Thiruverkadu Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvallur

Address

Thiruverkadu Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu Post, Thiruvallur District, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600 077. Tele: +91 44-2627 2430, 2627 2487.

Diety

Vedapureeswarar, Sri Verkattu Nathar Amman: Palambigai

Introduction

Vedapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thiruverkadu, a Municipality in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Vedapureeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Balambigai. 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.The temple complex covers two acres and it houses two gateway towers known as gopurams, each facing the Vedapureeswarar and Balambigai shrine. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Vedapureeswarar and his consort Balambigai being the most prominent. Theertham (Holy water): Velayutha Theertham, Veda Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vela tree

Puranic Significance

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Paalaru and is believed to be more than 1500years old. Based on the architecture of this temple, it can be inferred that it was built during the Chola period. The historical name of this place is Vada Vedaranyam. This temple is under the administrative control of Sri Devi Karumariyamman Temple, Thiruverkadu.It is believed that this is one of the temples where Sage Agasthiar was blessed with the wedding darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. In the sanctum sanctorum, behind the main deity, there is a relief that depicts the lord and goddess in their wedding posture. It is believed that all the four Vedas have worshiped the lord here in the form of Vela trees (Acacia Nilotica). Hence this place gets the name “Vel Kadu” (kadu means forest in Tamil). Later, over a period of time, the auspicious prefix “Thiru” has been added and this place is now called Thiruverkadu. Another legend associated with this temple is that of Lord Murugan. It is believed that Lord Murugan imprisoned Lord Brahma for not being able to explain the meaning of “Pranava Mantra” (Aum / Om). Lord Shiva sent Nandhi to Lord Murugan’s abode asking him to release Lord Brahma. But Lord Murugan was not willing to do so. Lord Shiva himself went to Lord Murugan and explained him the importance of Lord Brahma’s work which were being put on hold due to his captivity. Lord Shiva then got Lord Brahma released. However, Lord Shiva asked Lord Murugan to go to this temple and offer his prayers in order to seek absolution for all the trouble that he had caused by imprisoning Lord Brahma. It is believed that Lord Murugan then created the “Velayutha Theertham” (sacred holy water tank) at this temple using his spear (Vel) and worshiped Lord Shiva. This beautiful tank can still be seen inside the temple complex. Lord Murugan can be seen here with a Shivalingam in front of him. As per the ‘sthala puranam’, serpant Adisheshan is believed to have worshiped the lord here and promised that he would not bite anyone in this place. Hence, the place is also known as “Visham Theenda Pathy” – a place where no snake bite occurs. Sage Paraachara, who is considered to be a great scholar in astrology, is also believed to have worshiped the lord here. Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, was born in this place. It is believed that he spent his entire money by offering food to devotees of Lord Shiva. He resolutely followed the principle of taking his food only after offering food to some Shiva devotees. When his entire wealth was extinguished, he started gambling and spent whatever he earned for the same cause. When the losers refused to pay him his dues, he used violence to recover the money. As he is believed to have been ruthless in recovering what he was owed by the losers, he is called “Moorka Nayanar” (Moorka means violent in Tamil).

Beliefs

Since Lord Shiva of this temple is in his wedding form, devotees believe that worshiping the lord here will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals. Devotees prefer to conduct their 81st birth day (“Sadabishekam”) in this temple.

Special Features

Apart from the shrines of Lord Vedapureeswarar and Goddess Balambikai, shrines and idols of lords Varasidhi Vinayakar, Nagarajar (Adisheshan), Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Nalvar, 63 Nayanmars, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Sekkizhar, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Navagraham, Saint Agasthiar and King Anabaya Cholan can be seen in the corridors. There are separate shrines for Lord Saneeswaran, Saint Moorka Nayanar and Saint Arunagirinathar in the outer corridors. The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special style of architecture called the Gaja Brishtam. This makes the vimanam look like the rear of an elephant (Gaja – elephant, brishtam – rear). This is also known as “Thoonganai Maadam” in Tamil (thoong(um) – sleeping, aanai – elephant, maadam – top of a temple). The fact that there is a Shivalingam in front of Lord Murugan’s idol is unique to this temple. Also, Lord Murugan is seen holding a bow and arrow instead of his usual spear.It is significant to note that in this temple the Navagraham is placed on “Padma Pedam” and is in the shape of an octagon. This temple is also famous as a parihara sthalam for Navagraha dosham. Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Festivals

On a full moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May), Attrural festival is celebrated in a grand manner. Other important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.