Shevaroy Temple, Yercaud: History, Timings & the Chitra Pournami Festival

The Shevaroy Temple (also known as Servarayan Temple) is an ancient cave shrine situated at the highest point of the Shevaroy hills in Yercaud, at an altitude of 5,326 feet. It is dedicated to Lord Servarayan and Goddess Kaveri, and draws tribal devotees and tourists alike.

Key Temple Facts

• Deities: Lord Servarayan (the hill deity) and Goddess Kaveri (representing the Cauvery river)
• Structure: A narrow, dark, natural rock cave where visitors must bend to enter
• Age: Believed by locals to be roughly 2,000 years old
• Timing: Open daily 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM (approximate closing up to 8:00 PM)

Highlights & Significance

• Scenic drive: The route to the hilltop features sharp hairpin bends, mist-covered roads, and panoramic views of Yercaud town and nearby valleys.
• Annual festival: A major tribal festival takes place here every year in May (during Chitra Pournami), bringing thousands of pilgrims from surrounding villages.
• Mythology: Local belief holds that the small cave tunnel extends all the way underground to the Cauvery River in neighboring Karnataka.