Jalantheeswarar Temple, Vellore: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

Jalanatheeswarar Temple (also called Thiruvooral) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva and located in Thakkolam, a village in Vellore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Jalanatheeswarar and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Giriraja Kannikambal. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

The temple complex, which is entered through a three-tiered gopuram (main gateway), covers approximately one acre. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Jalantheeswarar and his consort Giriraja Kannikambal being the most prominent. All the shrines are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls.

The temple has four daily rituals, at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals. The Brahmotsavam festival, celebrated during the month of Chittirai (April–May), is the most prominent.

The original complex is believed to have been built by the Pallavas, with later expansion from the Cholas; the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak period in the 16th century. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.