Arapaleeswarar Temple,
Perambai, Puducherry
Arapaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Perambai near Osudu Lake in Villianur
Commune in Union Territory of Puducherry, India. Presiding Deity is called as Arapaleeswarar
/ Saptha Risheeswarar.
Legends
Perambai:
As per legend, Lord Rama stayed
in various places in Villupuram area during his exile and installed Shiva
Lingas in those places. It is said that Lord Rama stayed in this place. One
day, he hunted a boar and noticed two arrows got struck in its body. A hunter
came and demanded the boar belong him as he was the one who struck the boar
first. The hunter stated Lord Rama that his arrow is bigger which killed the
boar. Hence, the boar could not be given to Lord Rama.
Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva
for a solution. The hunter got turned into a Linga and boar got disappeared
suddenly. Lord Rama understood the game played by Lord Shiva and worshipped the
Linga. As there was a discussion about the big arrow, the place came to be
called as Periya Ambu (Periya means big & Ambu means arrow). Later, got
corrupted to Perambai.
Arapaleeswarar:
Once, an elder person from this
village wanted to visit Arapaleeswarar Temple at Kollimalai. As the journey to
Kollimalai was arduous during olden days, the elder person could not visit the temple
due to his age. One day, he found a massive Linga in the corner of the village.
He brought the Linga near to his house and built a temple for it. He named the
Linga as Arapaleeswarar in memory of Arapaleeswarar of Kollimalai.
The
Temple
This temple is facing towards
east. Presiding Deity is called as Arapaleeswarar / Saptha Risheeswarar. He is
housed in a shed in the form of Linga. It is a Shodasa Linga (16 stripes on its
Bana).
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about at about 1.5 Kms from Osudu Eri Stop, 10 Kms from
Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 11 Kms from
Puducherry Airport and 147 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated on
Pondicherry Bus Stand to Vazhudavur Bus Route. Devotees can get down at Osudu Bus
Stop. The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from this Bus Stop.
PRTC Bus
18 A and 12 A is plying between Pondicherry Bus Stand to Thirukanur and
Pathukannu will stop at Osudu Eri Bus Stop. All the other private buses running
in this route also stops here. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this
Temple from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location