Thiruvenkadu

Padal Petra Sthalam, Nagapattinam District

God

Thiruvenkattunadhar (also Suvedharanyar), facing east

Goddess

Periyanayagi (also Brahmavidyanayagi), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Pillai Idukki Amman, Sukkiravara Amman, 63 Nayanmars, Badrakali, Nalvar, Veerabadra, Nagalingam, Visweswarar, Gajalakshmi, Ashtabhujadurgai, Bhairava

Thiruvenkadu is a very large temple filled with architectural and sculptural splendor. Its beautiful lotus filled temple tank, the wide open spaces and the glorious sea breeze in the evenings is something to be experienced to be believed. The east facing temple has a large 5 tiered Rajagopuram, a large temple tank and two other smaller tanks, two level corridors surrounding the courtyard and a Sabhai for Natarajar. Thiruvenkadu temple is also called Aadhi Chidambaram as Lord Nataraja is believed to have performed his dance before Chidambaram. Thiruvenkadu is one of the 6 temples which are considered equal to Kashi (the others are Thiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimarudhur, Thiruchayakadu and Thiruvanjiyam). The specialty here is the temple has 3 gods(Suvedharanyar, Natarajar, Agoramurthy) 3 goddesses(Brahmavidyanayagi, Svedhamahakali, Sowbhagyadurgai), 3 Theerthams and 3 Sthala Vrikshams. This is a Budhan (planet Mercury) Sthalam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Surya Theertham, Chandra Theertham, Agni Theertham (3 ponds)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Aal (Banyan – Ficus benghalensis), Kondrai (Indian Laburnum), Vilvam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar (7th – 8th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Thiruvenkadu.

Legend

Since the goddess taught to Brahma she is called Brahmavidyanayagi. Swethagethu, the son of a sage, realized that his life will end at the age of 8. He was a sincere Shiva devotee. When Yama came to end his life at the prescribed time, Lord Shiva is believed to have curtailed him and saved the child here at Thiruvenkadu. This incident and temple features in Valmiki’s Ramayana. Lord Shiva is believed to have performed his cosmic dance here at Thiruvenkadu including 9 Thandavams (Ananda Thandavam, Kali Nritham, Gauri Thandavam, Muni Nritham, Sandhya Thandavam, Thirupura Thandavam, Bhujanga Lalitham, Samhara Thandavam and Baishadanam).

Directions

Thiruvenkadu is about 13 Kilometers south east of Sirkazhi.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Mayiladuthurai or Sirkazhi

Padal Petra Sthalams