Veerakeralampudur Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman Temple, Tirunelveli

Address

Veerakeralampudur,

Tirunelveli district,

Tamil Nadu 627001

Amman

Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman

Introduction

Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman Temple is located at Veerakeralampudur Village in Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The village is surrounded by two rivers Chittar River and Hanumanathi. Both Hanumanathi and Chittar River merges rightly exactly in this village thus forming the major tributary to Thamirabarani River. Veerakeralampudur is located at about 22 Kms from Tenkasi, 48 Kms from Thirunelveli, 170 Kms from Madurai and 130 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tenkasi. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram

Puranic Significance

Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman is one of the famous village deities. It is believed to be a form of Ambika and Kali. According to the Ramayana, Rishi Gautama once went to take bath in the river Ganges early morning. The king of the Devas, Indra, was fascinated with Gautama’s wife, Ahalya. Indra came in the form of Gautama and made love to Ahalya. As he was escaping, he was caught by Rishi Gautama who was returning to the Ashramam from his bath. Gautama cursed Ahalya and Indra both for this act. Ahalya was converted to stone, while Indra was cursed with one thousands of female genitalia (Sahasrayoni). Later, taking pity on both, Gautama converted both these curses. Indra curse was converted to thousands of eyes he came to be known as Sahasraksha. As for Ahalya, Gautama granted her the boon that she would be liberated by the touch of the feet of Lord Rama (Lord Vishnu). To get rid of sin, he came down to earth and reached Arjunapuri (Kadayanallur) Sthalam and he consecrated two Shiva Lingas namely Neelamani Nathar and Arunachaleswarar and worshipped these Lingas. Then he installed Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman in Northern side and created a pond in north eastern side. Indra got rid of his sin by worshipping these Shiva Lingas and Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman.

Special Features

Vadakku Vasal Selvi Amman Temple is located on the Northern Side of the Village. Selvi Amman graces in the form of Bhadrakali Amman and Neelakandeswari graces in the form of Sakthi. She is also called as Uthradwara Palini. Both the shrines are located opposite to each other. She is holding Trishula and Vibhoothi Bowl in her hands. Shrines for Ganapathy, Nagars, Bhairava and Karupusamy are located in the Temple. Thala Vriksham is Neem Tree. Theertham is Chitraru River. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.