Ashta Lakshmi

Sri Maha Periyaval, the Sage of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Chandrasekara Saraswati, had wished for the temple to be built. The devotees laid the foundation with zeal and devotion.

The temple foundation was laid in January 1974. The temple consecration took place on April 5, 1976, in the presence of the 44th Guru of the Ahobila Mutt Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesikan Swami.

After the temple was built, the temple authorities performed the Jeernotharana Ashtabandana Mahakumbhabhishekam. A total of 32 Kalasams were newly laid in the temple. They included a gold-plated Kalasam 5.5 feet high on top of the sanctum sanctorum.

According to the Vedas and Puranas, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean when the Devas and Asuras were churning the Milky Ocean. Mahavishnu married Goddess Lakshmi, and they fulfilled the desires of the devotees.

Goddess Ashtalakshmi is the deity who grants the Ashtama Siddhi (eight-fold achievements) and Ashta Aishwaryam (eight-fold wealth). As both Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi in her eight forms reside in this temple, the temple is called the Ashtalakshmi Temple.

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple of Vellore is situated in a place called “Malaikodi”. The temple held its consecration on the 24th of August in the year 2007. This ceremony was attended by thousands of devotees. Thus, the Golden Temple history does not date back to the era of Vijayanagara kings when the majority of the construction in the city was done.

The temple has been done by highly adept artisans. They have done intricate and manual work to create this mammoth. The temple has been built on 100 acres of land. It has been designed by a Vellore-based architect, Sri. Narayani Peedam. This has been advanced by Sri Sakthi Amma, also known Narayani Amma, who is a Vellore-based religious leader.

The forehead or crown of the Temple has some of the most intricate designs ever seen in the Indian construction. It is carved with complex art forms in gold and silver. The development of this awe-inspiring forehead was completed on 24th August 2007. It is believed that more than 1500 kg. of gold was used to make the forehead.

The crown of Sri Lakshmi Golden Temple is called “Vimanam” or “Ardha Mandapam”. This crown is one of the biggest temple crown in the history of architecture. The temple is the storehouse of the diety of Sri Lakshmi Narayani. Sripuram Golden Temple was built in a time frame of 7 years. This period is considerably small when considering the construction of other massive buildings and temples like Taj Mahal was completed in 22 years, Golden Temple, Amritsar was completed in around 10 years etc.

Sripuram Golden Temple was built in a time frame of 7 years. This period is considerably small when considering the construction of other massive buildings and temples like Taj Mahal was completed in 22 years, Golden Temple, Amritsar was completed in around 10 years etc.

The temple is situated at an apt location. The location of the temple has been decided by taking “Vastu” , which is a traditional Hindu system of architecture into account. Sri Lakshmi Golden Temple has been built in the center of a star-shaped path so that it absorbs a lot of positive energy from nature. This star-shaped path is called “Sri Chakra”. The path to the temple stretches for around 1.8 km.

The Vellore Golden Temple history elucidates that this location is a source of peace, tranquility and relaxation for the devotees. It is believed that ardent devotees who walk through this star-shaped path are blessed to read the messages of justice and truth which allow them to transform into powerful and supreme creatures. The penultimate goal is to kindle concrete faith in Almighty and the ultimate aim is to change people.

Sundaravarada Perumal temple

As per Hindu legend, Sundara Varada Perumal temple is closely associated with Mahabharata, an epic. Bhima, the Pandava prince in Mahabharata worshipped Vishnu at this place. There are three Varadas around the main sanctum in the ground floor namely Achyuta Varada, Anirudhha Varada and Kalyana Varada, who are believed to have given relief to Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, the other three Pandava princes. The consort presiding deity, Anandavalli is believed to have appeared for Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. The images of the three Varadas are located around the sanctum in cardinal directions. A flight of steps lead to each of them. The temple was originally called Vellai Vishnugraham (place for the fair deity) and the presiding deity was called Vellaimurthi Embiran, Vellaimurthy Alvar, Rajendra Chola Vinnagar Alvar and Sokka Perumal.

Uthiramerur was ruled by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Sambuvarayas, Vijayanagara Rayas, and Nayaks. As per the inscriptions in the temple, the Pallava king Nandivarman II (720–796 CE) established the village around 750 CE. It is believed that he donated the village to Vedic Brahmins from Srivaishanva community. There is a mention about four Pallava kings up to 900 CE. There are a total of 25 inscriptions from the Pallava period. The temple was built by Nandivarman II modeled from the Vaikuntantha Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. From the inscriptions, it is also learnt that the temple was built according to Agamic principles by the architect Takshaka of Pataka and with expert consultation with the Agamic tradition in the village. The Cholas captured the region and it came under their dominion during the later part of 9th century. There are inscriptions from the period of Parantaka Chola I (907–950), Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014), Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044) and Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120) indicating various gifts to the temples. The process of democratically electing the local representatives through a system called Kudavolai during the Chola regime is documented in the inscriptions.

