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Close view of a tiered gopuram with painted figures and a Tamil name board reading Siva Siva.
Swayambu

Thiruverkadu Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple 23rd of 32 in Thondai Nadu · Temples near Chennai

Darshan today6:30 am – 8:30 pm
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Moolavar
Vedapureeswarar, Verkattu Nathar
Ambal
Balambikai, Verkanni Ambal
Theertham
Velayutha Theertham, Veda Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Vela tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 1,000 words · 5 min

Visited on: 17th July, 2016.

Location

Thiruverkadu is situated at a distance of about 7 kms from Poonamallee on the Poonamallee to Avadi route. From Koyambedu Bus stand (Chennai) it is about 10 kms.

This temple is about 1 kilometre away from the popular Sri Devi Karumariamman temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvalithayam, Thirumullaivayil, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur.

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Vedapureeswarar, Sri Verkattu Nathar
Ambal
Sri Balambikai, Sri Verkanni Ambal
Theertham (Holy water)
Velayutha Theertham, Veda Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vela tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 23rd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 3 corridors.
  • The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum has been constructed according to the Gaja Brishtam style of architecture.
  • This is the birth place of Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Paalaru and is believed to be more than 1300 years old. Based on the architecture of this temple, it can be inferred that it was built during the Chola period. The historical name of this place is Vada Vedaranyam.

This temple is under the administrative control of Sri Devi Karumariyamman Temple, Thiruverkadu.

A tall painted gopuram above the entrance, with devotees and flower sellers on the street below.

Legend

It is believed that this is one of the temples where Sage Agasthiar was blessed with the wedding darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. In the sanctum sanctorum, behind the main deity, there is a relief that depicts the lord and goddess in their wedding posture.

It is believed that all the four Vedas have worshiped the lord here in the form of Vela trees (Acacia Nilotica). Hence this place gets the name “Vel Kadu” (kadu means forest in Tamil). Later, over a period of time, the auspicious prefix “Thiru” has been added and this place is now called Thiruverkadu.

Another legend associated with this temple is that of Lord Murugan. It is believed that Lord Murugan imprisoned Lord Brahma for not being able to explain the meaning of “Pranava Mantra” (Aum / Om). Lord Shiva sent Nandhi to Lord Murugan’s abode asking him to release Lord Brahma. But Lord Murugan was not willing to do so. Lord Shiva himself went to Lord Murugan and explained him the importance of Lord Brahma’s work which were being put on hold due to his captivity. Lord Shiva then got Lord Brahma released. However, Lord Shiva asked Lord Murugan to go to this temple and offer his prayers in order to seek absolution for all the trouble that he had caused by imprisoning Lord Brahma.

It is believed that Lord Murugan then created the “Velayutha Theertham” (sacred holy water tank) at this temple using his spear (Vel) and worshiped Lord Shiva. This beautiful tank can still be seen inside the temple complex. Lord Murugan can be seen here with a Shivalingam in front of him.

As per the ‘sthala puranam’, serpent Adisheshan is believed to have worshiped the lord here and promised that he would not bite anyone in this place. Hence, the place is also known as “Visham Theenda Pathy” – a place where no snake bite occurs.

Sage Paraachara, who is considered to be a great scholar in astrology, is also believed to have worshiped the lord here.

Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, was born in this place. It is believed that he spent his entire money by offering food to devotees of Lord Shiva. He resolutely followed the principle of taking his food only after offering food to some Shiva devotees. When his entire wealth was extinguished, he started gambling and spent whatever he earned for the same cause. When the losers refused to pay him his dues, he used violence to recover the money. As he is believed to have been ruthless in recovering what he was owed by the losers, he is called “Moorka Nayanar” (Moorka means violent in Tamil).

Deities in the temple

Apart from the shrines of Lord Vedapureeswarar and Goddess Balambikai, shrines and idols of lords Varasidhi Vinayakar, Nagarajar (Adisheshan), Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Nalvar, 63 Nayanmars, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Sekkizhar, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Navagraham, Saint Agasthiar and King Anabaya Cholan can be seen in the corridors.

There are separate shrines for Lord Saneeswaran, Saint Moorka Nayanar and Saint Arunagirinathar in the outer corridors.

A large old tree with spreading branches behind a red railing, beside a stone wall and a domed shrine roof.
A small dark image under a gold arch, with Tamil hymn texts on black boards behind it.
Devotees walking under a curved roof towards inner shrines, with a gold flagstaff at right.
Curved stone walls of the sanctum, with a small carved figure in a niche and a lamp burning below.

