Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – History
The temple might have been in existence from 1th century CE. The temple
was completely reconstructed in granite during the reign of Aditya Chola I in 9th
century CE. Most of the present structures and bronze images in the temple are
a contribution of the Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. Vikrama Chola built the Vikrama
Cholan Tirumandapam (1118 – 1135 CE). The temple received extensive patronage
from Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kingdom, Nayakas and Marathas. There are
about 100 inscriptions recorded in this temple.
Inscriptions
dating back to reigns of Chola Kings Aditya Chola 1, Aditya Karikala, Uthama
Chola, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Veera Rajendra Chola, Kulothunga
Chola I, Vikrama Chola & Rajadhiraja Chola II, Pandyan Kings Kulasekara
Pandya, Koumara Pandya, Jadavarman Sundara Pandya, Vikrama Pandya, Parakrama
Pandya & Vallabha Deva and Vijayanagara King Krishna Devaraya & Viruppanna
Udaiyar, son of Harihara II and Maratha ruler Thukoji can be seen in this temple.
Inscriptions
records the various endowments made to this temple, names of the kings, queens
& officials of various dynasties, gifts of several images of deities,
worship practices, festivals, land grants made to the learned people, musicians
and vedic priests, feeding the devotees, burning of perpetual lamps, establishment
of mathas & Nandavanam, confiscation of properties of the enemy of the
state and renovation activities carried out in this temple.
Lord
Shiva was mentioned as Thiruvenkadar, Tiruvenkattu Devar, Tiruvenkattu Udaiyar and
Tiruvenkattu Peruman in the inscriptions. This temple is mentioned in Valmiki
Ramayana and Silapathikaram. Thiruvenkadu is considered as birthplace of Pattinathar,
Meikandar and Tiruvenkattu Nangai, wife of Saint Siruthonda Nayanar, one of the
63 Nayanmars. The temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.