Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple / Thiruverkadu Shiva Temple / Thiruverkadu, திருவேற்காடு வேதபுரீஸ்வரர், Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 23^rd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu at Thiruverkadu a part of Chennai in Tiruvallur District. The temple is on the banks of the river Cooum, which flows from north to south. Since the river flows from North to south and the Temple is situated on the banks is considered equivalent to Kashi.  The Moorka Nayanar one of the 63 Nayanmars is from this place. 

Sekkizhar, in his Periyapuranam, describes Thirugnanasambandar’s arrival with his disciples to Thiruverkadu after worshiping Lord Shiva Sri Kalahastheeswarar of Kalahasti. In this, Sekkizhar mentions the name of the Cooum River as “Pali”.

மன்னுபுகழ்த் திருத்தொண்டர் குழாத்தினோடும்

        மறைவாழ வந்தவர்தாம் மலையும் கானும்

முன் அனைந்த பதிபிறவும் கடந்து போந்து

        முதல்வனார் உறைபதிகள் பலவும் போற்றிப்

பன்மணிகள் பொன்வரன்றி அகிலும் சந்தும்

        பொருது அலைக்கும் பாலி வடகரையில்நீடு

சென்னிபதி அணிந்தவர்தம் திருவேற்காடு

        சென்று அணைந்தார் திருஞானம் உண்ட செல்வர்

 

Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

ஆடல் நாகம் அசைந்தள வில்லதோர்

        வேடங் கொண்டவன் வேற்காடு

பாடி யும்பணிந் தாரிவ் வுலகினில்

        சேட ராகிய செல்வரே

Moolavar  : Sri Vedapureeswarar, Sri Verkattunathar

Consort    : Sri Balambigai, Sri Verkanni.

Some of the salient features of this temple are……

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram and the Temple pond with Neerazhi mandapam was constructed/renovated at a later stage. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In Koshatam Sri Bala Vinayagar, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Sri Lingothbavar, Sri Brahma and Sri Durgai.

In the inner Prakaram Naalvar, 63var, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Anabaya Chozhan, Sekkizhar, Balasubramaniam with a Shiva Lingam in front, Chandikeswarar ( there is also another Chandikeswarar near the praharam wall), Kalyana Kolam of Lord Shiva and Parvati ( in stucco ), Balambigai, Bhairavar, Chandran, Suryan, Navagrahas ( are positioned in octagonal shape and facing 8 directions on a Padma Peedam ).

In the outer prakaram Shani Bhagavan,  Moorka Nayanar and Arunagiri Nathar. 

The 15th Century Saint Arunagirinathar worshiped Murugan of this temple and also sang hymns. Lord Murugan is with bow and arrow which is very unique in this temple. Arunagirinathar mentions this place as “Velangadu”, which is explained in the legend.

ஆலம்போ லெழுநீல மேலங்காய் வரி கோல

        மாளம்போர் செயுமாய                                             விழியாலே

ஆரம்பால் தொடைசால ஆலுங்கோ புரவார

        ஆடம்பார் குவிநேய                                                முலையாலே

சாலந்தாழ் வுறுமால ஏலங்கோர் பிடியாய

        வேளங்கார் துடிநீப                                                  இடையாலே

சாரஞ்சார் விலனாய நேகங்கா யமன்மீது

        காலந்தா னொழிவேது                                            உரையாயோ

பாலம்பால் மணநாறு காலங்கே யிறிலாத

        மாதம்பா தருசேய                                                    வயலூரா

பாடம்பார் திரிசூல நீடந்தா கரவீர

        பாசந்தா திருமாலின்                                               மருகோனே

வேலம்பார் குறமாது மேலும்பார் தருமாதும்

        வீறங்கே யிருபாலு                                                 முறவீறு

வேதந்தா வபிராம நாதந்தா வருல்பாவு

        வேலங்கா டுறைசீல                                               பெருமாளே.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The moolavar vimanam is of Gajaprishta/Gajabrushta type on a pada bandha adhistana with three patta kumudam. Deva koshtas padra koshtas with virutha kumudam and prativari. The pilasters are with square base, vishnukantha body, kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai pothyal. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple existed before the 6^th Century and is believed that the temple was re-constructed during the Anabaya Chozha period and an idol of Anabaya Chozha is in the inner praharam. There were about 11 inscriptions recorded in this temple and these inscriptions are not legible to read. From the inscriptions, the temple was again reconstructed during Rajendra Chozha-I’s second son Kulothunga period.

LEGENDS 

This is one of the temples where Lord Shiva gave darshan in Kalyana Kolam to Agasthiyar and the bas-relief is on the back side of the moolavar wall. Since Lord Shiva gave darshan of his Kalyana Kolam to Agasthiyar, Devotees believe that it will be auspicious to celebrate their Sashtiapthapoorthi and Sadhabishegam

In one of the legends Lord Murugan imprisoned Brahma, for not knowing the meaning of the Pranava mantra. Lord Shiva explained the necessity of Brahma for creation and the after-effects if he is not released. Lord Shiva's request was also turned down. Finally, Lord Murugan teaches the meaning to Lord Shiva and releases Brahma. The get rid of the sin caused by this, Lord Muruga came to this place, created a theertham, and worshiped Lord Shiva ( A Shiva Linga is in front of Him ).

It is believed that 4 Vedas worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of Vel trees (Acacia Nilotica), hence this place was called "Velkadu/Velangadu" and the same was corrupted to the present name of Verkadu.

Moorka Nayanar and Sage Parashara ( a scholar in astrology ) worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. The Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars belonging to this place was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to eat only after providing annadhanam to Shiva devotees. When all his wealth was exhausted, started his earning through gambling and continued the service. He was very strict and sometimes used force to collect the money from the losers. Hence he was called “Moorka Nayanar”. 

In another legend, Sthala Purana Adhiseshan worshiped Lord Shiva and promised that it would not bite anybody in this place and this place was called "Visham Theenda Pathy". 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri in Masi (Feb- March), Navaratri is Puratasi (Sep-Oct), Thiruvathirai in Margazhi (Dec- January) and Panguni Uthiram in Panguni (March – Apri).

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Land Line Telephone numbers, 044-2627 2430, and 2627 2487 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

Town buses are available from various parts of the Chennai city and routes 27C and 170 are available from Koyambedu Bus terminus.

The temple is about 1 KM from Thiruverkadu bus terminus near Devi Karumariamman Temple and Autos are available from the Bus Terminus to the temple.

The temple is  12 KM from Koyambedu, 20 KM from Chennai Central, and 20 KM from Airport.

The nearest Railway station ( Metro ) Koyambedu and Railway Junction is Central Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---