Jalakandeswarar temple inside Vellore Fort in Tamilnadu

Jalakandeswarar Temple is a Vijaynagar period Lord Shiva temple inside the Vellore Fort in Tamil Nadu State, India.

Jalakandeswarar Temple , Vellore, Tamilnadu
Jalakandeswarar Temple , Vellore, Tamilnadu

Tamil Nadu state government has taken over the administration of the Temple through a government order. The Archaeological Survey of India maintains the temple structure.

It is believed there was a giant ant hill where the temple’s sanctum now stands, surrounded by stagnant rainwater. Shiva Lingam (lord Shiva idol) was placed in these waters around the ant hill, and people started working and worshipping there. Vijayanagar chieftain, Chinna Bommi Nayaka, who controlled the Vellore fort then, had a dream in which Lord Shiva asked him to construct a temple there. Chinna Bommi Nayaka proceeded with the temple construction and demolished the anthill in 1550 AD, The temple got its name from the Lord Shiva Lingam and was surrounded by water (Jalam in Tamil). Jalakandeswarar when translated to English, means “Lord Siva residing in the water”. Sadasivadeva Raya (1540 – 1572 AD) was the Vijaynagar king then. The temple also has the idol of Sri Akhilandeshwari Amma, the consort of Jalakandeswarar.

The architecture of the Jalakanteshwara Temple is that of Vijayanagaram Architecture. The temple is famous for its exquisite Gopuram (tower) carvings. The stone pillars are richly carved. , the temple will make you spellbound with its sculptures and monoliths. The temple tower has a height of more than 100 feet. The temple hall (Mandapam) is built on carved stone pillars of horses, dragons, and lion creatures known as yalis.

The temple is situated in a water tank. There is a two faced sculpture of a bull and an elephant, in the Kalyana Mantapam (wedding hall).

There is an earthen lamp that revolves when some people put their hands on it, and it is believed that their wishes have been granted. To get rid of ‘sarpa dosham’, devotees worship the snake sculptures and the golden and silver lizard sculptures.

How Do I Go to Jalakandeswarar temple near Vellore?

Vellore is well connected by road and rail networks to the rest of the country. The nearest International airport is in Chennai. Jalakandeswarar temple is around three kilometers distance from the Kadpadi Junction Railway station, a major railway station in the state of Tamilnadu. Kadpadi Junction is the nearest railway station to Jalakandeswarar temple, at 7.1 kilometers distance.