Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore

Jalakandeswarar Temple
Jalakandeswarar Temple Location in Tamil Nadu
Name
Other names	Vellore Fort Temple Fort Temple
Proper name	Jalakandeswarar Temple
Tamil	ஜலகண்டேஸ்வரர் கோவில்
Geography
Coordinates	12°55′14″N 79°07′41″E / 12.9206477°N 79.1279232°E / 12.9206477; 79.1279232Coordinates: 12°55′14″N 79°07′41″E / 12.9206477°N 79.1279232°E / 12.9206477; 79.1279232
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Vellore
Location	Vellore Fort
Culture
Primary deity	Lord Shiva as Jalakandeswarar
Architecture
Architectural styles	Vijayanagaram Architecture
Number of temples	04162223412,2234537,09443230192
History and governance
Date built	1550 AD
Creator	Bommi Reddy

Jalakandeswarar Temple (Tamil: ஜலகண்டேஸ்வரர் கோவில்) is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is located in the Vellore Fort, Tamil Nadu State, India.

The temple of the Vijaynagar period stands inside the Vellore Fort, which is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India, along with the St. John's Church, Tippu Mahal, Hyder Mahal, Candy Mahal, Badhusha Mahal and the Begum Mahal.

According to legend, there used to a giant ant-hill at the location where the sanctum sanctorum of temple now stands. This ant-hill was surrounded by stagnant water, as a result of collection of rain water, and at some time a Shiva Lingam was placed in this water around the ant hill and worshiped. Chinna Bommi Nayaka, a Vijayanagar chieftain, who was controlling the fort had a dream where the Lord Shiva asked him to build a temple at that location. Nayaka, proceeded to demolish the anthill and build the temple in 1550 AD, and since the Lingam was surrounded by water (called Jalam in Tamil) the deity was called as Jalakandeswarar (translated as "Lord Siva residing in the water"). The temple was built during the reign of the Vijayanagaram king Sadasivadeva Maharaya (1540 - 1572 AD). The temple also has the statue of Sri Akhilandeshwari Amma, the consort of Jalakandeswarar.

The Jalakanteshwara Temple is a fine example of Vijayanagaram Architecture. The temple has exquisite carvings on its gopuram (tower), richly carved stone pillars, large wooden gates and stunning monoliths and sculptures. These Vijayanagara sculptures are similar to the ones present in Soundararajaperumal Temple, Thadikombu, Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple, Srivilliputhur Divya Desam and Alagar Koyil. The Gopuram of the tower is iver 100 ft. in height. The temple also has a Mandapam, with the hall supported by carved stone pillars of dragons, horses and yalis (lion like creature).