Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Religious Significance

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 65^th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 11^th 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.