Kondapuram Pancha Lingeswarar Temple, Vellore

Address

Kondapuram, Kaveripakkam,

Vellore district, Tamilnadu- 604 001

Mobile: +91 95977 12495

Moolavar

Pancha Lingeswarar (Main deity is Chidambaram Akasa Lingam)

Amman

Sri Kamakshi

Introduction

The Pancha Lingeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Kondapuram Village, near Kaveripakkam in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is renowned for housing five separate Lingams, each enshrined in its own shrine, symbolizing the Pancha Boodhas (five elements).

The temple is situated about 1 km from the Kaveripakkam Bus Stand, 3 km from Thiruparkadal, 18 km from Walajah Railway Station, and 90 km from Chennai Airport. It is conveniently located on the Chennai-Bangalore highway, approximately 1 km after Murugan Idly Shop near Kaveripakkam.

Puranic Significance

The Pancha Lingeswarar Temple is an ancient and historically significant place of worship, with the temple’s original structure having been reconstructed in recent years. The mandapa surrounding the Shiva Linga sannadhis (shrines) features a unique blend of architectural styles, including Chozha, Pallava, and Vijayanagara pillars. Although there are no inscriptions found in the temple’s base, a fragment of an inscription dating back to the Chozha period (11th-12th century) was discovered near a well.

According to a recent inscription on the Rajagopuram (tower), the temple has strong ties to a local legend:

The Legend of Kamakshi Ambal:
In ancient times, the area now known as Kondapuram was referred to as Thiruveni Chaturvedi Mangalam, a part of Kaveripakkam and believed to be sacred for worship. According to the legend, Kamakshi Ambal created the Pancha Lingams, each representing one of the Pancha Boodhas (five elements)—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space—and worshipped them here before beginning her severe penance near the Kamba River.

Temple Features

The Pancha Lingeswarar Temple is a small but beautiful structure, featuring a three-tiered Rajagopuram and a series of shrines dedicated to various deities:

Five Lingas (Pancha Lingams):
Each Linga is enshrined in its own separate shrine, representing the five elements:
- Prithvi (Earth)
- Appu (Water)
- Agni (Fire)
- Vayu (Air)
- Akasha (Space) (represented by the Linga in the Chidambaram style, considered the main sanctum)
Other Deities:
- Kamakshi Ambal: Two shrines dedicated to Kamakshi, one of them with an idol of the goddess.
- Lord Ganesha
- Lord Murugan with Valli and Devasena
- Natarajar
- Navagrahas (Nine Planets)
Divine Niche Images: The walls of the temple contain niche images of Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, and Brahma.
Temple Pond: A sacred pond is situated on the south side of the temple complex.
Kanchi Maha Swamigal Mandapam: An adjacent mandapam commemorates the time the revered Kanchi Maha Swamigal spent here.

Beliefs

Devotees visit the temple to offer prayers for relief from planetary afflictions. One significant practice is the lighting of 27 ghee lamps, each corresponding to the individual’s Rasi (astrological sign), as a way to alleviate planetary issues and gain divine blessings.

Special Features

Main Sanctum: The sanctum of the Akasha (Space) Linga is the primary sanctum of the temple. It is distinguished by the presence of a Palipedam, Dwajasthambam (flagpole), and Rishabam (Nandi) in the sanctum, which faces east.
Temple Layout:
- Vinayagar and Dakshinamurthy are enshrined in the main sanctum’s devakoshtam (side shrines).
- Durga Devi is also present as one of the main deities.