Monday, July 10, 2017

Baradwajeeswarar Temple, Pudhupadi, Vellore

Baradwajeeswarar Temple, Pudhupadi, Vellore
Baradwajeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Pudhupadi in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Baradwajeeswarar and Mother is called as Dharmasamwardhni. The temple is located on the Southern Banks of Palaru, between Arcot and Pudhupadi. The place was full of Mango Tree in the forest, so the place was known as Amra Vanam. The temple is believed to be 1600 years old. 

Legends
Once, Goddess Parvathy penanced at Kanchipuram (Prithvi Sthalam) which is one of the Pancha Boodha Sthalam. Lord was pleased with her penance and married her. Rishi’s and Devas from heaven came down to Kanchi, to participate in the heavenly marriage of Lord Siva and Kamakshi Ammai. The place was so crowded; Rishi’s who came to participate in the marriage stayed in the forest near to Kanchipuram. They had to perform their daily rituals unobstructed. Each one of them chose a place in the forest to worship Lord Siva. All six places where they worshiped are known as Shada Aranyam. Since Six Rishi’s worshiped Swayambu Lingam in these six places it is considered holy to visit and worship Lord Siva here. The temples in these places were big in size with Rajagopurams once. Bharadhwaja Muni installed a Siva Lingam and worshiped Lord Siva in standing posture. There is a statue for Bharadhwaja muni in the temple in standing posture.
The Temple
Main Deity here is Swayambu Lingam known as Baradwajeeswarar. Mother is called as Dharmasamwardhni. The main sanctum is in Gajabrushta form. Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshina Moorthy and Vishnu are the other Deities seen in this temple. This temple contains many inscriptions dating from 10th century A.D. Bharadhwaja Muni installed a Siva Lingam and worshiped Lord Siva in standing posture. There is a statue for Bharadhwaja muni in the temple in standing posture.


Temple Opening Time
The temple is opened from 6.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The devotee may get in touch with the priest in advance for convenient darshan of the Lord.
Festivals
Shivarathri is celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. Besides this temple, on Shivarathri day, devotees also visit simultaneously other nearby Shiva temples at Karai, Veppur, Gudimallur, Melvisharam, Vannivedu and Avarakkarai. To facilitate darshan to the devotees, all the temples are kept open during the whole night.
Connectivity
The temple is located on the Southern Banks of Palaru, between Arcot and Pudhupadi. The Temple is located at about 30 Kms from Vellore, 9 Kms from Ranipet, 10 Kms from Walajah, 22 Kms from Kaveripakkam, 27 Kms from Sirukarumbur, 7 Kms from Arcot, 35 Kms from Sholinghur, 60 Kms from Arakkonam, 60 Kms from Thiruthani and 121 Kms from Chennai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Walajah and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.

References