Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – The Temple Complex

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – The Temple Complex

This temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. There is another five tiered gopuram on the western entrance. The temple covers an area of about 12 acres and has five prakarams (pancha prakarams). The temple is completely enclosed within compound walls. Kodimara Vinayagar, Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be found immediately after the rajagopuram facing towards the sanctum. Nandi has nine scars on its body.

The face is turned towards the sanctum and the ears are cocked towards the Brahma Vidyambigai shrine. Thus, Nandi is ready to receive the orders from the divine couple impartially. There is a mandapam in front of the entrance to the inner prakaram. This entrance has single tiered gopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Swetharanyeswarar / Venkaattu Nathar and is facing east.

He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Nardana Ganapathi, Bikshadana, Nataraja, Medha Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma, Ganga Jadathara, Durga and Ardhanareeswarar are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Each of these nine koshtas is crowned by an ornamental makara torana. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. The vimana is of single tier. The griva and shikara of the vimana are circular. 

Brahma Vidyambigai Shrine:

Mother is called as Brahma Vidyambigai. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the north west corner of the outer prakaram. Her shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum enshrines a four armed image of Brahma Vidyambigai. Her front rear hands holds lotus and aksha mala while her front hands shows abhaya and varada hastha.

Bhudhan Shrine:

There is a separate shrine for Bhudhan (mercury) in the temple premises. This shrine is situated on the left side of the Brahma Vidyambigai shrine. This temple is considered as one of the Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu due to the presence of this shrine. Chandra Theertham is situated opposite to this shrine.

Aghora Moorthy Shrine:

The temple is known for its shrine dedicated to Aghora Moorthy, a unique incarnation of Lord Shiva. This shrine is situated in the north western side of the main prakaram. The image of the Aghora Moorthy is around seven feet tall and is eight armed. He is depicted with the head of a beast and with body of a bird. It is said that Lord Shiva took this form to kill a demon named Maruthuva Asura under the Vanni tree. This Vanni tree could be seen near this shrine. The Vilva tree is without thorns. Utsava idol of Aghora Moorthy is housed in a separate shrine nearby.

Nataraja Shrine:

There is a separate shrine for Lord Nataraja in the north western side of the main prakaram. The image of Nataraja holds seven instruments and weapons called Vethalam, Kadagam, Udukku, Mani, Kedayam, Kapalam and Trisulam. Six abishekams are performed for Lord Nataraja in a year. The Chidambara Rahasyam (the secret of the formless and infinite divinity) and Spadika Lingam similar to the Chidambaram Temple are also found in this temple. Abhishekams are performed four times every day for the Spadika Lingam.

The poojas and festivals for Lord Nataraja here are similar to those in Chidambaram. Thiruvenkadu is also praised as Adhi Chidambaram because Lord Nataraja is said to have danced first at this temple before dancing at Chidambaram. It is said that Lord Nataraja performed seven forms of Tandavas called Ananda Tandava, Sandhya Tandava, Samhara Tandava, Tripurantaka Tandava, Urdhva Tandava, Bhujanga Tandava and Lalita Tandava here. There is a shrine for Swethavana Perumal near the shrine of Nataraja similar to Chidambaram Temple.

Pillai Idukki Ambal Shrine:

There is a unique shrine for goddess Parvati in the prakaram of Brahma Vidyambigai shrine. She is praised as Pillai Idukki Ambal (mother carrying a child). There is a shrine for Sukravara Annai nearby.

Vallabha Ganapathi Shrine:

There is a shrine for Vallabha Ganapathy in the temple premises. He is present with his wife Vallabha Devi in this shrine. This shrine looks like an ancient traditional house. It is actually a granary for storing grains.

Ashta Lakshmi Shrine:

The Ashta Lakshmis (eight forms of Lakshmi) are enshrined in two shrines. Each shrine houses four forms of Lakshmi.

Navagrahas Shrine:

There is a separate shrine for the Navagrahas in the temple premises. Navagrahas are placed in a row instead of the general square arrangement.

Other Shrines:

Shrines and idols of Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena,  Idumban, Angalaparameswari, Swetha Maha Kaali, Bhairavar, Suhasana Murthy, Pancha Lingams, Nageswarar, Veerabhadra, Viswanathar with his consort Visalakshi, Brahma, Arumugam, Gajalakshmi, Nalvar, 63 Nayanmars (both metal and stone), Nalvar, Sattanathar, Solaiyappan Mudaliar with his minister, Periya Varana Pillayar, Somaskandar, Dhana Vinayakar, Kasi Thondi Vinayagar, Meikanda Nayanar, Durga, Saneeswarar, Suryan, Swetha Lingam, Katchi Nayanar, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Sapta Matrikas, Lingam worshipped by Chandran and Nagas can be seen in the temple premises.

Hundred pillared mandapam:

There is a hundred pillared mandapam situated in the western prakaram. The pillars of the mandapa are beautifully carved.

Rudra Padam:

The foot print of Lord Shiva (Rudra Padam) can be found under Vadavaal (Peepal) tree. This Rudra Padam is similar to the Vishnu Padam in Gaya. Performing rituals like Shrardha and Tharpanam to the ancestors here are considered to be very auspicious.

Bronze Images:

Bronze images of Nataraja, Somaskanda, Devi, Bhoga Sakthi are housed in the temple, while images of Subramanyar, Rishabhavahana Devar, Bikshadana, Kalyana Sundarar Kannapar and others are housed in the Thanjavur Art Gallery. Bronze images of Ardhanareeswarar and Chandeswara belonged to this temple are now housed in the Chennai Museum.

Theerthams:

Theerthams associated with this temple are Surya, Chandra and Agni Theerthams. Chandra Theertham is situated opposite to the Bhudhan shrine. There is a procedure in taking bath in the theerthams of this temple. Devotees need to take bath first in Agni Theertham, then Surya Theertham and finally in Chandra Theertham.

Sthala Vrikshams:

Sthala Vrikshams are Vadavaal, Kondrai and Vilwam trees. The Sthala Vriksham, Vadavaal (Peepal) tree is situated near to Chandra Theertham. The Vanni tree is situated near the Aghora Moorthy shrine. The Vilva tree is without thorns.