs on Lord Shiva written on the walls of the prahara. The second prahara has stala viruksham, annadhana kudam and navagrahas.
The Lord here is prayed so as to get rid of fear of death and as vedas were purified here, devotees are said to visit Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery temples simultaneously to get complete blessings of Lord Shiva. The Lord and the Nandhikeshwarar, seated close to Dwajastambam is slightly tilted which is another specialty of the temple. Famous Utsavams celebrated here are ‘Chitra Pournami’, ‘Vaikasi Visagam’, ‘Aani Thirumanjanam’, apart from usual pradosha and other celebrations. As one walks out back through the same south gate, which is the only functioning gate, just opposite to the arch is ‘Goddess Chellayi Amman' temple.
A small temple for Goddess Chellayi, she is called Grama Devatha in that premises. A small chat with age old Priest who is devoted to the goddess for the 7th generation tells that three temples in Velachery was built and maintained by Pallavas who ruled this place long back. The temple has been renovated and we had lost many ancient scriptures and structures says the 7th generation priest. Along with Goddess Chellayi, Sapta mathas, Lord Vinayaka, Lord Virabhadra blesses devotees graciously.
Also Lord Shiva here called as Dandeeshwara was worshiped by Yamadharmaraja after he lost his life and Dandam at Thirukkadaiyur, after the Bhaktha Markandeya incident. To get back his powers he came here created a pond and is called ‘Yama Thirtham’, which is still here but less maintained. The Lord is originally called Dandapanishwarar but later became Dandeeshwarar as Yamadharmaraja couldn't take back his Dandam that he kept aside during Shiva Pooja.
There is an awesome age old temple with five tier gopuram facing south, in 2 kilometers distance from Velachery bus stand. As one enters the Arch and proceeds to Sannidhi Street, strong smell of Vibudhi and flowers welcome devotees. As one enters the two prahara temple premises, divinity sets in effortlessly. Entering the sanctum, Goddess Karunambika welcomes her children with so much kindness. To the left of the sanctum Lord Shiva as Linga Swaroopam is seated majestically. The goddess was installed by Shri Appaiya Dikshitar along with Sri Chakra. Shri Appiya Dikshitar stayed in Velachery and worshipped both Lord Dandeeshwara and Lord Marundheeshwara. It is said that even Lord Marundheeshwara changed his direction to west while he was facing east before as he was impressed by the devotion of Shri Appaiya Dikshitar.
As one proceeds for circumambulation, a Latin word, circum - around + ambulātus to walk, is the act of moving around a sacred object or idol as wiki states, one can see various deities like Maha Ganapathy, Yoga Shree Dakshina Moorthy, Somas skandhar, Lingothbavar – famous in temples in and around Kumbakonam, Maha Lakshmi, A stunningly beautiful Goddess Saraswathi sitting cross legged having her Veena in hand, Lord Brahma, Durga Devi, Muruga, Utsava Vinayaka, Nataraja, Sambu Sooriyan with few songs on Lord Shiva written on the walls of the prahara. The second prahara has stala viruksham, annadhana kudam and navagrahas.
The Lord here is prayed so as to get rid of fear of death and as vedas were purified here, devotees are said to visit Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery temples simultaneously to get complete blessings of Lord Shiva. The Lord and the Nandhikeshwarar, seated close to Dwajastambam is slightly tilted which is another specialty of the temple. Famous Utsavams celebrated here are ‘Chitra Pournami’, ‘Vaikasi Visagam’, ‘Aani Thirumanjanam’, apart from usual pradosha and other celebrations. As one walks out back through the same south gate, which is the only functioning gate, just opposite to the arch is ‘Goddess Chellayi Amman' temple.
A small temple for Goddess Chellayi, she is called Grama Devatha in that premises. A small chat with age old Priest who is devoted to the goddess for the 7th generation tells that three temples in Velachery was built and maintained by Pallavas who ruled this place long back. The temple has been renovated and we had lost many ancient scriptures and structures says the 7th generation priest. Along with Goddess Chellayi, Sapta mathas, Lord Vinayaka, Lord Virabhadra blesses devotees graciously.
Walking past the regional Bakery shop, one is likely to make note of Today’s special board reading Vaazhaippu vadai and can reserve place in stomach for the same after the darshan of mighty Lord Yoga Narasimma. Temples of Goddess Chellayi and Lord Narasimma was renovated in the year 2016, though the Narasimmar temple reads to be constructed in the year 2016. The highlight of Lord Narasimma temple is one can see his adherent devotee ‘Prahaladha’ seated in front of him. The temple welcomes devotees with staunch smell of Tulsi water. The presiding goddess is Shir Amrithabalavalli thayar. The utsava moorthy is ‘Bakthavatsala Parabrahma Perumal’ seated along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. The temple also has Shri Chakkarathazhwar, Shri Kodhanda Ramar Sannidhi and the inner sanctum has Saint Ramanuja’s utsavar idol. The temple is gearing up for Saint Ramanuja’s 1000th birthday celebrations. And the peaceful prahara around has Nava Narasimmas sculpted beautifully making one realize palpable divine existence.
Though currently due to over bridge construction (as on April 2017) the frequency of buses has reduced, the divine vibes emitted from the place fills mind and peace sets in as one gets down at Dandeeshwaram bus stop. Despite the buzz that is prevailing all around the place gives profound peace taking away all anxieties in no time.
Vedasreni also known as Velachery not only floods with water but also is flooded with divine vibes in abundance.
Reference : Partially from the Article of Mr. Panayapuram Adhiyaman from 2017 March Edition Daily Thanthi.