Vittala Temple Hampi: Timings, History & Architecture
The Vittala Temple in Hampi is a sacred place that is popular for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. Itβs…
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Mahadeva Malai Temple, Vellore, is a stunning Hindu temple in the rural town of Kankuppam, Tamil Nadu.
It is situated at the top of the Mahadeva Malai hill, which is stated to be an extension of the well-known Arunachal hill of Thiruvananamalai.
The principal deity here is Lord Shiva. As a renowned pilgrimage spot for Hindus, thousands of pilgrims approach this temple every year.
It is the residence of numerous festivals and functions. Veiled with a dense forest, the temple is much more than a worship place, which is deeply important in Tamil Nadu.
Offering prayer here ensures peace and prosperity in one’s life. Besides religious importance, the architecture and hilltop location of the temples make it a favourite destination for tourists.
Through this blog, we will discover the extraordinary Mahadeva Malai temple in Vellore. We will also discuss its history, darshan timing, and much more.
Mahadeva Malai Temple, Vellore, is available to its devotees all year round and allows prayers to be offered to Lord Shiva.
Several pujas and abhishekams are conducted in the temple on special days. Below are the darshan timings of the temple:
| Session | Timing | Details |
| Morning Darshan | 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Morning aarti and Abhishekam |
| Evening Darshan | 4:00 PM β 8:00 PM | Evening aarti and special puja |
Mahadeva Malai Temple is a significant hill temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the God of Gods. Located near Vellore, the temple offers a unique blend of spirituality and nature.
It lies to the west of Katpadi. The temple is estimated to be 500 years old and was constructed by one of the traders of the Pandya dynasty.
It is said that the idols of Shiva Lingam and Lord Nandi in the temple were naturally created. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped along with her beloved wife, Goddess Kamakshi.
In addition, they are also in the temple to worship Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan. Praying at this temple will bring good health, wealth, and tranquillity in life.
You need to take a short walk of around 20 minutes to get to the temple. The temple is better known for its spiritual significance as well as its Dravidian architecture, exquisite carvings, and picturesque landscape.
There are some ancient practices and legends that the temple holds that contribute to pilgrimage as an added attraction.
The temple of Mahadeva Malai is soaked in divine myths that reflect its religious importance.
According to myth, there was a merchant who was a true follower of Lord Shiva. He desires to obtain the darshan of Lord Shiva.
Hence, he was requested to go to Kalahasthi on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri. After which, he left for Kalahasthi and reached the place known as K.V. Kuppam.
While on his route to the pilgrimage, he asked a person how far the location is. He was told that the destination is still very far away.
It was already the day of Maha Shivratri. A merchant feels disappointed and sits due to not being able to reach Kalashasthi on the festival.
Thatβs when an aged man came to him and promised to offer him the divine darshan. Both of them climb the hill, and later, a merchant finds out that the aged man himself is Lord Shiva.
He directed the merchant to construct a temple on that spot. Therefore, that place later became known as βKeezh Vazhi Thunai Kuppamβ.
The history of the Mahadeva Malai temple is closely linked to the life and services of Mahananda Siddha. He was a saint born on December 6 in Dharmpuri district.
Being a turmeric merchant, he was a worshipper of Lord Shiva. By the age of thirty-five, he undertook the renovation of many temples in Tamil Nadu.
Additionally, he began services such as Annadhanam at the Lokuvakulam Bhradwajeeswarar temple in Kalshasthi.
During one night, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and blessed him to live for a thousand years.
He told him to go to Mahadeva Mount and live in a cave while worshipping him and protecting devotees.
Following his guidance, Mahananda Siddha went to Mahadeva Mount. There, Lord Shiva asked him to protect all the living creatures from suffering and diseases.
Known for his extraordinary practices, a sage proved that life would be possible even without food and water. He meditates on fire to get Prana and Amirta (nectar) from his mouth to feed his body.
He also built a set of steps to climb the temple and offer a hundred or a thousand devotees daily. From then on, he has been known as the protector of the Mahadev Malai temple.
The temple has great significance in the life of Lord Mahadev devotees and spiritual seekers.
Furthermore, the presence of Mahanada Siddha as guardians in a divine form also provides a distinctive identity to this site to make it a holier place to worship Lord Shiva. Its chief deity, Shiva Lingam and Nandi, is both Swayambhu, i.e., self-incarnated.
