There are temples that one may visit in their lifetime, but it is only a few whose images come to mind immediately when you close your eyes. A lake by its side; a huge temple tank right in front; the beautiful ancient Gaja Brishta brick temple with a magnificent Vadavamukhagneeswara and in contrast, a gentle and graceful Goddess Vasanthanayaki.
The sun was about to set when we reached Vedal, in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. As we got closer, we could see the huge rock with inscriptions to the right of the temple. Located in a place once called Jayamkonda Chola Mandalathu Eendhur Kottathu Vedaal Naatu Vedaal and Chola Kerala Chaturvedi Mangalam, this temple dates back before the time of Raja Raja Chola and has inscriptions from both his and Rajendra Chola I’s time. The practice of Cholas had been to convert brick temples into stone temples. Surprisingly, this is one that has been left untouched.
To the left of the temple, one can see a huge Jyesta Devi, half buried in the sand. One can also see a cracked-up stone panel depicting the Saptha Kannis lying in the sand in front of the temple, covered in dust. The temple has only two shrines; one for the magnificent Vadavamukhagneeswara and the other for his consort, Vasanthanayaki.
The first, also named Vadavayilnayagar (guardian of the northern entrance), bears resemblance to its once glorious past. The pillars in the mandapa ahead of the sanctum sanctorum also contain inscriptions. The main shrine is flanked by Ganesha and Shanmuga on either side. It is extremely interesting to note that the trunk of this Ganesha does not rest on any of his arms as is usually depicted, but is curled up on his tummy. Instead of the Mooshika, he has an elephant as his vahana. The Balamurugan on the other side has a japamala in one hand and a paasa in the other, unlike in other temples.
The magnificent lord sits facing the east with only a Rudraksha Mala adorning him. What would have been a sanctum sanctorum that once saw several festivals and a Lord who would have been adorned in the best of robes and jewellery, he now sits humbly, yet regally, waiting for devotees. My heart skipped a beat, when I saw the deep crack from the roof going down the back of the temple slashing through the Gaja Brishta. This Dakshinamoorthy, said to date back to the 9th Century, is seen with his right leg placed on his left. Chandikeswara stands alone in the open air, in his usual position, with no roof over his head.
The stones used as tank bund also seem to have been removed from the temple and contain remains of inscriptions. The shrine of Vasanthanayaki is a contrast to Vadavamukhagneeswara—there are two goddesses, instead of one. During the times of Raja Raja I, the Goddess Vasanthanayaki’s statue was damaged. Cracks developed on the nose and fingers of the idol and scholars recommended that it be immediately removed and replaced with a new idol. Just before the day the new idol was to be placed in the sanctum sanctorum, the King had a dream. The Goddess came to him in the form of a middle-aged woman, and asked, “Will you send your mother away if she became disabled?” The startled king woke up, and at dawn, ordered that the new idol must be placed without removing the old idol. So till date, there are two Vasanthanayakis in the same sanctum sanctorum.
Timings: The temple opens in the morning for a single Kala puja. The priest, Manikanda Gurukkal, is happy to be contacted over phone prior to visit, so that he is available to open the temple for anyone who wishes to worship here. Contact: 94430 74074/ 99443 26789
This temple seeks patronage from all, so that the efforts initiated by the villagers to restore it to its lost glory may be fulfilled. You may send in your contributions through cheque/demand draft favouring Aalayam Kanden Trust payable at Chennai Or Via Bank Transfer to Account No.6028000100005596, Punjab National Bank, West Mambalam Branch, Chennai 600033, IFSC Code: PUNB0602800. Email: aalayamkanden@gmail.com.