Salient Features

The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special style of architecture called the Gaja Brishtam. This makes the vimanam look like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear). This is also known as “Thoonganai Maadam” in Tamil (thoong(um) - sleeping, aanai - elephant, maadam - top of a temple).

The fact that there is a Shivalingam in front of Lord Murugan’s idol is unique to this temple. Also, Lord Murugan is seen holding a bow and arrow instead of his usual spear.

It is significant to note that in this temple the Navagraham is placed on “Padma Pedam” and is in the shape of an octagon. This temple is also famous as a parihara sthalam for Navagraha dosham.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Greatness of this temple

Since Lord Shiva of this temple is in his wedding form, devotees believe that worshiping the lord here will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.

Devotees prefer to conduct their 81st birth day (“Sadabishekam”) in this temple.

Important Festivals

On a full moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May), Attrural festival is celebrated in a grand manner.

Other important festivals celebrated in this temple are –

Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar),

Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct),

Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) and

Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 06:30 AM to 08:30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple,
Thiruverkadu Post,
Thiruvallur District,
Chennai,
Tamil Nadu – 600 077.
Tele: +91 44-2627 2430, 2627 2487.

*
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Today6:30 am – 8:30 pm
Phone+91 44-2627 24302627 2487
A shrine doorway under a painted tower, with a green Tamil information board at right.
Devotees in a covered hall, with a gold flagstaff, a railing and painted shrine towers beyond.
A tiered gopuram rising above a pillared hall roof, with painted figures along the roofline.

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

A shrine in the Gaja Brishtam style

The vimanam over the sanctum looks like the rear of an elephant, and the temple has features found nowhere else.

  1. Gaja Brishtam vimanamThe vimana of the sanctum is designed in the Gaja Brishtam style, which makes it look like the rear of an elephant.
  2. Shivalingam before MuruganThe Shivalingam in front of Lord Murugan's idol is unique to this temple, and Murugan holds a bow and arrow instead of his usual spear.
  3. Navagraham on Padma PedamThe Navagraham is placed on a Padma Pedam in the shape of an octagon.
Significance

A Devara Paadal Petra sthalam

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar sang the Pathigam of this temple.

  1. In Thondai NaduIt is a Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
  2. Where a Nayanmar was bornThis is the birth place of Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the Nayanmars.
  3. Wedding darshanSage Agasthiar was blessed here with the wedding darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for marriage, for relief from Navagraham dosham and to hold the Sadabishekam.

  1. For marriage: obstacles removedSince Lord Shiva here is in his wedding form, devotees believe worship removes obstacles from marriage proposals.
  2. For relief from Navagraham doshamThe temple is also famous as a parihara sthalam for Navagraha dosham.
  3. For the SadabishekamDevotees prefer to conduct the birth day celebration called Sadabishekam in this temple.
The Rajagopuram and the temple entrance
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

How Thiruverkadu got its name

  1. திருAn auspicious prefix
  2. வேல்Vela trees
  3. காடுForest

The Vedas worshiped the lord here as Vela trees, so the place became Vel Kadu.

Vada Vedaranyam

    Legends of the temple

    Sage Agasthiar was blessed with the wedding darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.

    Lord Murugan imprisoned Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva had him released and asked Murugan to pray at this temple.

    Lord Murugan created the Velayutha Theertham with his spear and worshiped Lord Shiva.

    Adisheshan worshiped the lord and promised that he would not bite anyone in this place.

    What devotees pray for

    • MarriageDevotees believe worship here removes obstacles from their marriage proposals.
    • Navagraham doshamThe temple is a parihara sthalam for Navagraha dosham.

    Saints of this place

    1. Moorka NayanarBorn in this place, he offered food to Shiva devotees with all his money.
    2. ArunagirinadharSang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his Thirupugazh.
    3. Sage ParaacharaA great scholar in astrology, he is also believed to have worshiped the lord here.

    Festivals through the year

      The Attrural festival is celebrated in a grand manner in Chithirai. Maha Shivrathri, Navarathri, Thiruvadhirai and Panguni Uthiram are also observed.

      Deities

      The deities of this temple

      * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

      From the sanctum to the corridors
      Moolavarவே
      Moolavar

      Sri Vedapureeswarar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

      Ambalபா
      Ambal

      Goddess Balambikai

      Goddess Balambikai has her own shrine, apart from the shrine of Lord Vedapureeswarar.

