Friday, February 2, 2018

Chandramouleeswarar Temple, Ocheri, Vellore

Chandramouleeswarar Temple, Ocheri, Vellore
Chandramouleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Ocheri Village in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is surrounded by inner compound wall of more than 10 feet high on all four sides. There is a small footpath leading to the temple, rest of the area was surrounded by wild growth. There are remnants of walls, which should have once been an outer perimeter wall.


At the entrance to the temple on the eastern side, Nandikeswarar is seated majestically on a mandapam, the top of which can be seen in a shattered condition.  Behind Nandi, two raised platforms can be seen. One should have been the base for the Kodimaram, while the other one should have been a Balipeedam. The eastern gopuram is in a terribly bad shape, with only the brick works remaining.


Only the moolavar and a Vinayagar (inside the praharam) are available, other deities were missing. All the Panchaloka idols of the temple along with the stone idols of Amman, Chandikeswarar and Subramaniar were all stolen by idol thieves. The temple is situated on the outskirts of the village surrounded by paddy fields, with no human habitation nearby.  


The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Ocheri Bus Stop, 6 Kms from Kaveripakkam, 6 Kms from Kaveripakkam Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Sirukarumbur, 10 Kms from Dhamal, 26 Kms from Kanchipuram, 21 Kms from Ranipet, 46 Kms from Vellore and 93 Kms from Chennai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ranipet (22 Kms) and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai (83 Kms).