Numerous devotees believe that his penance and blessings generate a positive vibration within the temple and provide relief from pain and diseases.
The main reason behind the significance of the temple is the fact that Lord Shiva himself realized this location as his dwelling place.
With Goddess Kamakshi installed here as her spouse, the shrine symbolises peace and blessings for the household.
In spiritual aspects, the Mahadev Malai temple is a living symbol of faith, divine protection, and acceptance.
The daily Annadhanam and peaceful atmosphere of the temple make a unique blend of community services and devotion.
The temple of Mahadeva Malai unites the natural beauty with the conventional Dravidian architecture.
Its architectural design can still be perceived in the temple’s craftsmanship. Key architectural and structural highlights include:
Planning to visit Mahadeva Malai Temple? Want to know the ideal timing to plan your visit? Then let us tell you that the best time to visit the temple is in the winter season.
The weather from December to February is very pleasant and makes the trip more peaceful.
Additionally, to get the best exposure, you can visit during the festivals such as Maha Shivratri and Panguni Uthiram.
We suggest that you plan your trip during the early morning to avoid crowds and for a peaceful darshan.
The Mahadeva Malai temple is situated close to Katpadi, 21 km from Vellore city. It is well-connected to both locals and travellers.
1. By Road
The temple is well-connected by road to its surrounding cities such as Katpadi, Vellore, and Gudiyatham. You can go by private taxi, car, or bus.
The temple arch is 19 km from the Gudiyatham highway, and if coming from Gudiyatham town, it will be 11 km from Katpadi.
2. By Rail
Katpati Junction is the closest railway station and is 12 km away from the main temple.
It also has daily trains running from the major cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Tirupati. You can book a taxi or a private cab from there to reach the temple.
3. By Air
If you are travelling using this mode of transport, then Chennai International Airport is the closest airport. It is about 150 km from Vellore, and a bus or taxi can be booked to reach the main temple.
4. Trekking Route
Travellers can either drive up to the temple or even opt for the tracking route built by Mahanada Siddha.
It is a route covered in greenery and offers some fantastic views of nature during the journey.
The grand festive celebration at the Mahadeva Malai temple is something worth experiencing. Below we have mentioned some of them:
Pradosham: As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the thirteenth day of Tryodashi, the lunar fortnight. On this day, a holy bath is offered to Lord Shiva with curd, milk, honey, ghee, and more.
Karthigai Deepam: Just like Diwali, it is a festival of light for Tamil people. The temple shines out with hundreds of diya, and a special prayer is offered to the Shiva lingam.
Navaratri: The nine-day festival to honour Goddess Kamakshi. It is a celebration of divine feminine energy and includes different offerings and traditions each day.
While on your trip to Mahadeva Malai Temple, you can visit some of the surrounding places, such as:
The Sripuram Golden Temple, also called the Sri Lakshmi Narayan Temple, is 15 km from Vellore. It is dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
The thing that caught the attention of the pilgrims was the pure-gold structure of the temple, made of 1500 kg of gold.
Jalakandeswarar temple is one of the ancient temples in Vellore. It is a worship place of Lord Shiva, known for its detailed carving and Dravidian-style architecture. The temple also has a water tank with a circumference of 8000 ft.
For animal lovers, there is a mini zoo situated 25 km away from Vellore. The area is surrounded by greenery and provides a small picnic space for travellers.
Situated in the heart of Vellore, the historic place is said to date back to the 16th century.
Its huge walls, wide moat, and beautifully blended different religions make it worth visiting. If you are also a history lover, then it must be a place.
The Mahadeva Malai temple in Vellore is one of the most paramount temples in Tamil Nadu. It is a holy place built to honour Lord Shiva by one of the traders of the Pandya dynasty.
As mentioned earlier, the myths of Mahananda Siddha and the rooted past make it a highly important place for followers of Lord Shiva.
Not only that, but the beautiful place at the top of the hill and the architecture of Dravidian style have drawn thousands of people to this religious site.
Whether youβre going there to seek blessings or explore as a traveller, the temple welcomes everyone with open hearts.
From the stunning beauty to the grand festival celebrations, the temple adds charm to your spiritual journey.
However, we will recommend doing darshan in the morning to avoid the crowd. So plan your spiritual journey to Mahadev Malai Temple today.
We hope this article has provided you with all the information that you are looking for. Connect with 99Pandit for all kinds of puja services.
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