      Shrine in the corridorமு
      Shrine in the corridor

      Lord Murugan

      The Shivalingam in front of Lord Murugan's idol is unique to this temple. Lord Murugan is seen holding a bow and arrow instead of his usual spear.

      Shrine in the corridorந
      Shrine in the corridor

      Navagraham

      The Navagraham is placed on a Padma Pedam and is in the shape of an octagon.

      Shrine in the outer corridorமூ
      Shrine in the outer corridor

      Saint Moorka Nayanar

      There is a separate shrine for Saint Moorka Nayanar in the outer corridors.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Thiruverkadu Thirumullaivoyal Thiruvalidayam Mylapore, Chennai Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai Thirukkallil Thiruvotriyur, Chennai Thirupachur Thiruvenpakkam Thiruvirkolam Ilambaiyangkottur Thirukachur Thiruvalangadu
      You are hereThis temple

      Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today6:30 am – 8:30 pm
      6:30 – 8:30

      Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu Post, Thiruvallur District, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600 077.

      +91 44-2627 2430

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 51.6 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiruverkadu and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thirumullaivoyal, Thiruvalidayam, Mylapore, Chennai, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Thiruvotriyur, Chennai. Thiruverkadu 1 Thirumullaivoyal 2 Thiruvalidayam 3 Mylapore, Chennai 4 Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 5 Thiruvotriyur, Chennai 5 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.
      1. 1 ThirumullaivoyalSri Masilamaneeswarar Temple7.5 km from the last stop
      2. 2 ThiruvalidayamSri Thiruvalleswarar Temple7.3 km from the last stop
      3. 3 Mylapore, ChennaiSri Kapaleeswarar Temple11.4 km from the last stop
      4. 4 Thiruvanmiyur, ChennaiSri Marundeeswarar Temple5.4 km from the last stop
      5. 5 Thiruvotriyur, ChennaiSri Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple19.9 km from the last stop
      Open this route in Google Maps →

      Temple plan

      A large old tree with spreading branches behind a red railing, beside a stone wall and a domed shrine roof.
      01

      Vela tree

      The Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree) is the Vela tree.

      1 / 5

      Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

      Pathigam

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

      Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 11.

      Oḷḷi thuḷḷak kathikkā mivaṉoḷi
      veḷḷi yāṉuṟai vēṟkāṭu
      uḷḷi yāruyarn thāriv vulakiṉil
      theḷḷi yāravar thēvarē

      The verse speaks of the lord who dwells in Verkadu. It says that those who contemplate him rise high in this world, and that those who understand him clearly are like gods.

      Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

      Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

      All eleven verses

      1. 01

        ஒள்ளி துள்ளக் கதிக்கா மிவனொளிவெள்ளி யானுறை வேற்காடுஉள்ளி யாருயர்ந் தாரிவ் வுலகினில்தெள்ளி யாரவர் தேவரே

        Oḷḷi thuḷḷak kathikkā mivaṉoḷi / veḷḷi yāṉuṟai vēṟkāṭu / uḷḷi yāruyarn thāriv vulakiṉil / theḷḷi yāravar thēvarē

      2. 02

        ஆடல் நாகம் அசைத்தள வில்லதோர்வேடங் கொண்டவன் வேற்காடுபாடி யும்பணிந் தாரிவ் வுலகினில்சேட ராகிய செல்வரே

        Āṭal nākam asaithaḷa villathōr / vēṭaṅ koṇṭavaṉ vēṟkāṭu / pāṭi yumpaṇin thāriv vulakiṉil / sēṭa rākiya selvarē

      3. 03

        பூதம் பாடப் புறங்காட் டிடையாடிவேத வித்தகன் வேற்காடுபோதுஞ் சாந்தும் புகையுங் கொடுத்தவர்க்கேதம் எய்துத லில்லையே

        Pūtam pāṭap puṟaṅkāṭ ṭiṭaiyāṭi / vētha vithakaṉ vēṟkāṭu / pōthuñ chānthum pukaiyuṅ koṭuthavark / kētham eythutha lillaiyē

      4. 04

        ஆழ்க டலெனக் கங்கை கரந்தவன்வீழ்ச டையினன் வேற்காடுதாழ்வி டைமனத் தாற்பணிந் தேத்திடப்பாழ்ப டும்மவர் பாவமே

