Vedapureeswarar Temple, Cheyyar

The Vedapureeswarar Temple stands in Thiruvadhipuram on the northern bank of the Cheyyar river, in the town of Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai district, formerly known as Thiruvothur. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, and its deity is said to have taught the meaning of the Vedas here. Legend tells that the saint Thirugnanasambanthar worked a miracle at this place, turning a male palm tree into a female one, and Arunagirinathar, the devotee of Murugan, also worshipped here.

The temple has some unusual features. Its Nandi faces away from the Shiva lingam rather than towards it, and devotees can worship all five Pancha Bhoota lingams in one place. Each year the town holds a ten-day Brahmotsavam with street processions; the sixth, seventh and tenth days are the grandest, the seventh being the chariot festival, Thiruther, and the tenth held at night.