Vedanarayana Perumal Anoor

Vedanarayana Perumal, Anoor

Vaishnavite Temples, Cheyyur Taluk

God

Vedanarayana Perumal, facing east

Goddess

Sreedevi and Bhoodevi with the main deity

Other Deities

Garuda, Azhwars, Vishwaksenar

Vedanarayana Perumal Anoor is an ancient temple which has dilapidated to a large extent now. This used to be an important temple in the ancient past. A single prakaram encloses the sanctum which has quite a bit of plants growing on it. The main deity Vedanarayana Perumal with 4 hands is in sitting posture and so are his consorts. The mantapa in front has many nice carvings, but require attention to save and safeguard. The walls have also collapsed on one side. The entrance is through a gateway outside which is a stone Dwajasthambam with Garuda, Anjaneya, Conch and Discus carved on the four sides. We learnt that some idols were stolen a few years back from here. A large Vinayaka idol and Vishnu idols are kept outside in the mantapa. Idols from a nearby and lost Rama temple are also kept here. We were informed by the locals that the processional deity of Vedanarayana Perumal is taken to the nearby Palar river during the annual festival and kept in a Mantapa on the banks for performing rituals and brought back. We could not locate this Mantapa.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Vedanarayana Perumal Anoor has many stone inscriptions around the main sanctum sanctorum. The inscriptions are from the Chola Period, the earliest being that of Rajaraja Chola in the 10th Century CE. These mention contributions for regular conduct of rituals, an appointment of scholars for the teaching of Vedas, an appointment of temple musicians for the daily rituals, the presence of a mutt and a victory of Rajaraja Chola. We found some of these inscriptions were not in proper position, orientation damaged and learnt that a renovation work carried on in 1933 could have contributed to these flaws. The place and temple have been referred to as Adiyur, Satyasrayakulakala Chaturvedimangalam and Chitramezhi Vinnagaram.

Legend

The name of the lord at Vedanarayana Perumal Anoor could have come from the fact that there used to be a Vedic school functioning here in the Chola Period.

Directions

Vedanarayana Perumal Anoor is 12 kilometers south of Chingleput on the east bank of the Palar River.

Stay and Food

None locally. Chingleput has some restaurants.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples