Tiruvenkadu Sri Swetharanyeswarar (Budha Navagrahastalam )Temple(Mercury)- Mayiladuthurai

Address

Tiruvenkadu Sri Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvengadu, Tamil Nadu 609114, Phone: 04364 256 424

Diety

Swetharanyeswarar, Amman: Kunthalambika, Nithya Kalyani.

Introduction

Swetharanyeswarar Temple is dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thiruvenkadu, a village in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Swetharanyeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Brahmavidyambigai. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the Navagraha Stalas, and specifically Budha. The temple complex covers around two acres and entered through a seven-tiered gopuram, the main gateway. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Swetharanyesarar, Aghora and that of Nataraja, being the most prominent. All the shrines and the three temple tanks of the temple are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls.

Puranic Significance

Swetharanyeswarar is the main God in this temple. It is said that Agora Murthi was one of the furious incarnation of Shiva. There was a demon named Maruthuvasuran in Thiruvengadu. He performed penance to please Brahma for attaining special powers. Pleased by his devotion, Brahma offered him special powers. Maruthuvasuran started misusing his powers to torture the saints and innocent people. All the suffering saints and people requested Shiva to put an end to their hardship. Shiva took an incarnation as Agoramurthi and killed Maruthuvasuran under a tree which is believed to be the place where Thiruvengadu temple is located. The place is called by other names like Swetaranyam, Adi Chidambaram and Nava Ntirya Stala.Indiran, Airavatan, Budha, Sooriyan and Chandiran are said to have worshipped Swetharanyeswarar here. As per another legend, Achyutha Kalappalar, a local chieftain was childless. His guru Sivacharya analyzed his horoscope and read out an ancient palm leaf manuscript. It had the verse of Sambandar, one of the major Saivite saints Nayanars. Chieftain was advised to pray at Venkadu to be blessed with a progeny. He prayed at the place along with his wife and was blessed with a boy. The boy later went on to write Sivagnana Bodham As per Hindu legend, Budhan, was the child of Chandran and Dharai. Dharai was originally the wife of Guru, but had an illicit relationship with Chandran. Dharai was directed by Shiva and Brahma to back to his husband Guru and she entrusted the child to Chandra. Budha grew up to learn his background and started hating his father Chandra. He did severe penance praying Shiva. Pleased by his devotion, Shiva blessed him to be a Navagraha.Brahma was blessed with divine power of learning (Vidya) by goddess Parvathi in the temple. Pillai Idikki Amman, an idol depicted hold a child on her hip is believed to be the depiction of Parvathi holding the child Sambandar when the latter called her Ammarom the stone inscriptions found inside this temple, it can be seen that the earlier Chola kings Aditya Chola and Rajaraja Chola made a lot of contributions to this temple. There are several shrines of significance in this well visited temple, including those to Durga and Kali. The image of Natarajar here is of great beauty. Worship to Aghoramurthy (Veerabhadrar) is said to be of significance on Sunday nights in this temple. As found in Chidambaram, there is also a shrine for Lord Vishnu near the shrine for Natarajar. This temple is known as Adi Chidambaram because before Shiva first danced here before dancing in ChidambaramThe temple has around hundred stone inscriptions from various dynasties from Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagara Empire king Krishnadevaraya.

Beliefs

The Soma Theertham and The Surya Theertham created by the Sun & the moon are of great significance here. It is believed that the Somakundam & Suryakundam referred to in Silappatikaaram refer to these tanks. Vilvam & Konrai are the other stala vrikshams here.

Special Features

Swetharanyeswarar temple is located in Thiruvenkadu, a village in the Sirkazhi – Poompuhar road. The temple occupies an area of 2 acres (0.81 ha) with all its shrines and water bodies housed inside granite walls. The temple has two entrances on eastern and western directions and are adorned by seven-tiered gopurams. There are many shrines inside the temple. The temple has three presiding deities namely Swetharanya, Aghora and Nataraja who are believed to govern Budha. The temple has three water bodies namely Surya, Chandra and Agni. The shrine of Budha is located in the third precinct opposite to one of the temple tanks. Budha (Mercury) is believed to signify a person’s speaking skills. A Chola bronze of Ardhanarishvara with a height of 102 cm (40 in) in standing posture dated to about 11th century was found in the village in Nagapattinam district. The right half has the representation of Siva, while the left half has Parvati. The right half of Shiva is sported with two arms, with one of them sporting an axe. The side of Parvathi has elaborate decorations with jewels and her drapery extends up to the knee portion. The mention about the image installed by Rajendra Chola I is found in Thiruvalangadu plates. Another image of Parvathi sported with her attendant and with a height of 90 cm (35 in) from the Chola period, is considered a masterpiece of Chola art. The right hand of Parvathi holds a flower port, while her left hand rests on the head of the attendant. A bronze image of Chandikeswara in seated posture with his folded left leg.

Festivals

Vaikasi Visagam celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May – June), Aaadi Mulaikattu festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi (August – September), Navaratri during the Tamil month of Purattasi (September – October) and Aipasi Kolattam festival during the Tamil month of Aipasi (October – November)are the most prominent festivals celebrated in the temple. There are other common festivals like Shivaratri, Vinayaga Chaturthi, Vijayadasami and Karthigai Deepam celebrated in the temple. This Chariot festival is celebrated for 10 days. On 5th day a special occasion is celebrated for Agora Murthi.