Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Religious
Significance
Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu:
The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and is a part of
the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state. It houses the
image of Kethu (South Node). The planets are believed to influence the
horoscope computed based on time of one's birth and subsequently influence the
course of life. Each of the planets are believed to move from a star to another
during a predefined period and thus sway over an individual's fortunes. The
Navagrahas, as per Hindu customs, are believed to provide both good and bad
effects for any individual and the bad effects are mitigated by prayers.
As in other Navagraha temples, the
common worship practices of the devotees include offering of cloth, grains,
flowers and jewels specific to the planet deity. Lighting a set of lamps is
also commonly followed in the temple. As per contemporary Shaivite belief,
the energies distributed cyclically by Navagrahas can be channeled based on
remedial measures. As per local legends, Shiva, the overlord of the nine
planetary deities, allowed them to freely grant wishes based on devotion of the
devotees.
Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu are;
1. Suryanar Kovil, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur (Suryan / Sun)
2. Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur, Thanjavur (Chandran / Moon)
3. Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, Vaitheeswaran Koil,Nagapattinam (Chevvai / Mars)
4. Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu, Nagapattinam (Budhan / Mercury)
5. Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi, Thiruvarur (Guru / Jupiter)
6. Agniswarar Temple, Kanjanur, Thanjavur (Sukran / Venus)
7. Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple (Dharbaranyeswarar Temple), Karaikal, Puducherry (Sani /Saturn)
8. Naganathaswamy Temple, Tirunageswaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur (Rahu / North Node)
9. Naganathaswamy Temple, Keezhperumpallam, Nagapattinam (Kethu / South Node)
Saptha Vana Sthalams:
Poompuhar
(Kaveripoompattinam) is surrounded by seven forests (Vanam in Tamil) and seven
temples associated with the family of Lord Shiva. They are;
1. Valampuranathar Temple, Melaperumpallam (Thala
Vanam & Ganapathy Sthalam)
2. Chayavaneswarar Temple, Chayavanam (Chaya Vanam &
Shiva Sthalam)
3. Pallavaneswarar Temple, Poompuhar (Pallava Vanam
& Parvathy Sthalam)
4. Swetharanyeswarar Temple , Thiruvengadu (Vellai
Vanam & Nataraja Sthalam)
5. Madhangeeswarar Temple, Nangur (Mathanga Vanam &
Murugan Sthalam)
6. Mullaivananathar Temple, Thirumullaivasal (Mullai
Vanam & Bhairavar Sthalam)
7. Airavatheswarar Temple, Perunthottam (Punga Vanam
& Chandikeswarar Sthalam)
Equivalent
to Kasi Vishwanathar Temple:
This temple is considered as one of the six temples along
the banks of the Kaveri which are considered equivalent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. These temples are:
·
Aiyarappar Temple, Thiruvaiyaru
·
Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur
·
Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai
·
Chayavaneswarar Temple, Sayavanam
·
Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu
·
Srivanchinadhaswamy Temple, Srivanchiyam
Pancha
Aranya Kshetrams:
Pancha Aranya Kshetrams are group of five temples
located at different forests. The Pancha Aranya Kshetrams are;
·
Chayavaneswarar Temple, Chayavanam
·
Pallavaneswarar Temple, Poompuhar
·
Swetharanyeswarar Temple,Thiruvenkadu
·
Aranya Sundareswarar Temple, Keezhai Thirukattupalli
·
Sankaranyeswarar Temple, Thalaichangadu
Adi Chidambaram:
This temple is considered to be the Adi Chidambaram (First Chidambaram) because Lord
Shiva was said to have danced first at this temple before dancing at
Chidambaram. Lord Shiva performed seven forms of Tandavas called Ananda
Thandavam, Sandhya Thandavam, Samhara Thandavam, Tripurantaka Thandavam, Urdhva
Thandavam, Bhujanga Thandavam and Lalita Thandavam here. Lord Nataraja holds
seven instruments here confirming that he had performed seven thandavams here.
Like Govindaraja Perumal Temple inside Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, there is
shrine for Vishnu called Swetha Vana Perumal in the temple premises. The temple
pooja is similar to Chidambaram for Spadika Lingam and also has Chidambara
Rahasyam.
Paadal Petra Sthalams:
This temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early
medieval Thevaram hymns. This temple is the 65th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 11th sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This temple is considered as one of the 44
Paadal Petra Sthalams where the Moovar (Thirugnana Sambanthar, Appar and
Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
Thiruvasaga Sthalams:
The temple also finds mention in Thiruvasagam written by Manikkavasakar. Hence, the temple is considered as Thiruvasaga Sthalam.
Three Shivas, Goddesses, Theerthams and Sthala
Vrikshams:
The temple is noted for its three Shivas
(Swetharanyeswarar, Nataraja & Aghora Moorthy), three Sakthis (Brahma
Vidyambigai, Swetha Maha Kaali & Durga), three Sthala Vrikshams (Vadavaal,
Kondrai & Vilwam trees) and three theerthams (Surya, Chandra & Agni Theerthams).
Sakthi Peedams:
This temple is considered as one of the 51 Sakthi Peedams
of Tamil Nadu. Goddess Parvathy is
praised here as Pranava Sakthi.