Friday Temple Visit - Week # 92
11th November 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Sri Veda Puriswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
Location
Sri Veda Puriswarar Temple is located on the banks of River Kudamurutti in village Thiruvedhikkudi which lies at a distance of about 3 kms fromThiru Kandiyur, 10 kms from Thiruvaiyaru and 22 kms from Thanjavur.
Uniqueness
The specialty of this temple is, it houses 276 Shiva Lingams representing the 276 Padal Petra Sthalams or the elite group of Shiva temples on which Thevaram Hymns have been sung by the famous four saints, namely, Appar, Sundarar, Thiru Gnana Sambhandar and Manikya Vasakar.
Salient Features.
The Moolavar, the presiding deity Lord Shiva is known by various names such as Sri Veda Pureeswarar, Sri Aaravamuthu Nathar and Sri Vaazhai Madu Nathar. Devi Parvati is known as Mangayarkarasi. The Sthala Vriksham or the Holy tree of the temple is Vilvam and Sthala Theertham or the Holy waters of the temple is a pond named Veda Theertham.
Name of the place / Lord.
From the stone Inscriptions belonging to the period of King Aditya Chozhan-I (871-907 CE) and others, we can gather that the place was earlier known as Parakesari Chaturvedhi Mangalam and the Lord was known as Vedhikudi Mahadevar.
The Lingam of the temple is a sel manifested one (Swayambu Murthy) that arose from a Banana Plant (the plantain stem) and thus got the name Vazhai Mada Nathar. (Vazhai in Tamil language means Banana plant).
According to the Sthala Puranam, the ancient book relating to the Legendds of the temple, the four Vedas Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva, worshipped the Lord in this temple fetching the Lord the name Veda Puriswarar.
History
The temple is very ancient one and has remained in existence for more than 2000 years. The present structure was erected by king Aditya Chozhan-I (871-907 CE). Later renovations were carried out by Chozha kings such as Ko- Parakesari Varman and Ko- Rajakesari Varman etc.
Legend 1 of 3 - Relating to the four Vedas
According to the legends, a demon by name Hayagriva had once stolen the four Vedas from a sleeping Lord Brahma and hid them under the sea. Lord Mahavishnu in his Matsya Avataram (incarnation as a fish) retrieved the four Vedas by converting them into four small children.
To get relief from this sin, the four children (the four Vedas) visited this place and worshiped Lord Shiva who blessed them with purification. This is the reason why the Lord is praised as Sri Veda Pureeswarar.
Legend 2 of 3 - Relating to the marriage of Nandi the bull.
It is believed that Lord Shiva wished that his Vahan, the bull by name Nandi Deva, should get married. The Lord himself took upon the responsibility of organizing things.
It is at this place where Lord Shiva collected Vedhiyar (priest) for Nandi’s Marriage. For academic interest, it may be noted that Nandi was married to Suyasha Devi.
Legend 3 of 3 - Relating to Chozha King.
Another legend associated with this temple relates to a Chozha king who worshiped Lord Shiva here to seek blessings for his daughter's which was getting unduly delayed. The Lord granted wedding boon and the king, after marriage of his daughter named her by the name of Devi Parvati of thd temple, Mangayarkarasi.
In the 7th stanza of his hymn, Saint Thiru Gnana Sambhandar mentions that by worshiping the Lord here and reciting his Pathigam, devotees will be blessed with wedding boon.
Sapta Sthanam Temples
A group of seven Shiva temples, all located in and around Thiruvaiyaru, are collectively referred to as the Sapta Sthanam temples. Apart from this temple, the other six temples are: 1) Aiyarappar temple, Thiruvaiyaru,
2) Apathsahayeswar Temple, Thirupazhanam,
3) Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Thiruchotruthurai,
4) Kandeeswarar Temple, Thirukkandiyur,
5) Pushpavananathar Temple, Thirupanthuruthi and
6) Neyyadiappar Temple, Thiru Neithanam.
Deities in the temple
Lord Vinayaka’s idol is at the entrance of the sanctum and it is in a unique posture. The lord’s head is slightly tilted, and it appears as if he is listening to the mantras chanted by the Vedas. Hence, he is praised as Sri Veda Pillaiyar and Sri Sevi Saitha Vinayakar (the Lord who lent his ears to listen to Veda mantras)
It is believed that Lord Brahma worshiped this Dakshinamurthy, Devotees believe that by worshiping this lord here, their children would be blessed with wisdom and intelligence.
The idol of Ardhanareeswarar is unique here. Normally the male half is on the right side and the female half on the left side. In this temple it is reversed – the female half is on the right and the male half is on the left.
As is the practice in all Shiva temples, a separate shrine is devoted to Lord Muruga.
Lord Mahavishnu can be seen at this temple with his consort Devi Lakshmi and he is known as Sri Lakshmi Narayanan in this temple. An idol of Lord Hanuman can also be seen close to this shrine.
Literary Mentions
This place is a Thirumana Thiruthalam. It is said to be that Thirugnanasambanthar had obtained the vision of Lord’s marriage.
Thevaram hymns on the Lord of this temple have been composed by Saints Thiru Gnana Sambandar and Thirunavukarasar.
Contact information:
Sri Veda Puriswarar Temple,
Thiruvedhikudi,
Kandiyur post-613 202,
Tiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur district,
Tamilnadu, India.
Phone: +91-93451 04187, +91-4362-262 334, 93451 04187, 98429 78302
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