Tucked away from the cacophony of revving engines and honking, lies a picturesque shrine for Lord Vishnu. Perched atop the Yelagiri Hill at Elasarovaram, in Athanavoor village, off Vaniyambadi-Tirupattur Road, Vellore district, the Sri Yelagiri Thayar Samedha Sri Kalyana Venkataramana Perumal is set in sylvan surroundings. It is said that Lord Vishnu came all the way from the foothill to marry Yelagiri Thayar on the hill. Hence, the place was called as Yelasarovaram and the Goddess, Yelagiri Thayar. It is believed that those who offer prayers here and perform thirukalyanam for the deities will be blessed with a happy married life, progeny and wealth.
Nothing much is known about the temple’s history save the fact that a decade ago a group of devotees who visited the place on a mission to clear the foliage. While levelling the ground, they found an antique lamp covered with mud. The team dug further to find a small mound in the form of a lingam. Their exploration made them believe that there once was a temple, perhaps over 200 years ago. Then the idea of erecting a new shrine in the place was mooted. The idol that was excavated was named Adi Kesava Perumal, who is seen on a hillock near the entrance to the temple (the actual site where the deity was found) on the Garuda mount with elephant Gajendra offering prayers. It signifies Gajendra Moksham.
It is learnt that a group of devotees including those from Salem, Tiruchi, Vellore, Vaniyambadi and Chennai undertook the task of constructing the temple. A Trust by the name ‘Yelagiri Thayar Charitable Trust’ was formed for the purpose and also to administer and maintain the shrine.
An arch with the temple’s name and a 43 ft dwajasthambam adorn the façade of this six-year-old shrine, which was consecrated in 2011. The moolavar (eight ft) of Sri Kalyana Venkataramana Perumal, seen in a standing posture, is carved out of single granite, weighing about six-and-a-half-tonne. The locals believe that the deity is seen in a standing posture facing the Tirumala Hills. A separate niche for the goddess is next to the perumal sannidhi. To His left is a shrine for Andal Nachiyar. The idols were carved by Selvam Sthapathi who hails from Theni.
While circumambulating the prakaram, one can see a few steps leading to the Ramanujar shrine adjacent to those of Manavala Mamunigal and Anjaneyar. Seated opposite to Perumal is Garudazhwar, offering his prayers. The pillars shoring up the canopy in front of the Perumal shrine depicts Dasavataram. The priest briefs the plans for constructing separate niches for Vishnu in all his ten avatars. Also on the anvil is the sprucing up of the tank, which has a statue of Kalinganarthana Krishnar in the middle and a mini-garden in the front.
Contributions are solicited for the purpose. Donations may be made in favour of Sri Yelagiri Thayar Charitable Trust.
Bank details: Yelagiri Thayar Charitable Trust, State Bank of India, Athanavur Branch, Yelagiri. Current account no. 3099 3568 220; IFSC: SBIN0006711.
For deposits in Chennai: the Trust name followed by the bank name: Oriental Bank of Commerce; Kilpauk Branch, Chennai. Current account no. 1213 1131 000531; IFSC: ORBC0101213. For details contact 094441 63542/97513 81447 or visit www.yelagiri thayartrust.com.
How to reach : Direct bus from Chennai to Yelagiri (220 km) leaves at 5.30 a.m. daily. Also buses bound for Tirupattur and Salem via Vellore, touch the place.
Government buses are available every half hour from Tirupattur to Yelagiri (Tariff Rs. 18)
For those travelling by train, Jolarpettai is the nearest railway station and one might board trains that are bound for Coimbatore or Bengaluru enroute Jolarpettai.
Auto tariff will be Rs. 350 (four persons) and six-seater cab will be Rs. 750.
The temple is 14 km from the foothill.
Quick facts
Moolavar: Kalyana Venkataramanar
Utsavar: Yelasarodha Perumal
Thayar: Yelagiri Thayar
Place: Yelasarovaram
Located at: Yelagiri Hills, Vellore district
Temple time: 7 a.m. – 12 noon and 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Festivals
Ten-day Brahmotsavam is held during the month of Purattasi.
The Lord is taken out in a procession on different mounts on the occasion.
Special thirumanjanam to the moolavar on Fridays.
Andal tirukalyanam is performed on the penultimate day of Margazhi.
