This is one of the 32 Paadal Petra Sthalam (i.e. temple visited by the Saivite Saints who have composed divine hymns on the Lord) in the Thondai Region (Mandalam). There are about 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams in Tamilnadu. Thiruverkadu is unique in the sense it is also the birth place of the one of 63 Nayanmar “Sri Moorka Nayanar”. This temple was visited by the Saivite Saint Thirugnaana Sambandar and composed “Devaram” i.e. Divine Hymns on the Lord. This temple was also visited by Saint Arunagirinathar and composed “Thirupugazh” on Lord Muruga. This Village was also known as Vada Vedaranyam since Lords here appear in their Wedding Posture similar to the one at Vedaranyam in the Nagapattinam District.
Legends associated with the temple.
Once when Lord Brahma was proceeding towards Kailash, the son of Lord Shiva, Lord Skanda / Muruga asked Brahma for the meaning of the Pranava Mantra “OM”. When Brahma could not explain the meaning Lord Muruga imprisoned him. As a result, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Shiva to get Brahma released. Lord Shiva sent Sri Nandhigeswarar to talk to Lord Muruga and rescue Lord Brahma. But Lord Muruga did not listen to Sri Nandhigeswarar and hence Lord Shiva himself approached Muruga and convinced him to release Lord Brahma. Later Lord Shiva instructed Lord Muruga to go to Thiruverkadu and worship him there. Later Lord Muruga visited Thiruverkadu formed a Pond (Theertham) using his Spear (Vel) installed a Shiva Lingam and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence the Pond here is called as “Velaayudha Theertham” i.e. pond formed with the spear. In this temple we can see Lord Muruga in a separate shrine without any weapons in his hand. Also there is a Shiva Lingam in front of Lord Muruga which is a rare one.
Another legend associated with the temple is that during Lord Shiva’s wedding everyone including Gods, Devas and Saints gathered at Mount Kailash to witness the celestial event. Due to this the earth was tilted towards North and Lord Shiva directed Sage Agasthiyar to go towards South to balance the Earth. Sage Agasthiyar prayed the Lord saying that he will not be able to see the God’s wedding. Hearing this Lord Shiva granted Sage Agasthiyar a boon that wherever He prays the Lord he will have the darshan of his wedding. Sage Agasthiyar on his way stayed here at Thiruverkadu and worshipped Lord Shiva and had the darshan of Lord’s wedding. One can see Lord Shiva and Goddess in ceremonial wedding posture just behind the Shiva Lingam inside the Sanctum. Sage Agasthiyar was blessed to have God’s darshan from various places and Thiruverkadu is one of them.
In ancient days, this place was a forest filled with VeLvela trees (வெள்வேல மரம்) and hence was called as Velankaadu (வேலங்காடு), which later turned to get its present name. It is also said that Lord Muruga, before His battle with the demon king Surapadhman, got His weapon ‘Vel’ (வேல்) from Sri Karumaari Amman here and so the place was called as Velankaadu.
It is said that Sri Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha) worshipped the Goddess here by performing Abhishegam using Valampuri Sanghu (Conch). The Goddess got pleased with His worship and blessed Him that the poojas at the temple will first be performed to Sri Vinayagar and then to Her. Sri Vinayagar can be seen present in the temple just as we enter the temple near the Dhwajasthambham. While entering the temple, one has to pray Him and then go further to worship Sri Karumaari Amman.
Once, when the Asuras gave troubles to Devas, they came and worshipped Lord Shiva at Thiruverkaadu, to save them. Lord Shiva called His Devi Sri Verkanni and directed Her to look after His duties till He is back from Devaloka. Lord Shiva gave her the holy ashes from His body and blessed Her. The Goddess asked Sage Agasthiyar to look for a holy place where she can perform the heavenly duties assigned by Lord Shiva. When Sage Agasthiyar was thinking of such place, he heard an Asareeri (அசரீரி – a holy voice) saying that the place where he was standing itself is a holy place. Goddess took abode here as Sri Karumaari Amman and also blessed the place that one will be removed of all the sins by worshipping Her at Thiruverkaadu.
