Vedapuriswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi, Thanjavur

Vedapuriswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi, Thanjavur

Vedapuriswarar Temple (Also called as Vazhaimadunathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruvedhikudi near Tiruvaiyaru, Tamilnadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of 7^th century Tamil saint poets, Appar and Sampanthar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

The temple lies on Kudamurutti River. God was emanating from banana tank and hence called Vazhaimadu Nathar. Lingam, in this temple is also called as Vedapuriswarar. This one of the Saptha Sthana Sthalam, this is Third in order.

Legends

A Chola king was much worried because of the delay in the marriage of his daughter.  He came to this temple, worshipped Mother Mangayarkarasi seeking the wedding boon for his daughter.  The wedding took place shortly.  Since the day, he changed the name of his daughter as Mangayarkarasi as a token of his gratitude to Mother.  He also did many renovations to the temple.

An Asuran grabbed the Vedas from Lord Brahma and went deep inside the sea; Sri Maha Vishnu took an Avatar and got back the Vedas from the Asuran. All the Vedas which were along with the asuras, got the Dosham of being along with them, as a result all the Vedas performed Tapas towards Siva Perumaan of this sthalam, since all the Vedas performed tapas, this sthalam is called as "Tiru Vedhikkudi" and Siva Perumaan is called as "Vedhupureeswarar".

The Pranava manthra "OM" came here and worshiped Lord Shiva, where ever the Pranavam goes the Vedhas will follow, hence Pranava manthra "OM" consider to be the peak in Vedhas, because all Vedhas worshiped the lord here, this place is called as Vedhikkudi. This is the place where Lord Shiva collected Vedhiyar (priest) for Nandhi’s Marriage.

This one of the Saptha Sthana Sthalam, this is Third in order. Lord Brahma is said to have worshiped Lord Shiva at this Sthalam (place). Sun’s rays fall on the Sivalingam at sunrise on 13th, 14th and 15th day of Tamil month Panguni every year. It is believed that Sun god Sooriyan performs pooja during these 3 days to Lord Shiva at this sthalam.

Temple Speciality

Lord Vedapuriswarar is a Swayambumurthy. Rays of Sun God fall on the presiding deity on 13, 14 and of Panguni month – March-April.

Greatness of Temple

Saint Tirugnanasambandar had sung the glory of Lord in all his hymns.  In his Pathigam (10 verses) worshipping the Lord of the temple, in the seventh verse, he mentions his mercy on those aspiring an auspicious wedding.

Generally, the Arthanareeswarar form of Lord Shiva has Shakti on the left.  But with a view to give importance to womanhood, Lord is on the left and Mother on the right in the Arthanareeswarar form in this Thiruvedhikudi temple.

As Lord Brahmma (Vedhi) worshipped Lord Shiva here, the place is named Thiruvedhikudi.  Those worshipping Lord Vedapuriswarar will become scholars in Vedas.  The four Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva – had worshipped Lord in this temple. 

Lord Vinayaka, enjoying the sound of the Vedas, listened to the recitation by leaning his ears with all attention.  He thus assumed the name Veda Pillayar.  As many scholars well versed in Vedas live here, the place was also once known as Chaturvedi Mangalam.

Sun God, Indira, Sage Vyasa and Lord Vishnu had worshipped Shiva in this temple.  Surya Puja is performed in the temple on 13, 14 and 15th of Panguni month to Sun God in March-April.

The Temple

The temple has a 3 tier Rajagopuram, one prakara with Listening Vinayaka (Sevi Saitha Vinayaka). 108 Shivalinga, Lords Subramania, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Nataraja, Mothers Durga and Mahalakshmi and Sapthasthanam Linga shrines are in the inner prakara.

There are also epigraphic evidences about the history of the temple belonging to Rajakesari Varman and Koparakesari Varman period.  The name of the Lord is shown as Thiruvedhikudi Mahadevar, Parakesari Chaturvedi Mangala Mahadevar.  As Lord appeared from the plantain (Vazhai) field, He is also praised as Vazhaimadu Nathar.  Pallava kings too had done renovations to the temple.

Sannadhi:

On all 4 sides (directions) of vimanam, 4 Nandi are found which represents the 4 Vedas, behind the Shivan Sannadhi, Ardhanareeswara, who is said to be so powerful and special, is found; Veda Vinayagar is found in a small separate Sannadhi.

