Vellore Jalagandeswarar Temple

For most South Indians, the name "Vellore" brings to mind two iconic landmarks: the Vellore Jail and the Vellore Fort. Among these, the Vellore Fort stands out as one of South India's most remarkable structures. Unlike other regions in India, South India has relatively few forts, making the Vellore Fort, one of the largest in the region, a rare and significant attraction. Conveniently located on the Chennai-Bangalore route, it is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.

Within the massive walls of the Vellore Fort lies an array of structures, including government buildings, a museum, a church, and a mosque. However, the most prominent and revered structure is the Jalagandeswarar Temple, a stunning example of South Indian temple architecture. Interestingly, the fort owes its existence to this temple, as it was built to safeguard the sacred site.

According to legend, the site of the temple was once an island surrounded by a lake, with a snake hole housing a Shiv Linga protected by a five-hooded snake. A cow would offer its milk to the snake daily. Upon hearing of these events, King Bommi Reddy, the ruler of the region, decided to construct a temple at this auspicious site in 1566 CE. The construction was led by a skilled sculptor from North India.

However, the day chosen to commence the temple’s construction was later deemed inauspicious. To protect the temple from potential harm, the king decided to build a fort around it, resulting in the creation of the magnificent Vellore Fort.

After Bommi Reddy, ten kings from his dynasty ruled Vellore. In the 17th century, the Bijapur Sultanate captured the fort. Sultan Abdullah, influenced by a belief that precious stones lay beneath the Shiv Linga, removed the icon and discarded it into the fort’s moat. The Marathas later reclaimed the fort and restored the deity, but their control was short-lived, and the fort changed hands multiple times between the Marathas and Muslim rulers.

During a Muslim ruler’s reign in the 18th century, temple rituals were halted for 21 years. When the Marathas regained control, worship resumed. Later, even under Muslim rule, the rituals continued, albeit with interruptions. A tragic incident involving a Muslim prince and a temple devotee led to the Shiv Linga being moved to a nearby village. For centuries, the temple remained without its presiding deity.

It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the idol was reinstated, and the temple was restored to its former glory.

The Jalagandeswarar Temple’s intricate architecture, stunning sculptures, and rich iconography will be explored in the next post. Till then...

Happy travelling.

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