Thiruverkaadu is the place where all 3 Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva have worshipped the Goddess. Hence She is called as Sri Karumaari here. Ka means Brahma, Ru means Rudhra or Shiva, and Ma means Vishnu.
The temple here is facing east. There is a beautiful Rajagopuram to enter the temple. Once we enter Sri Vinayagar is seen on an elevated shrine under a tree.
After crossing Sri Vinayagar, the sanctum of Goddess Sri Karumaari Amman is seen. The Goddess is facing east. It is said that originally the Goddess evolved from an ant hill. Amman is so beautiful with a smiling face and decorated well with lots of flowers.
Sri Subramanyar is found at the praakaaram around the sanctum. Navagrahas are found at the north eastern side of the temple. Sri Brahma is found on one of the walls facing north.
There is another small shrine adjacent to this temple, where a huge ant hill is found under a Peepul tree. Devotees offer milk and eggs for the snakes in this ant hill. Camphors are also lit here to offer worship. The entire ant hill is yellow in color as devotees have applied turmeric powder on it.
The temple pond is found in front of the temple which is so beautiful with a small Mandapam in the middle.
A tall and beautiful temple Chariot is parked in a separate Mandapam adjacent to the temple.
Thiruverkaadu attracts thousands of devotees and tourists everyday from various parts of the country. Sri Ambaal here is believed to be so powerful granting the wishes of the devotees worshipping her.
Details about the Temple
The Lord here is called as Vedhapureeswarar (also known as Sri Verkateeswarar) and the Goddess Sri Baalaambigai (also known as Verkanni Ammai). The temple is constructed on a vast area and the Raja Gopuram is facing east. The Rajagopuram is five tiered and has various sculptures on it. Sri Nandhigeswarar located at the outer Prakaaram decorated with many flowers and Vilvam allowing us to have the Darshan of Sri Vedhapureeswarar. In the Sanctum we can see Sri Vedhapureeswar in the form of Shiva Lingam and behind that we can have the darshan of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in the wedding posture which is the specialty of the temple.
At the inner prakaaram we can see the four Saivite Saints who have sung Thevaram and Thiruvasagam i.e. Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. Also the “Arupathumoovars” i.e. Sixty Three devotees of Lord Shiva known as “Nayanmars” are located in a row at the Southern Prakaaram. Sri Dakshinamurthy is found at the southern side of the Prakaaram. At the south western side there is a separate shrine for Lord Ganapathi.
The Sanctum and Vimanam is constructed in “Gajabrishta” form i.e. style similar to the backside of an Elephant (semi circle). One can also see Sri Lingothbavar i.e. Linga where one can see the Lord Brahma in Annapakshi (bird) form on the upper portion of the Lingam and Lord Vishnu in Varaha form on the lower portion of the Lingam on the backside of the outer wall of the Sanctum. Just behind the Sanctum one can also see the deities of Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Sri Visalakshi, Anabaya Chozhan and Sekkizhar are seen facing the East towards Sri Lingothbavar. Sri Sandigeswar is facing south towards the Lord and another Sri Sandeeswarar is also seen sitting and meditating the Lord looking towards the Sanctum. Ambal Sri Balaambigai is facing South and has Simha Vahanam facing her towards North. There is a tall Dhwajasthambam in front of the shrine. There are separate shrines for Lord Saneeswarar.
This is also the birth place of one of 63 Nayanmar named “Moorka Nayanar” and there is a separate shrine to Moorka Nayanar on the North Eastern side of the outer prakaaram. Moorka Nayanar was born at Thiruverkadu and was doing service to Saivite Saints by first offering food to them. Nayanar partakes food only after feeding the Saivaite Saints. By doing this service he lost all his wealth. However he later adopted Gambling as a means to earn livelihood to serve the Shiva devotees.
Sri Arunagirinathar has sung Thirupugazh on Lord Muruga here and has a separate shrine facing west on the South Eastern Side of the temple. The Sthala Vruksham (Tree) is called “Vel-Vela Maram” which is seen on the outer prakaaram. There is a Shiva Lingam and Sri Nandhi under the Sthala Vruksham. The Theertham (Water) of this temple is called Velaayudha Teertham formed by Lord Skanda.
The temple is constructed on a vast area and the Raja Gopuram is facing east. The Rajagopuram is 5 tiered and has various sculptures on it. Sri Nandhigeswarar is so beautifully present at the outer praakaaram decorated with many flowers and Vilvam, allowing us to have the Dharshan of Sri Vedhapureeswarar. In the sanctum, we can see Sri Vedhapureeswarar in the form of Shiva Lingam and behind that the wedding posture of Lord Shiva and Sri Parvathi. At the inner praakaaram, we can see the Naalvar viz Appar, Sundharar, Manickavaasagar and Thirugnanasambandhar. Along with them are seen the others among 63 Naayanmaars in a row at the southern praakaaram. Sri Dhakshinamurthy is found at the southern side of the praakaaram. At the south western side there is a separate shrine for Sri Sannadhi Vinayagar. The sanctum is apsidal which is called Gajabrishta shape (Thoonganai Maadam). Sri Lingothbavar is present behind the sanctum on the outer wall. Just behind the sanctum, Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Sri Visalakshi, Anabaya Chozhan and Sekkizhar are seen facing East towards Sri Lingothbavar. Sri Sandigeswarar is facing south towards the Lord and another Sri Sandeeswarar is also seen sitting and meditating the Lord looking towards the sanctum. The Vimaanam of the sanctum is of the Gajabrishta shape (கஜப்ருஷ்ட விமானம்). Ambaal Sri Balambigai is facing south and has Simha Vaahanam facing Her towards north. The Shiva Ganaas are seen on the top of the walls of the temple on specific directions, guarding the whole temple. There is a tall and beautiful Dhwajasthambham adding beauty to the temple. There is a separate shrine for Sri Saneeswarar and Sri Moorgha Naayanaar on the north eastern side of the outer praakaaram. It is said that Sri Moorgha Naayanaar was born here at this place. Sri Arunagirinaathar has sung Thiruppugazh on Lord Muruga here and has a separate shrine facing west on the south eastern side. The Sthala Viruksham is called VeLvela Maram (வெள்வேல மரம்) which is seen on the outer praakaaram. There is a Shiva Lingam and Sri Nandhi under the Sthala Viruksham. The Theertham of this temple is called Velaayudha Theertham formed by Lord Muruga.
Importance: Muka nayanars birth place. Poison has no effect here. When lord Siva got married to parvathi in Kailas, earth tilted to one side because of the presence of everyone in that place, so Agastiyar was asked to go to vedaranyam to balance the earth. Agastiar said he will not be able to participate in the marraiage cermony and enjoy.
Siva promised that he will be able to see their marriage. when ever Agasthiyr wishes he will be able to see both Siva and Parvathi in bridal form. Here inside the sanctum at the back of linga we see Siva and Parvathi in bridal form and the marriage event is sculptured. So the place is known as veda vedanarayan.
BY Worshipping Thhirverkadu Baalambikai, Thiru validhayam Sri Jagadambikai and Thiruvotriyoor Vadavambikai in one day is very good.
Arunagiri nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan, Sambandhar sang hymns on Siva of this place.
Lord Subramanya acquired his Vel from Parasakthi to defeat Suran, hence the name verkadu. Thirumoorthy’s worshipped Parasakthi known as Karumari here.Ka represents Brahma, Ru, represents Rudhara and Ma, represents Vishnu.
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