Veerabadraswami Temple, Nagapattinam
Veerabadraswami
Temple is located near old bus stand in Nagapattinam Town. Sthala Vriksham is Ilandhai
Tree and Theertham is Veera Ganga Theertham. Agni Veerabhadra and Agora
Veerabhadra are the processional deities of this Temple.
Legends
Daksha,
father of Mother Parvathi was killed by Veerabadra for conducting a yajna
without inviting Lord Shiva with the intention of humiliating him. But
Veerabadra had to incur the Brahmmahathi dosha for committing a killing. Sages advised
Veerabadra to perform Shiva puja in earth. They said that he had to throw
his ornaments in a river and chose that place where the ornaments reach the
banks. The ornaments were washed ashore in this place. Veerabadra
installed a Linga, performed pujas and got relieved of the dosha. The temple
was built later here.
The
Temple
Sri
Veerabadra is facing west from a separate shrine. Generally, Daksha is nearby
bowing to the deity. In this temple, Sri Veerabadra is seen holding the
head of Daksha. According to belief that a dosha covering Veerabadra left him
on the Aipasi Poosa star day in October-November when special pujas are
dedicated to him. It is believed that Sri Veerabadra himself is performing
this Shiva Puja. During the midday puja, the procession deity Agora
Veerabadra is taken to Lord Viswanatha’s shrine for the purpose. During this
puja, we have the joint darshan of Lord Shiva and Sri Veerabadra.
Though
Lord Viswanatha and Mother Visalakshi are the principal deities of the temple,
more prominence is attached to Sri Veerabadra. The temple also is known
after Sri Veerabadra. There are two procession deities, Agni Veerabadra
and Agora Veerabadra. Ambica Veerasakthi graces the devotees in the front
Mandapam of Sri Veerabadra. There is also a shrine for other guardian
deity Veera Makali who is believed to be guardian to Veerabadra himself.
There
are three demons under her feet. Those concerned about the welfare of
children and facing obstacles in marriage proposals pray to Veera Makali with
rice flour pudding – Kali in Tamil. The temple also has shrines for Lords
Vinayaka, Muruga, Chandikeswara, Navagrahas the nine planets and mother
Gajalakshmi.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple
is open from 6 am to 11.am and from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Festivals
Mahasivarathri
in February-March; Navarathri in September-October and Tirukarthikai in
November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Those
confused of issues, shy and expecting some boons and facing adverse planetary
effects, use to light 9 ghee lamps, place on them in a plate and hold the plate
above their heads during puja times. They hold the plate with lamps till
the puja ends. Special pujas are dedicated to Lord Veerabadra on Sundays,
Poosa Star days, Poornimas and monthly Shivrathri days. Devotees pray here to
overcome shyness and relief from doshas. Devotees perform abishek and offer
vastras to Lord and Mother.
Contact
Sri
Veerabadraswami Temple,
Near old
bus stand,
Nagapattinam
– 611 001
Mobile: +91 – 98949 06455
Connectivity
The
temple is near the Nagapattinam old bus stand. Buses are available from the new
bus stand also. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nagapattinam and Nearest
Airport is located at Trichy.