Mangala Ambigai:

Ambal tirunaamam, is "Mangayarkarasi”: Mangaiyar - woman, Arasi - queen for all women, this Ambal is said to be the queen and it is evident by worshipping this Ambal, they will get the husband they seek for; during the month of Aadi and Thai - Fridays women who seek good husbands dedicate Sarees and taali towards this Ambal, Sandhana Kaapu for this Ambal is so special.

Bhaktas whose marriage is getting delayed because of chevvai dosham must visit this sthalam to get rid of the dosham, by getting the Dharshan of Sri Subramanyar and performing Abhishekam will reduce the effect of dosham. It is one of the Thirupugazh Petra Murugar Sannadhi.

Dosha Nivarthi Sthalam

This sthalam is one of the Dosha nivarthi sthalam for marriage; In Devaram, Gnana Sambandar says that this is one of the right temples to visit regarding any doshams in marriage. Sambandar also says that anyone who visits this sthalam and requests for their wish towards the Perumaan will definitely happen.

Bhakthas, who have marriage Dosham, visit this sthalam and chant.
"Kanniyanodu aadavargal... vedhikkudye”, In front of the Perumaan, after that, they by doing Abhishekam towards Perumaan will definitely get them a perfect life partner. Once getting married, both the bride and groom visit this sthalam by dedicating their Bhakthi as their wish is fulfilled.
Thirunavukarasar too says that this one of the Dosha nivarthi sthalam.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Prayers

Devotees contribute for the renovation of the temple and perform abishek and aaradhanas offering vastras to Lord and Mother. Devotees contribute for the renovation of the temple and perform abishekam and aaradhanas offering vastras to Lord and Mother.

Singers

Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saints Tirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukarasar.  This is the 14th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

This place is a "Thirumana Thiruthalam". It is said to be that Thirugnanasambanthar had obtained the vision of Lord’s marriage. If delay in marriage is bothering you, do you want a girl/guy of your dreams, do you want a most auspicious wedding, Merciful Vedapureeeshwar has promised to shower his grace upon all those who seek his blessings. Saint Sampanthar, while worshiping the Lord of the temple, sang his Pathigam (10 versus) hymn, viz "Neeruvari ada". This is one of the few hymns, where the Sampanthar ends it on the note (Aras aalwar Aaney namadhey), meaning he swears upon the King of Kings.

In the seventh verse of this song, Saint Sampanthar, mentions the Lord's Mercy on all those aspiring for most auspicious wedding.

“கன்னியரோ டாடவர்கள்  மாமணம் விரும்பிய அருமங்கலமிக மின்னியலும் நுண்ணிடை நன் மங்கையரி யற்றுபதி வேதிகுடியே”

Literal translation of the two lines would be: "The whole-hearted wishes of girls and boys are most auspiciously fulfilled. With Lightening speed, may one be blessed with a slim waist, good virtue bride."

Festivals

Annabishekam during Iyppasi Kandha Sashti, Thirukarthigai and Sivarathri and some of the special festival performed.

Saptha Stanam:

The sapthasthanam festival is conducted at Tiruvaiyaru during April every year. Hundreds of people witness the convergence of seven glass palanquins carrying principal deities of respective temples from seven places at Tiruvaiyaru. The palanquins are paraded near the car stand, the crowd witnessed the Poochoridhal (flower festival) in which a doll offers flowers to the principal deities in the palanquins. After the Poochoridhal, the palanquins left for their respective places. The seven temples are

Temple	Place	District
Aiyarappar temple	Thiruvaiyaru	Thanjavur
Apathsahayar Temple	Tirupazhanam	Thanjavur
Odhanavaneswarar Temple	Tiruchotruthurai	Thanjavur
Vedapuriswarar Temple	Thiruvedhikudi	Thanjavur
Kandeeswarar Temple	Thirukkandiyur	Thanjavur
Puvananathar Temple	Thirupanturuthi	Thanjavur
Neyyadiappar Temple	Tiruneithaanam	Thanjavur

Contact

Sri Vedapuriswarar Temple,

Thiruvedhikudi, Kandiyur post-613 202,

Tiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur district

Phone: +91-93451 04187, +91-4362-262 334, 93451 04187, 98429 78302

Connectivity

The temple is located 5 km east of Tiruvaiyaru and 3 km away from Thirukkandiyur. Kandiyur is 16 km from Thanjavur on the Tiruvaiyaru road. Thiruvedhikudi is 2 km east of Kandiyur bus stop. The devotee should contact the priest in advance. 

Nearest Railway Station is Thanjavur & Nearest Airport is Trichy.