Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu – The Temple

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.