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 hi Periyapuranam, describes Thirugnanasambar’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 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 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. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The moolavar vimanam is of Gaja prishta type on a padabandha adhisthana with tripatta kumuda. In Koshtam 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. 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 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.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThe temple exists before 6th Century and is believed that the temple was re-constructed during Anabaya Chozhan period and an idol of Anabaya Chozhan 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.
LEGEND: 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 Paraachara ( 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, the serpent Adhiseshan worshiped Lord Shiva and promised that it will not bite anybody in this place and so 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---
The temple exists before 6th Century and is believed that the temple was re-constructed during Anabaya Chozhan period and an idol of Anabaya Chozhan 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 ).
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