Thiru Marai Kadar Sri Maraikattunathar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Thiru Marai Kadar Sri Maraikattunathar Temple, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam District Phone: +91- 4369 -250 238

Diety

Maraikattunathar, Vedaranyeswarar(Shiva) Amman: Veena vada vidushani

Introduction

Vedaranyeswarar Temple is dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu, India. Vedaranyeswarar 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. Vedaranyeswarar temple is a part of the series of temples built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Cauvery to commemorate his victory in the Thiruppurambiyam battle. It has several inscriptions dating back to the Chola period. Thala Virutcham : Vanni and Punnai trees Theertham : Veda Theertham and Mani Karnika

Puranic Significance

Thirumaraikadu: The town Vedaranyam is named after Vedaranyeswarar, the presiding deity of the Vedaranyeswarar Temple, a temple dedicated to Shiva. The place was earlier known as “Thirumaraikadu”, meaning the place where Vedas, oldest scriptures of Hinduism, originated. The 7th century Saiva canonical work Tevaram by Appar and Tirugnanasambandar mentions the place as “Thirumaraikadu”.Etymology: As per Hindu legend, the Vedas worshipped Shiva in this place, giving the name “Vedaranyam” to the place. Rama worshipped Shiva here: According to another Hindu legend, Rama, the seventh avatar of god Vishnu, is believed to have visited Vedaranyam to absolve himself from sins committed in the war against the demon king Ravana. The footprints of Rama are preserved in a place called Ramar Padam near Vedaranyam. Vedas locked the Main Entrance of the Temple after worshipping Lord: On their journey to various Shiva temples spread over the state, celebrated Saivite Saints Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunavukkarasar (Appar) came to Thiru Marai Kadu Temple. They sung Pathigams-set of 10 verses- at each temple in praise of Lord Shiva. They were shocked to see that the main entrance of this temple was closed. They also saw devotees entering the temple through a side entrance. They enquired with the priests how this happened. They were told that the Vedas worshipped Lord Shiva here and returned after closing the door.Hearing that Vedas, the holy scriptures of land themselves worshipped the Lord here, Gnanasambandar requested Tirunavukkarasar – Appar to sing a hymn on Lord to open the doors. Appar, tears flowing from his eyes sang ten verses beginning with line “Pannin Ner Moshiyal” and begged Lord to open the doors of the temple. Excited by the graceful response of the Lord, both entered the temple through the main entrance and worshipped Lord. While coming out, Appar wished Gnanasambandar to sing a hymn so that doors could be opened and closed for the worship of the devotees as in all temples.Child saint Sambandar sang a Pathigam – 10 verses – beginning with the line “Chathuram Marai” closing the door. Since then, main doors of temple began to function in usual manner as in other temples. Agasthiyar had darshan of divine marriage: Agasthiyar had darshan of Siva and Parvathy marriage in this place. Rat rebirth as Mavali Chakravarthy: A rat climbed on the lamp, to drink the ghee in it. The light was becoming dim. The rat tried to taste the ghee, in this act the string which was in the lamp got disturbed, and it started glowing bright. By this act which happened without the knowledge of the rat, in his next birth it was Mavali Chakravarthy. Birthplace of Paranjothi Adigal: This place Thirumarai Kadu is birth place of Paranjothi Adigal who is the composer of Thiru Vilaiyadal Puranam (Siva Leela). People worshipped Shiva here: Sage Agasthiyar, Gowthamar, Vishwamitra, Vashista, and Lord Brahma are reported to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this thalam. Great emperors Manu, Mandhadha, Dasaratha, Lord Rama, Pandavas, and Mahabali were blessed by Lord. Vedas worshipping Shiva in the form of Trees: The “Four Vedas” which worshiped Lord Siva here, left the place when the kali yugam started and they are worshipping Lord Siva in the form of trees and Vriksham. The place is called as “Vedaranyam.”

Beliefs

It is the staunch faith of the people that hardships any nature caused due to sins committed, adverse serpent aspects, evil spells would vanish if the devotee surrenders to Lord in the temple. A bath in the Manikarnika spring blesses with the benefit of bathing in holy rivers as Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Sindh and Cauvery. Even sins of high severity as Brahmmahathi caused by murder will disappear. The worship also brings them the benefit of doing charity, performing yoga and penance for a long period. The sea at the eastern side of the temple is known as Aadhi Sethu. Bathing in this sea once is considered equal to 100 baths in the sea in Rameswaram. Thousands bathe in the Kodiakarai Aadhi Sethu and Vedaranyam sea on Thai New Moon day in January-February, Aadi New Moon day in July-August, Mahalaya New Moon day in September-October and finally at Mani Karnika and worship Lord and Mother in their wedding form seeking child boon, education and wisdom, prosperity and healthy life. They are blessed with happy mental peace, employment opportunities promotions in jobs and progress in professions. Devotees place cradles in temple tree for child boon. Those aspiring for marriage offer Wedding Garlands to Lord and Mother. They perform necessary remedial pujas for various adversities they face. Offering vastras and abishek with sandal paste, cosmetic and turmeric powders, oil, milk, curd, rose water, green coconut, sacred ash, panchamirtha etc. Many organize feeding-Annadhana. They also offer nivedhana to Lord and Mother and distribute to visitors. Many contribute for the renovation of the temple.

Special Features

Sage Agasthiyar, Gowthamar, Vishwamitra, Vashista, and Lord Brahma are reported to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this thalam. Great emperors Manu, Mandhadha, Dasaratha, Lord Rama, Pandavas, and Mahabali were blessed by Lord. The main Raja Gopuram of Vedaranyam temple is of five tiers and two Prakaram. Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedaranyeswarar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman / Veena Vadha Vidushani. The temple is one of 64 Sakthi Peetam known as Sundari Peetam. Thiyagarajar here is known as Bhuvani Vidangar. The dance of Thiyagesar here in this temple is known as Hamsa Nadanam. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni Maram and Punnai Maram. Teertham is Manikarnigai and Veda Teertham.

Festivals

29 day Masi Magam Brammotsavam in May-June with the event of the opening of the closed doors of the temple in the past, when Lord goes to sea on the Magam star day and the procession of 63 + 10 celebrated Nayanars, procession of Lord in Kailash Vahan; 10 day Aadi Pooram in July-August, a festival dedicated to Mother Ambica; Vinayaka Chaturthi in AugustSeptember; Skanda Sashti in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple. There will be huge devotee crowd on Pradosha days – 13th day of New Moon or Full Moon days. Special pujas are performed in the temple for Lord and Ambica on Deepavali, Makar Sankranti, Tamil and English New Year days.