Swetharanyeswarar Temple at Thiruvenkadu, the fourth Navagraha sthalam of the 9 Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu, is the abode for Bhudhan or Bhuda (planet Mercury). Thiruvenkadu Bhudha Sthalam is located near Poompuhar, around 10 km from Sirkazhi, 24 km east of Mayuram and 59 km from Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva as Swedharanyeshwarar and Goddess Parvati as Brahma Vidya Nayaki Ambal (Brahmavidyanayaki). Swetharanyeswarar Temple enshrines a separate sanctum sanctorum for Bhudhan or Bhudan, one the nine Navagrahas and the bestower of wisdom and wealth.
Temple History
The name Thiruvenkadu, also spelled Thiruvengadu, means ‘sacred white forest’ (Ven means white and Kadu means forest). It is said that this place was surrounded by thick forests on all sides and when seen from a distance, it looked white, and hence the name. In Sanskrit it is known as Swetaranyam (Swetam means white and Aranyam means forest). The place also bears various names such as Jnana-aranya, (forest of wisdom), Patala Kailas and Aadi Chidambaram.
It is said that the Lord performed seven of His dances - Tandavam - known as Ananda, Sandhya, Samhara, Tripuranta, Urdhva, Bhujanga and Lalita.
Temple Architecture
Thiruvenkadu Temple is surrounded by five prakarams known as pancha prakarams. Here the Lord is consecrated in His forms as Aghoramurthi (manifestation of His wild and angry form) and Nataraja (a manifestation of Shiva, assumed as the Lord of Dance). The Nataraja image holds seven instruments and weapons, namely, Vetalam, Khadgam, Udukku, Mani, Kedayam, Kapalam and Trisulam.
A unique feature about Swetharanyeswarar Temple is that the image of Lord Shiva has five faces, Easanam, Tatpurusham, Aghoram, Vamadevam and Sadyojatam. The posture of Nandi at the entrance is another unique feature here. It bears nine scars on its body and is seated at the entrance of Devi’s shrine. The face is turned towards the Lord’s shrine and ears cocked towards that of Devi, signifying that it is ready to receive orders from the Divine Couple. Devi in Her divine form of Bhadrakali has a separate shrine. Besides, there are separate shrines for Ashta Lakhsmis and the Navagrahas.
Swetharanyeswarar Temple has three theerthams (holy tanks) called as Agni Theertham, Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham which are said to have been created out of the three drops which fell from Lord Shiva's eyes when he was dancing. The sthala vrikshams are also three in number - Vilvam, Vadaval and Konrai. The stone inscriptions on the walls of the temples depict important historical information on the Chola Dynasty and about several kings of Vijayanagar. The rivers, Kaveri and Manikarnika, run near the holy shrine.
Worship
Worship to Lord Shiva's fiery form Aghoramurthy is considered to be of great importance especially on Sunday nights.
Budhan is the planetary ruler for knowledge, music, astrology, Maths, sculpting, medicine and language skills. Wednesdays are very auspicious to Budha and offering pooja on that day is believed to rectify any Budhan Dhosham in horoscope. Budha is attired in green and can be offered with green moong dhal, white kanthal flower and green cloth.
Thiruvenkadu Temple Festivals
The most important festival is the float festival which is celebrated on the last day of 12 day celebrations in the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March).
Temple Timings
The temple is opened from 6 AM to 12.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM
How to reach Swetharanyeswarar Temple at Thiruvenkadu
Swetharanyeswarar Temple is situated 23 kilometers away from Mayiladuthurai, on the Sirkali – Poompuhar linking road. The temple is 10 km from Sirkazhi and 59 km from Kumbakonam.
Shiyali Railway Station, Thanjavur is the nearest railway station, about 9 km from the temple. Thiruvenkadu is accessible by road from Vaitheeswaran Koil railway station and Semponnar Koil railway station as well.
Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu Route Map
View Larger Map
Nearby Attractions
Naganathar Temple, known as the Kethu Navagraha Sthalam, is located at Keezhperumpallam, around 6 km from Thiruvenkadu. Thiruppallavaneeswaram Temple and Valampuranathar Temple at Melapperumpallam is also located close to Poompuhar. Pullirukkuvelur Vaitheeswaran Koil (Sevvai Sthalam) and Sirkazhi Bhramapureeswarar Temple are just a few minutes drive from the temple.
