Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 65th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - North |
Chola Naadu - North | 11th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
The name of this place
in Sanskrit is “Swetharanyam” (“Sweth” means white and “Aranyam” means forest).
In Tamil, this can be translated as “Venmai” meaning “white” and “Kaadu”
meaning forest.Hence this place is called “Thiru Venkaadu”. The lord here is
known as “Sri Swetharanyeswarar”. Lord Shiva here is also praised as
Thiruvenkaadar, Thiruvenkaattu Devar, Thiruvenkaadaiyar and Thiruvenkaattu
Peruman. This temple is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan and Silapathikaram. This
underscores the antiquity of this temple. This temple’s campus covers an area
of almost 12 acres. The rivers, Kaveri and Manikarnigai, flow near this holy
shrine. It is believed that taking dip in the river Manikarnigai is equivalent
to taking dips in the 64 bath ghats in Kasi.
Lord
Budhan:
Budhan performed his
penance here and was relived from his “ali dosham”.
Brahma
Samaadhu (Brahma Adhishtanam):
Another legend
associated with this temple is that of Lord Brahma. It is believed that Lord
Murugan imprisoned Lord Brahma for not being able to explain the meaning of
“Pranava Mantra” (Aum / Om). 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. Because
of the imprisonment, Lord Brahma forgot the Brahmagnanam” (his duty of
maintaining balance in the world).
It is believed that
Lord Brahma came to this place and performed rigorous penance in order to
regain his memory. The method of penance he adopted here is known as “Samaadhu
Nilai” (by holding his breath). Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva, in the
form of Lord Dakshinamurthy, taught him the “Brahmagnanam” again. Also, Goddess
Parvathy is believed to have taught him the “Brahma Kalai” (“arts of brahma”).
Hence, Goddess Parvathy here is known as “Sri Brahma Vidhyambigai”. There is a
separate shrine here in the name of “Brahma Samaadhu”.
Lord
Agoramurthy:
As per mythology, Lord
Shiva has five faces - Eesanam, Thatpurusham, Aghoram, Vamadhevam and
Sadhyojatam. Each represent a direction and an aspect of Lord Shiva.
Eesaanam faces the sky
and represents purity;
Vamadhevam faces north
and represents sustenance;
Thathpurusha faces east
and represents spirituality that has destroyed the ego;
Aghoram faces south and
represents the lord’s destructive and regenerative aspect; and
Sadhyojatam faces west
and represents creation.
Demon
Maruthuvan:
Demon Maruthuvan, son
of demon Salanthiran. Maruthuvan was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He
performed rigours penance and was blessed with a trident (“Soolam” in Tamil).
After receiving this blessing, he started terrorising the Devas. On the request
of Devas, Lord Shiva instructed Nandhi to punish Maruthuvan. In the fight that
ensued, Maruthuvan hit Nandhi in 9 places with the trident. On knowing this,
Lord Shiva took the form of “Aghoramurthy” and vanquished the demon. This
Murthy is the furious incarnation of Lord Shiva. It represents one of his five
faces - “Aghoram”. It is believed that Lord Aghoramurthi killed the demon under
a tree here. This tree can still be seen in the temple. The idol of Nandhi
which is in front of the lord can be seen with 9 scars on its body.
It is believed that
Lord Shiva destroyed the demon on a Sunday which happened to be a “Puram” star
day. Special poojas are performed on these days. It is believed that Lord Shiva
took 64 forms and this “Aghoramurthy” is the 43rd form. We can see this form
of the lord only in this temple.
Goddess
Pillai Idukki Ambal:
There is a shrine for
“Goddess Pillai Idukki ambal” in the corridor. It is believed that when Saint
Thirugnanasambanthar came to this place, he found that this place looked like
Mount Kailash and the sand dunes looked like Shivlingams. So, he was reluctant
to step on this holy ground and called the Goddess Parvathy as “Ammaye” for
help. On hearing his voice, Goddess Parvathy came there and carried the child
Thirugnanasambanthar to the temple.
The place from where he
called the goddess is known as “Kooppittan Kulam” and the idol of Vinayakar
near this tank is known as “Sambanthar Vinayakar”. Devotees believe that by
worshiping the goddess here and by making an offering of a cradle, they will be
blessed with “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon).
Swedakedu:
Lord Yama, the Lord of
Dharma and Death, was punished by Lord Shiva here for trying to take the life
of Swedakedu, son of King Seyandan from a kingdom in North India. Yama prayed
to Lord Shiva here to seek absolution for his sins.
Saint
Meikkandaar:
Saint Meikkandaar, the
first of the four “Santhana Kuravars” and the author of “Shivagnanabodham” is
believed to have been born by the grace of Sri Swetharanyeswarar of this
temple. Meikkandaar’s birth name was Swethavanaperumal. There is a shrine
for the saint on the banks of the Agni Theertham here.
Ananda
Thandavam:
It is believed that
Lord Shiva performed 9 Thandavas (type of dances) here. These Thandavas are:
Ananda, Kali Thandavam, Gowri thandavam, Muni Thandavam niruthum, Sandhya
Thandavam, Thripura Thandavam, Bujanga Thandavam, Samhara Thandavam and
Byshadanam.
As per Goddess
Parvathy’s wish, Lord Shiva performed his “Ananda thandavam”. While performing
this dance, water drops came out from his three eyes which formed the three
theerthams of this temple.
6
Shiva Sthalams:
This temple is one of
the 6 Shiva Sthalams on the banks of river Cauvery that are considered to be
equal in significance with Kasi (Banaras). The others being (1) Thiruvaiyaru,
(2) Mayiladuthurai, (3) Chayaavanam, (4) Thiruvidaimaruthur, and (5)
Thiruvanchiyam.
44
Paadal petra sthalams:
This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
Significance
of this temple:
The significance of
this temple is that there are -
3 Main deities - Sri
Swetharanyeswarar (Swayambu lingam), Sri Natarajar and Sri Aghora Moorthy;
3 Goddesses - Goddess
Brahma Vidya Nayaki, Goddess Kaali and Goddess Durgai;
3 Holy waters – Surya
Theertham, Chandra Theertham and Agni Theertham; and
3 Sthala Virukshams -
Vadavaal, Vilvam and Kontrai.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
· This is one of the 51 Shakthi Peetams – Goddess Parvathy is praised here as “Pranava Shakthi”.
· This temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
· Budhan worshiped the lord here and was rewarded with a place in the Navagraham.
· It is a customary here to offer green colour cloth to Lord Budhan while making other offerings.
· It is also believed that Lord Indra, Iraavatham, Lord Mahavishnu, Suryan, Chandran and Agni have worshipped Lord Shiva here.
· It is believed that Saint Pattinathar was given “Shiva Dheeksha” by Lord Shiva himself here.
· This temple is very famous for Lord Budhan. It is one of the Navagraha temples. Lord Budhan’s shrine is situated to the left of Goddess Parvathy’s shrine.
· Lord Budhan is the son of Lord Chandran. Lord Chandran’s shrine and Chandra Theertham are located just opposite to Lord Budhan’s shrine. A large number of devotees can always be seen in this shrine.
· This temple is called “Aadhi (first) Chidambaram” because it is believed that Lord Shiva performed his dance here before performing it in Chidambaram.
· Similar to Chidambaram, there is a shrine for Lord Vishnu near the Natarajar’s shrine. “Shiva Thandavam” festival is also celebrated here as in Chidambaram. The idol of Natarajar is very beautiful.
· The poojas and festivals for Lord Natarajar here are similar to those in Chidambaram. Here also we can see “Spadika Lingam” and “Chidambara Rakashiyam”. For the Spadika Lingam, abhishekams are performed four times every day. For the Natarajar, only six abishekams are performed in a year.
· It is considered very auspicious to worship the lord here after taking a dip in all the three Theerthams. Devotees believe that by doing so they will be blessed with prosperity. It is also considered beneficial for the betterment of their children. In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar also sang about the benefits of worshiping the lord here.
· Special poojas called “Agorapoojai” are performed during midnight on the 3rd Sunday in the Tamil month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec) to Lord Agoramurthy. Worshiping the lord during this pooja is believed to be very auspicious.
· Sri Vallabha Ganapathy (Sri Vallabha Devi with Sri Ganapathy) is housed in a shrine which looks like an old and traditional house. It is actually a granary for storing cereals and paddy. Goddess Durgai and Goddess Kaali are very famous here. Both these idols are very artistically carved.
· This temple is considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tanks.
· In this temple, near the Chandra Theertham, there is an old and huge peepal (Vadavaal) tree. Under this tree Lord Shiva’s footprint (“Rudra Paadham) is placed similar to the “Vishnu Paadham” seen in Gaya. Performing ritual ceremonies like “srardh” and “dharpanam” here to the ancestors are considered to be very auspicious. A large number of people can be seen performing such ritual ceremonies here.
· Saints Manikkavasakar, Pattinathar, Sekkizhar, Kabilar and Baranar have also rendered their hymns here.
· This is the birth place of Thiruvenkattu Nangai, wife of Saint Siruthonda Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Swetharanyeswarar, Sri Venkaattu Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Brahma Vidhyambigai |
|
Theertham |
Surya,
Chandra and Agni Theerthams |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vadavaal,
Vilvam and Kondrai trees |
BELIEF:
This is a famous
“Parihara sthalam” for Lord Budhan (Mercurry).
Those suffering from
nerve related ailments can worship lord Budhan here for relief. Lord Budhan is
believed to be the lord responsible for education and business. Hence, devotees
believe that by worshiping lord Bhudan,they will be blessed with better education,
knowledge, wisdom, oratory excellence and improvement in their businesses.
Devotees also believe
that worshiping the lord here will lead to removal of sins accrued in their
previous births.
It is believed that
those seeking wedding boon and “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the
lord here.
Worshiping this
Vinayakar will lift one from the clutches of poverty. Since Lord Vinayakar can
be seen along with his wife here, devotees believe that worshiping them will
help in removing obstacles from marriage proposals.
Special poojas called
“Agorapoojai” are performed during midnight on the third Sunday in the Tamil
month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec) to Lord Agoramurthy,
There is a festival in
the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) to celebrate the incident of Iraavadham
(Lord Indra’s white elephant) getting relief from his curse.
In the Tamil month of
Aadi (Jul-Aug), there is a festival to celebrate the legend of Saint
Pattinathar receiving “Shiva Deeksha” from Lord Shiva.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
13-day Brahmotsavam (Indra Vizha) |
|
Adi |
July-Aug |
10-day Aadi
Puram |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda
Shashti and Annabishekam |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Arudra Dharisanam |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
“Laksharchanai” to Lord Agoramurthy |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruvenkadu is
situated at a distance of about 23 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the
Mayiladuthurai to Tharangambadi route (Via Mangaimadam). From Sirkazhi, this
place is at a distance of about 13 kms on the Sirkazhi to Poompuhar route.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Swetharanyeswarar Temple,
Thiruvenkadu,
Sirkazhi,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu - 609 114.
LOCATION:
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