16. VEDAL

VADAVA MUGA AGNEESWARAR TEMPLE'

Distance: 4kms from Kadapakkam, 45kms from Pondichery and 40kms from Kalpakkam

Shiva: Vadava Muga Agneeswarar

Amman: Vasantha Nayaki

Theertham: destroyed

Sthala Viruksham:

This temple is situated near the Vedal lake.

Speciality:

This temple was built during the Raja Raja Chola Period before the Thanjavur Brahadeeswarar Temple (approximately 994AD). The inscriptions of the temple of Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola is seen in the temple.

This temple is on the banks of the Vedaal Eari.

The temple Tank has been destroyed.

There is no Rajagopuram and a compound wall. The temple needs immediate attention.

There are inscriptions found on Nandhi Peetam, pillars and at the entrance.

Shiva faces east.

The village was named as Chola Kerala Chadurvedhimangalam in early days. In tamil records the place had a very big name - Jayam Konda Chola Mandalathu Eendhur Kottathu Vedaal Naattu Vedaal. The other names of this place were Neela Chadhurvedhimangalam and Veera Chola Chadhurvedhimangalam.

The Village was donated to the Brahmins for Vedic chanting and thereby the name Vedal has been obtained. 

In the Chola period the temple was very affluent and was worshipped by Kings, Rich people and devotees.

This is a Thoonganai Mada temple with Gajaprashta Vimanam. 

This is a brick temple but in a very dilapidated condition. 

The main deity Vadava Muga Agneeswarar is 6 feet high facing east on Padmapeedam. 

Since the lord is Agni Swaroopam only sandal abhishekam is performed. The curd rice prasadam is special in this temple.

The Shiva is also called Vada Vaayil Nayagar which means the guarding of the Northern enterance. 

The Ganesha Idol is very different here. instead of his Mushika Vaha his vahana here is an elephant. The trunk of Ganesha does not rest on his arms but found curled up on his tummy. 

The Ayudham of Muruga is Paasa Ayudham (istead of Vajrayudam and Shakthi ayudham) and holds rudhraksha in his other hands. People worship this Muruga for education related boons. 

The ambaal Vasanthanayaki faces south. 

There are 2 Ambaals in the Ambaal Sannidhi.

The nandhi is placed on a 4 feet tall pedestal. 

A huge Jyeshta devi is found half buried in the sand. Jyeshta Devi was a special deity worshipped during the Chola period. She was considered as the wife of Saneeswarar and worshipping her gives relief from all Dhoshas and hurdles in life. The Cholas considered her as Aadhi Pen Dheivam. She was also referred as Mudhevi meaning Muthadhevi. Worshipping her according to the Cholas removes all ill effects thereby providing goodness and prosperity to life. Later the ideology has changed.

There is a huge rock with inscriptions.

The Dhakshinamurthy is seen with his right leg placed on his left leg. 

This is a brick temple.

The Vinaman is so impressive even though in ruins. 

The pillars in front of Shiva contains inscriptions.

History:

In the Late Chola Period Ambaal Statue got damaged (crackes were found on the nose and fingers of the idol). Scholars insisted to replace the statue into a new one. The Goddess appeared in the form of a woman in the Kings dream and questioned him if he would send his mother away if she became disabled. The king suddenly woke up. He realised his mistake and ordered to place both the old and new idols in the same sannidhi for worship.