Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu – The Temple
The
temple complex covers two acres and it houses two gateway towers. The main Rajagopuram
is on the east side with five tiers and has various sculptures on it. It has
three prakaras-corridors. The temple
tank is located outside the main entrance. Inside the temple,
there are two corridors. At the main entrance, the sculptures of Ganapathy and Muruga
can be found on both the sides. There is a tall and beautiful Dhwajastambha
adding beauty to the temple. Vinayagar can be seen present in an elevated
shrine under the tree in the temple just as we enter the temple near the
Dhwajastambha.
While
entering the temple, one has to pray Vinayagar and then go further to worship
Sri Karumari Amman. The Goddess is facing east. It is said that originally the
Goddess evolved from an ant hill. Amman is so beautiful with a smiling face and
decorated well with lots of flowers. Nandi mandap, bali peetha and the flag
staff are found facing towards the sanctum. The main shrine accommodates the
image of Shiva known as Vedapureeswarar / Verkaateesar.
Lord
Shiva is a Swayambumurthy. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy are behind the Linga
in their wedding form, a special feature in the temple. The Vimana above the
sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabrushta design. The wall around the sanctum has the
very beautiful niche images of Ganesha, Dakshina Murti, Lingodhbava, Brahma and
Durga. Chandikeswara is found in his usual location.
Sri
Lingothbavar i.e Linga where one can see the Lord Brahma in Annapakshi (bird)
form on the upper portion of the Lingam and Lord Vishnu in Varaha form on the
lower portion of the Lingam on the backside of the outer wall of the Sanctum is
present behind the sanctum on the outer wall. Just behind the sanctum, Kasi
Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Anabaya Chozhan and Sekkizhar are seen facing East
towards Lingothbavar. Sandikeswarar is facing south towards the Lord and
another Sandeeswarar is also seen sitting and meditating the Lord looking
towards the sanctum.
Mother
is called as Balambikai / Verkanni Amman. There is a separate shrine for
Balambigai to the right of Vedapureeswarar sanctum. She is facing south and has
Simha Vahanam facing her towards north. Sri Ambal here is believed to be so
powerful granting the wishes of the devotees worshipping her. The first precinct on the four sides of the sanctum sanctorum are decorated
with the images of Nayanmars, Murugan Sannadhi in the northwest and Durga Sannadhi on the northeast. Nandhigeswarar is so
beautifully present at the outer prakaram.
Lord Subramanya
is found at the prakaram (corridor) around the sanctum without any weapons in
his hand. Also, there is a Shiva Lingam seen in front of Lord Muruga which
is rare to see. Sri Arunagirinathar has sung Thiruppugazh on Lord Muruga here
and has a separate shrine facing west on the south-eastern side. Navagrahas are
found at the north-eastern side of the temple. Navagrahas are found in a unique
octagonal shaped pedestal. Surya is in the middle and all other Grahas are
showing their backside to him. Sri Brahma is found on one of the walls facing
north.
There is
another small shrine adjacent to this temple, where a huge ant hill is found
under a Peepul tree. Devotees offer milk and eggs for the snakes in this ant hill
is found under a Peepal tree. Camphor’s are also lit here to offer worship. The
entire ant hill is yellow in color as devotees have applied turmeric powder on
it. Idols of 63 Nayanmars including Naalvar (Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar
and Thirugnana Sambandhar) can be found in a row at the southern prakaram.
Dhakshinamoorthy
is found at the southern side of the prakaram. At the south-western side, there
is a separate shrine for Sri Sannadhi Vinayagar. This is the birth place of
Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 celebrated Saivite Saints. There is a
shrine for Moorka Nayanar in the outer corridor of the temple. This Shrine
is located on the north-eastern side of the outer prakaram. The Shiva Ganas are
seen on the top of the walls of the temple on specific directions, guarding the
whole temple. There is a separate shrine for Sri Saneeswarar in the
prakaram of this Temple.
The
Sthala Viruksham is called Velvela Maram which is seen on the outer prakaram. There
is a Shiva Lingam and Sri Nandhi under the Sthala Viruksham. Theertham
associated with this Temple are Veda Theertham, Pali River and Velayudha
Theertham. The temple pond is found in front of the temple which is so
beautiful with a small Mandapam in the middle. A tall and beautiful temple
Chariot is parked in a separate Mandapam adjacent to the temple.