The original Vedapureeswarar temple stood near the sea-facing quarters and dated to antiquity, receiving patronage from the Chola, Pallava, and Vijayanagara dynasties. In September 1748, during the Carnatic Wars and the tenure of French Governor Joseph François Dupleix, French colonial forces demolished the ancient temple to fortify administrative enclosures.
Deeply moved by this cultural loss, the local Tamil community, championed by court diarist Ananda Ranga Pillai and respected civic leaders, relentlessly petitioned the French government for permission and land to reconstruct their sacred shrine. In 1788, reconstruction began at the current site on MG Road, culminating in the consecration of the sanctum in accordance with strict Shaiva Agamas. The reconstructed shrine preserved several original stone sculptures and the sacred Swayambhu Shiva lingam rescued from the original complex.
