Prologue - Vepanjeri Its Spiritual Back Ground

This four syllabled Kshetra is pregnant with rich and holy connotation. It is a combination of three Sansrik words, - Vem+Pancha+Hari. Vem means sins, pancha stands for five and Hari signifies destruction. It means, it is a holy place where the sins committed by man with his panchendrias are destroyed by the boundless compassion of Bhagawan Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, the Presiding Deity of the temple. As it enjoyed royal patronage and public donations, it touched the peak of fame and attracted lakhs of Bhaktas, who visited periodically and offered prayers, either to cross the unfordable hardships, or to redeeming the vows taken. It carved out a niche in the temple history of our Punya Bharat. Spiritualism enjoyed its heyday. For centuries, its glory remained undiminished. But with the galloping speed of materialism and craze for Westernisation, its splendour was scraped; religious fervour evaporated and Daivika Sakthi went up into high skies, towers fell down, doors cracked, walls embraced the Mother Earth and Archamurtis disappeared. Neither devotees visited nor ritualistic Pujas were offered. The entire area wore a forlorn look and became a haunted place, with owls making their settlement in that Holy Kshetra. Alas! Its sacred name Vempanchahari too became Vepanjeri, might be dictated for easy pronunciation. Ah! What a Plight! How much loss!! Whom to blame!!!

It is imperative now to have glimpse of its former status, for restoration of its glory and offer veneration due.