This is the 23rd Devaram Paadal
Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu at Thiruverkadu a part of Chennai in Tiruvallur District. The temple is on the
banks of river Cooum, where it flows from north to south. Since the river is
flowing 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 Cooum river as “Pali”.
மன்னுபுகழ்த் திருத்தொண்டர் குழாத்தினோடும்
ஆடல் நாகம் அசைந்தள வில்லதோர் வேடங் கொண்டவன் வேற்காடுபாடி யும்பணிந் தாரிவ் வுலகினில் சேட ராகிய செல்வரே
Moolavar :
Sri Vedapureeswarar, Sri VerkattunatharConsort :
Sri Balambigai, Sri Verkanni.
Some of the salient features of this temple are……The temple is facing east with a 5 tier
Rajagopuram and Temple pond with Neerazhi mandapam was constructed / renovated at a latter 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 prakaram 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 pedam ).
In the outer prakaram Shani Bhagavan, Moorka
Nayanar and Arunagiri Nathar.
The 15th Century Saint Arunagirinathar worshiped Murugan of this temple
and also sung 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 விழியாலேஆரம்பால் தொடைசால ஆலுங்கோ புரவார ஆடம்பார் குவிநேய முலையாலேசாலந்தாழ் வுறுமால ஏலங்கோர் பிடியாய வேளங்கார் துடிநீப இடையாலேசாரஞ்சார் விலனாய நேகங்கா யமன்மீது காலந்தா னொழிவேது உரையாயோபாலம்பால் மணநாறு காலங்கே யிறிலாத மாதம்பா தருசேய வயலூராபாடம்பார் திரிசூல நீடந்தா கரவீர பாசந்தா திருமாலின் மருகோனேவேலம்பார் குறமாது மேலும்பார் தருமாதும் வீறங்கே யிருபாலு முறவீறுவேதந்தா வபிராம நாதந்தா வருல்பாவு வேலங்கா டுறைசீல பெருமாளே.
ARCHITECTUREThe Temple consists of sanctum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The moolavar vimanam is of Gaja prishta / Gajabrushta type on a padabandha adhisthana with tripatta kumuda. Deva koshtas padra koshtas with virutha kumudam and prativari. The pilasters are with square base, vishnukantha body, kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai pothyal.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONSThe temple exists before 6th Century
and is believed that the temple was re-constructed during Anabaya Chozha period and an idol of Anabaya Chozha is in the inner prakaram. 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 temple 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 believes that it
will be auspicious to celebrate their Sashtiapthapoorthi
and Sadhabishegam
In one of the legend Lord Murugan imprisoned Brahma, for not knowing the meaning of 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 after Lord Murugan teaches the meaning to Lord Shiva and released
Brahma. The get rid of the sin caused
through 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 as "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 belongs 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
exhausted, started his earning through gambling and continued the service. He was very strict and some times used
force in collecting the money from the losers. Hence he was called as “Moorka
Nayanar”.
In another legend and Sthala purana Adhiseshan worshiped Lord Shiva and promised that it will not bite anybody in this place and this place was called as "Visham Theenda Pathy".
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONSApart 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 – April ).
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe 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, 2627 2487, may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO
REACH : Town buses are available from various parts of the
Chennai city and Route No 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 Airport.Nearest Railway station ( Metro ) Koyambedu and
Railway Junction is Central station.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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
The temple exists before 6th Century
and is believed that the temple was re-constructed during Anabaya Chozha period and an idol of Anabaya Chozha is in the inner prakaram. 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.
In one of the legend Lord Murugan imprisoned Brahma, for not knowing the meaning of 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 after Lord Murugan teaches the meaning to Lord Shiva and released
Brahma. The get rid of the sin caused
through this, Lord Muruga came to this place, created a theertham and worshiped
Lord Shiva ( A Shiva Linga is in-front of Him ).
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