The region and the village went under the sway of Pandyas during the 13th century and subsequently to the Telugu Chola ruler Vijaya Gandagopala. He renamed the village of Gandagopala Chaturvedhi Managalam. During the later period, the village switched hands to Pallava chieftains, Telugu Cholas, Samburavarayars and finally Kumara Kampana. The Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya (1502–29) made contributions to the Sundaravarada temple, Subhramanya temple and Kailasanatha temple in the village. The village was the scene of war between Lingma and Yachama during the 17th century. The Carnatic Wars were fought in the nearby Vandavasi between the British and the French during the 18th century. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Based on the inscriptions, the temple has been addressed by many names, like Vellai Vishnugraham, Vellai Murthi Emperan, Vellaimurthi Alvar, Rajendra Chola Vinnagar Alvar and Sokka Perumal.

Koothanur Saraswathi Temple

The Koothanur Saraswathi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi (the deity of knowledge, music, and arts), is a unique and revered temple located in Koothanur, near Poonthottam in the Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is the only one in Tamil Nadu dedicated exclusively to Saraswathi and holds special significance for devotees, particularly students and artists seeking blessings for academic success and artistic talents.

Historical Significance The temple’s history is linked to the celebrated Tamil poet Ottakoothar (also known as Ottakoothan), a respected scholar and poet in the courts of the Chola kings during the 12th century. Legend has it that Ottakoothar was blessed by Saraswathi herself, and out of his deep reverence, he constructed a temple in her honor. The village of Koothanur is believed to be named after him, as “Koothan” in Tamil refers to Ottakoothar.

Over centuries, the temple gained prominence and was patronized by the Chola rulers and later by other regional dynasties. The temple’s history and legacy reflect the Tamil people’s longstanding reverence for knowledge, arts, and education.

Architectural Features The Koothanur Saraswathi Temple follows Dravidian architectural styles, though it is simpler in design compared to grander South Indian temples. The sanctum houses an exquisite black stone idol of Goddess Saraswathi, seated on a lotus and holding a veena (a traditional Indian musical instrument), symbolizing her role as the patroness of learning and arts.

Cultural and Religious Practices The temple attracts thousands of devotees, especially during the festival of Vijayadashami, also known as Ayudha Puja, which is considered auspicious for beginning new educational pursuits and artistic endeavors. During this time, young children are initiated into literacy through a traditional ritual known as “Aksharabhyasam” (the writing of the first letter). Devotees visit throughout the year to offer notebooks, pens, and pencils to Saraswathi, seeking her blessings for academic success.

Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

As per Hindu legend, the land around Srivilliputhur was under the rule of Queen Malli. The queen had two sons called Villi and Kandan. While the two were hunting in a forest, a tiger killed Kandan. Unaware of this, Villi searched for his brother, got tired and fell asleep. In his dream, divinity narrated to him what happened to his brother. By divine orders, Villi founded a city. The city is originally named after its founder, Villi forming the word Sri-Villi-Puthur.[4] Srivilliputtur is known by other names such as Varaha kshetram, Thenpuduvai, Vadeswarapuram, Vadamahadamapuram, Shenbagaranya kshetram, Vikrama chola chaturvedhi mangalam, and Sridhanvipuri.

As per the ancient scriptures, the place was referred as Varaha Kshetra. It was a dense forest named Champaka where the sages Bhrgu and Markandeya were doing penance and had their hermitages in the place. A demon named Kalanerai was troubling the sages and they prayed to Vishnu to relieve them from the demon. Vishnu was pleased by their devotion and appeared in the place to slay the demon. He is believed to have taken the abode in the forest reclining on Adisesha, his serpent bed, on the leaf of a banyan tree. The place thus came to be known as Vadaveshwarapuram.

Periyalvar (originally called Vishnuchittar) was an ardent devotee of Vishnu and he used to string garland to Vishnu every day. He was childless and he prayed to Vishnu to save him from the longing. One day, he found a girl child under a tulasi plant in a garden inside the temple. He and his wife named the child as Kothai, who grew up as a devotee of Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu. She is believed to have worn the garland before dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periyalvar, who later found it, was highly upset and remonstrated her. Vishnu appeared in his dream and asked him to dedicate only the garland worn by Andal to him. The girl Kothai was thus named Andal and was referred as Chudikodutha Sudarkodi (lady who gave her garland to Vishnu). The practise is followed during modern times when the garland of Andal is sent to Azhagar Koyil on Chitra Pournami day where the presiding deity Lord Kallazhagar entering into River Vaigai with the garland worn by Goddess Andal and Tirumala Venkateswara Temple during .It is also believed that Ranganatha of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple married Andal, who later merged with the idol. Andal was taken in a palanquin from Srivilliputhur to Srirangam before the marriage. Since Andal married Ranganatha, who came as a king (called Raja), the presiding deity is called Rangamannar.

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