Located 5kms North of Vazhapadi off the Salem- Attur highway is the centuries old Ashtabhuja Venugopalaswamy in Belur on the Northern banks of the Vellai River. The temple’s legend is believed to date back to Arjuna and the Mahabaratha.
The story goes that Arjuna who was to perform a pooja invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva to repent for his killings came to this place. Looking for sacred water, he was directed by Lord Krishna to strike an arrow towards the North. Upon his strike, flowed clean water from the Aran Ootru Malai, that was said to be as white as milk. He performed an abhisheka for Lord Shiva at the temple opposite the Ashtabhuja Venugopalan temple.
Another story goes that Sage Vashista performed a yagna at this place, which then became a mount. The mount where the yagna took place is now referred to as Kottai Medu. Vellai Aaru has also come to be known as Vashista River after the Sage’s Yagna here.
Interesting feature
An interesting feature at this temple is that Lord Venugopalan is seen holding a sugarcane in his left hand said to be a symbol of Manmada’s arrow. Belief is that those who visit this temple and offer sincere prayers will be liberated from Kama.
A lot of the ancient moorthies at this temple including that of Lord Vinayaka are believed to date back to the period of the successful Karnataka rulers.
Garuda slightly away
Garuda is seen standing away and not directly in line with the Moolavar moorthy. The moorthy of Anjaneya who is seen in an Abhaya Hastha Posture is said to date back to the Vijaya Varma Period.
Festivals
Margazhi 30days Thirumanjanam
Satyanarayana Pooja every Full Moon Day
Thirumanjanam every Rohini
Vaikunta Ekadesi
Puratasi Saturdays attract big devotee crowd
When here, also visit Lakshmi Gopalan temple at Ethapur just under 10kms East
Quick Facts
Moolavar: Ashtabhuja Venugopalaswamy East Facing Standing Posture
Thaayar : Maragadavalli Thaayar
Time : 7am-12noon and 430pm-730pm
Contact : Srinivasa Bhattar @ 98946 89629 / Sekar Bhattar @ 96775 54839
How to reach there ?
Share Auto every 5 minutes from Vazhapadi railway station
All Karmandurai bound buses stop in front of the Belur temple
Auto from Vazhapadi will cost Rs. 70.
Courtesy:Sri S.Prabhu
Namaskars.