Picture Courtesy - Rajesh CK - Picassa
Temple History
The name Thiruvenkadu, also spelled Thiruvengadu, means ‘sacred white forest’ (Ven means white and Kadu means forest). It is said that this place was surrounded by thick forests on all sides and when seen from a distance, it looked white, and hence the name. In Sanskrit it is known as Swetaranyam (Swetam means white and Aranyam means forest). The place also bears various names such as Jnana-aranya, (forest of wisdom), Patala Kailas and Aadi Chidambaram.
It is said that the Lord performed seven of His dances - Tandavam - known as Ananda, Sandhya, Samhara, Tripuranta, Urdhva, Bhujanga and Lalita.
Temple Architecture
Thiruvenkadu Temple is surrounded by five prakarams known as pancha prakarams. Here the Lord is consecrated in His forms as Aghoramurthi (manifestation of His wild and angry form) and Nataraja (a manifestation of Shiva, assumed as the Lord of Dance). The Nataraja image holds seven instruments and weapons, namely, Vetalam, Khadgam, Udukku, Mani, Kedayam, Kapalam and Trisulam.
A unique feature about Swetharanyeswarar Temple is that the image of Lord Shiva has five faces, Easanam, Tatpurusham, Aghoram, Vamadevam and Sadyojatam. The posture of Nandi at the entrance is another unique feature here. It bears nine scars on its body and is seated at the entrance of Devi’s shrine. The face is turned towards the Lord’s shrine and ears cocked towards that of Devi, signifying that it is ready to receive orders from the Divine Couple. Devi in Her divine form of Bhadrakali has a separate shrine. Besides, there are separate shrines for Ashta Lakhsmis and the Navagrahas.
Swetharanyeswarar Temple has three theerthams (holy tanks) called as Agni Theertham, Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham which are said to have been created out of the three drops which fell from Lord Shiva's eyes when he was dancing. The sthala vrikshams are also three in number - Vilvam, Vadaval and Konrai. The stone inscriptions on the walls of the temples depict important historical information on the Chola Dynasty and about several kings of Vijayanagar. The rivers, Kaveri and Manikarnika, run near the holy shrine.
Worship
Worship to Lord Shiva's fiery form Aghoramurthy is considered to be of great importance especially on Sunday nights.
Budhan is the planetary ruler for knowledge, music, astrology, Maths, sculpting, medicine and language skills. Wednesdays are very auspicious to Budha and offering pooja on that day is believed to rectify any Budhan Dhosham in horoscope. Budha is attired in green and can be offered with green moong dhal, white kanthal flower and green cloth.
Thiruvenkadu Temple Festivals
The most important festival is the float festival which is celebrated on the last day of 12 day celebrations in the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March).
Temple Timings
The temple is opened from 6 AM to 12.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM
How to reach Swetharanyeswarar Temple at Thiruvenkadu
Swetharanyeswarar Temple is situated 23 kilometers away from Mayiladuthurai, on the Sirkali – Poompuhar linking road. The temple is 10 km from Sirkazhi and 59 km from Kumbakonam.
Shiyali Railway Station, Thanjavur is the nearest railway station, about 9 km from the temple. Thiruvenkadu is accessible by road from Vaitheeswaran Koil railway station and Semponnar Koil railway station as well.
Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu Route Map
View Larger Map
Nearby Attractions
Naganathar Temple, known as the Kethu Navagraha Sthalam, is located at Keezhperumpallam, around 6 km from Thiruvenkadu. Thiruppallavaneeswaram Temple and Valampuranathar Temple at Melapperumpallam is also located close to Poompuhar. Pullirukkuvelur Vaitheeswaran Koil (Sevvai Sthalam) and Sirkazhi Bhramapureeswarar Temple are just a few minutes drive from the temple.
Picture Courtesy - Rajesh CK - Picassa
can you please print a road map to travel the navagrahas say from Mayavarm or Kumbhakkonam. The planets be named in English instead the tamil transalation. This will help non tamil travellers also.
ReplyDeletewould also like to know the details of archanas, abhisheka timings and other offereings to bhudha bhaghavan.
ReplyDeleteSure I'll be adding the route map for the Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu soon.
ReplyDeleteI thought to add it after posting all the nine Navagraha Temples information. I've already posted the first seven Navagrah temples information here
http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/search/label/Navagraha-Temples
Will add the route map after that.
Regarding the Archanas & Abhisheka timings, I'll try to include as much information available
Thanks,