23. SRI VEDAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUVERKADU

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	23rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Thondai Naadu
Thondai Naadu	23rd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

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.

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Paalaru and is believed to be more than 1300 years 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.

Sage Agasthiar was blessed with the wedding darshan:

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.

Lord Murugan imprisoned Lord Brahma:

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 was 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.

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.

Serpant Adisheshan worshiped the lord here:

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.

Saint Moorka Nayanar:

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).

People Worshipped lord shiva here:

Sage Paraachara, who is considered to be a great scholar in astrology, is also believed to have worshiped the lord here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram).

·        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).

·        This is the birth place of Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.

·        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 sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. 

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Vedapureeswarar, Sri Verkattu Nathar
Ambal	Sri Balambikai, Sri Verkanni Ambal
Theertham	Velayutha Theertham, Veda Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vela tree

BELIEF:

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. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Chithirai	April-May	Attrural festival
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruverkadu is situated at a distance of about 7 kms from Poonamallee on the Poonamallee to Avadi route. From Koyambedu Bus stand (Chennai) it is about 10 kms.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple,

Thiruverkadu,

Thiruvallur,

Chennai,

Tamil Nadu – 600 077.

LOCATION: