Sri Vedapureeswarar temple - Tiruverkadu

Moolavar	Vedapureeswarar
Urchavar	-
Amman / Thayar	Balambikai
Thala Virutcham	Velvela Maram
Theertham	Veda theertham, Pali River
Agamam / Pooja	-
Old year	1000-2000 years old
Historical Name	Tiruverkadu
City	Tiruverkadu
District	Kanchipuram
State	Tamil Nadu

Temple History

When all sages reached the border of Himalayas to witness the Wedding of Mother Parvathi with Shiva, due to their total weight, the ground went below causing the rising of the south.  Lord Shiva asked Sage Agasthya to go to south to balance the ground level.  For the sake of the safety of all, Sage Agasthya had to sacrifice the great opportunity of joining the divine celebrations.  Lord Shiva assured the sage that he would grant the wedding darshan to him on his way to south.  When Sage Agasthya reached Tiruverkadu, Lord granted darshan with Mother Parvathi. Due to the curse of Sage Brugu, Lord Vishnu was born as Parasurama to Sage Jamadagni and Renuka Devi.  When he came here to worship Lord Shiva here, his mother Ranukadevi also accompanied the son.  That Renuka temple is now the famous Karu Mariamman temple in Tiruverkadu.  Lord Shiva wanted to create the world after it was destroyed by the great floods-pralaya-tsunami.  He ordered the four Vedas-Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana to become Velvela trees.  These trees are the sacred trees of the temple.  Hence the place is named Verkadu-jungle of vela trees with the auspicious prefix Tiru – Tiruverkadu

Singers

The shrine is praised in the Thevaram hymn of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar. This is 23rd Shiva temple in Thondai region praised in Thevaram hymns.

Festival

Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Navarathri in September-October; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple

 Temple's Speciality

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy are behind the Linga in their wedding form, a special feature in the temple. This is the birth place of Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 celebrated Saivite Saints.

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Address

Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Tiruverkadu-600 077, Kancheepuram district.

Phone

+91- 44-2627 2430, 2627 2487.

General Information

The temple is on a land covering 1.5 acres with a five tier Rajagopuram facing east.  It has three prakaras-corridors.  The Vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabrushta design.

Prayers

Devotees believe that bathing continuously in the sacred spring on Sundays will cure skin diseases

Thanks giving:

Realizing their wishes, devotees perform abishek to Lord offering vastras.

Greatness Of Temple

It is the staunch belief of the devotees that worshipping Mothers Tiruverkadu Balambikai, Tiruvalidayam Jagadambikai and Tiruvottriyur Vadivambikai in a single day would pour on them the choicest benefits both during this life and the life later.  People believe that continuous bathing in the sacred spring on Sundays would cure them of any skin problems.  The temple was built by a Chola king.  Lord Shiva once told Mother Parvathi that any one thinking of this holy place, stay here for a while or even pass through this place would be awarded with  total salvation to the devotee.

While Lord Vinayaka was playing in the milk ocean, Lord Vishnu witnessing the play, his conch slipped and fell into the ocean.  He got it back with the grace of Lord Shiva of this temple.  Along with Lord Vishnu, Adisesha also worshipped Lord here and promised that He would not bite any one living within the boundaries of this place.  Since that day, no death had occurred in this place due to snake bite.  Hence, the place has the name Vidam Theenda Pathy – place where no snake bite occurs.

Lord Muruga created a spring here near the Velvela tree and made amends for not releasing Lord Brahmma from his captivity as directed by Lord Shiva.  Sages Athiri, Parasara, Brugu, Kuchara, Angirasa, Vasishta, Gautama, Kashyapa, Dindi, Mundi, Valakilliar Viradagni and others had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.  Pandava brothers, Emperor Shibi Chola, Vana, nine planets and deities of the 8 directions – Ashtadhik Balakas had worshipped here.  Lord Muruga is praised in the Tirupugazh hymns of Saint Arunagiriar.

This is birth place of Moorka Nayanar.  He resolutely followed the principle of taking his food only after feeding Shiva devotees.  He was unable to stick to the dharma, he used his gambling skill and made money.  When the losers refused to pay him the dues, he used violence to recover the money and continued the habit with the proceeds.  As he behaved brutally with the losers, he was named Moorka Nayanar-violent Nayanar.  He was cleansed by Lord as the intention of Nayanar was high.  There is a shrine for Moorka Nayanar in the outer corridor of the temple.  A festival dedicated to Nayanar is celebrated on the Kruthika star day in Karthikai-November-December-month

Location :
Tiruverkadu is 10 km far from Chennai Koyambedu on the Poonamalle high road.

Near By Railway Station :
Chennai

Near By Airport :  
Chennai

Accomodation :
Chennai: