Arulmigu Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu

Thennādudaiya Sivanē Pōtri
Ennāttavarkkum Iraivā Pōtri

The Arulmigu Vedapureeswarar Temple with Goddess Balambigai, located in Thiruverkadu in the Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, is one of the 276 sacred Shiva temples (Paadal Petra Sthalams) praised in the Tevaram hymns. The temple was sung by Saint Thirugnana Sambandar in his hymn beginning with the verse “Olli Thullak Kathikka Mivan Oli.”

This temple is the 23rd Tevaram temple in Thondai Nadu. A unique feature of the temple is that behind the Swayambhu Lingam, there is a relief sculpture depicting the divine wedding scene of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

History of Vedapureeswarar Temple

When the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place in the Himalayas, Sage Agastya was sent to the southern direction so that the world would remain in balance. To bless him, Lord Shiva revealed His wedding form (Kalyana Kolam) to Sage Agastya at Thiruverkadu. Because of this divine event, this sacred place is considered even more special than Kashi. Like Kashi, the Palar River flows here from north to south.

During the time of the cosmic deluge (Pralaya), Lord Shiva commanded the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva) to take the form of Velvel trees and worship Him. After the deluge ended, these trees continued to stand here and worship the Shiva Lingam. Hence the place came to be known as Thiruverkadu.

Before the Soorasamharam, Lord Murugan performed worship here using His Vel (spear). He created the Velayudha Theertham and prayed for forgiveness. Because of this, there is a unique Shiva Lingam present in the Murugan shrine, which is a rare feature found only here. There is also a beautiful sculpture of Lord Murugan standing on a peacock holding a bow and arrow instead of the Vel.

Structure of Vedapureeswarar Temple

• The temple has a five-tier Rajagopuram facing east.
• It contains three prakaram (circumambulatory corridors).
• The sanctum tower (Vimanam) of the main deity is built in Gajaprishta (elephant-back) style.
• Behind the main Lingam is a sculpture of the Shiva–Parvati wedding scene.
• The shrine of the Goddess faces south.
• The Navagraha shrine is placed on an octagonal lotus pedestal, which is believed to help remove planetary afflictions.
• There is a separate shrine for Moorka Nayanar, along with statues of the 63 Nayanmars, Kashi Viswanathar–Visalakshi, and Anabaya Chola.
• Koshta deities include Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, and Durga.

Special Features of Thiruverkadu Shivan Temple

• Moorka Nayanar, one among the 63 Nayanmars, was born in Thiruverkadu.
• The temple is a powerful remedy for removing marriage obstacles, as Lord Shiva showed His wedding form to Sage Agastya here.
• Special prayers here help remove Navagraha doshas.
• Bathing in the sacred theertham on Sundays is believed to cure skin diseases.
• If devotees worship Jagadambigai of Thiruvalithayam, Vadivambigai of Thiruvarur, and Balambigai of Thiruverkadu on the same day, it is believed to grant benefits both in this life and the next.
• The temple is considered especially beneficial for students and researchers of astrology.

Marriage Remedy Ritual at the Temple

Those facing delays in marriage are advised to follow this ritual:

1. Five Weeks Visit
   Visit the temple continuously for five weeks.
2. Garlands
   Bring two garlands and one archana plate every week.
3. Worship
   Offer the two garlands to the Lord and Goddess during the archana. After the prayer, take one garland back.
4. Circumambulation
   Wear the garland around your neck and circumambulate the temple five times.
5. Keep at Home
   Take the garland home and keep it safely in your room.
6. Next Week
   Bring the previous garland the following week and place it on the Velvel tree (the sacred tree of the temple). Then continue the worship with two new garlands.

Festivals Celebrated at Vedapureeswarar Temple

• Maha Shivaratri
• Navaratri
• Margazhi Thiruvathirai
• Panguni Uthiram
• Karthigai Magham (Moorka Nayanar Festival)
• Special poojas on Pradosham, Amavasya, and Pournami

Thiruverkadu Vedapureeswarar Temple Timings

The Arulmigu Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu is open:

• Morning: 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Evening: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

How to Reach Vedapureeswarar Temple?

• From Chennai, travel 17 km on the Chennai–Poonamallee Road and turn right at Velappan Chavadi, then continue for 3 km to reach the temple.
• The nearest railway station is Avadi. From there, take bus S52 or 150, which stops directly near the temple entrance.
• From Thiruverkadu Bus Stand, the temple is about 1 km away (walk or auto).
• The temple is about 1 km from the Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman Temple.

Vedapureeswarar Temple Address

Arulmigu Balambigai Sametha Vedapureeswarar Temple,
Thiruverkadu Post,
Thiruvallur District – 600077
Tamil Nadu, India.

Contact: 044-2627 2430, 044-2627 2487

This post is published by..

Umamaheswari Sivanesan

Vanakkam! I'm Uma, currently living in Chennai. I hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry (M.Sc.), but my true passion lies in spirituality and the rich cultural heritage of Tamil traditions.

Read full bio →