        Āzhka ṭaleṉak kaṅkai karanthavaṉ / vīzhsa ṭaiyiṉaṉ vēṟkāṭu / thāzhvi ṭaimaṉath thāṟpaṇin thēththiṭap / pāzhpa ṭum'mavar pāvamē

      5. 05

        காட்டி னாலும் அயர்த்திடக் காலனைவீட்டி னானுறை வேற்காடுபாட்டி னாற்பணிந் தேத்திட வல்லவர்ஓட்டி னார்வினை ஒல்லையே

        Kāṭṭi ṉālum ayarththiṭak kālaṉai / vīṭṭi ṉāṉuṟai vēṟkāṭu / pāṭṭi ṉāṟpaṇin thēththiṭa vallavar / ōṭṭi ṉārviṉai ollaiyē

      6. 06

        தோலி னாலுடை மேவவல் லான்சுடர்வேலி னானுறை வேற்காடுநூலி னாற்பணிந் தேத்திட வல்லவர்மாலி னார்வினை மாயுமே

        Thōli ṉāluṭai mēvaval lāṉsuṭar / vēli ṉāṉuṟai vēṟkāṭu / nūli ṉāṟpaṇin thēththiṭa vallavar / māli ṉārviṉai māyumē

      7. 07

        மல்லல் மும்மதில் மாய்தர எய்ததோர்வில்லி னான்உறை வேற்காடுசொல்ல வல்ல சுருங்கா மனத்தவர்செல்ல வல்லவர் தீர்க்கமே

        Mallal mum'mathil māythara eythathōr / villi ṉāṉuṟai vēṟkāṭu / solla valla churuṅkā maṉathavar / sella vallavar thīrkkamē

      8. 08

        மூரல் வெண்மதி சூடும் முடியுடைவீரன் மேவிய வேற்காடுவார மாய்வழி பாடுநி னைந்தவர்சேர்வர் செய்கழல் திண்ணமே

        Mūral veṇmathi chūṭum muṭiyuṭai / vīraṉ mēviya vēṟkāṭu / vāra māyvazhi pāṭuni ṉainthavar / sērvar seykazhal thiṇṇamē

      9. 09

        பரக்கி னார்படு வெண்டலை யிற்பலிவிரக்கி னான்உனறை வேற்காட்டூர்அரக்கன் ஆண்மை யடரப்பட் டான்இறைநெருக்கி னானை நினைமினே

        Parakki ṉārpaṭu veṇṭalai yiṟpali / virakki ṉāṉuṉaṟai vēṟkāṭṭūr / arakkaṉ āṇmai yaṭarappaṭ ṭāṉiṟai / nerukki ṉāṉai niṉaimiṉē

      10. 10

        மாறி லாமல ரானொடு மாலவன்வேற லானுறை வேற்காடுஈறி லாமொழி யேமொழி யாஎழில்கூறி னார்க்கில்லை குற்றமே

        Māṟi lāmala rāṉoṭu mālavaṉ / vēṟa lāṉuṟai vēṟkāṭu / īṟi lāmozhi yēmozhi yā'ezhil / kūṟi ṉārkkillai kutṟamē

      11. 11

        விண்ட மாம்பொழில் சூழ்திரு வேற்காடுகண்டு நம்பன் கழல்பேணிச்சண்பை ஞானசம் பந்தன செந்தமிழ்கொண்டு பாடக் குணமாமே

        The last verse names Gnanasambandan and says that those who sing these Tamil verses after seeing the lord of Thiruverkadu will find good.

        Viṇṭa māmpozhil chūzhthiru vēṟkāṭu / kaṇṭu nampaṉ kazhalpēṇich / saṇpai gñāṉasam banthaṉa senthamizh / koṇṭu pāṭak kuṇamāmē

      Photos

      Photographs

      9 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

      Close view of a tiered gopuram with painted figures and a Tamil name board reading Siva Siva.
      A tall painted gopuram above the entrance, with devotees and flower sellers on the street below.
      A large old tree with spreading branches behind a red railing, beside a stone wall and a domed shrine roof.
      A small dark image under a gold arch, with Tamil hymn texts on black boards behind it.
      Devotees walking under a curved roof towards inner shrines, with a gold flagstaff at right.
      Curved stone walls of the sanctum, with a small carved figure in a niche and a lamp burning below.
      A shrine doorway under a painted tower, with a green Tamil information board at right.
      Devotees in a covered hall, with a gold flagstaff, a railing and painted shrine towers beyond.
      A tiered gopuram rising above a pillared hall roof, with painted figures along the roofline.