Swetharanyeswarar Temple

Introduction to the Swetharanyeswarar Temple

Swetharanyeswarar Temple is well-known as Budhan Sthalam. It lies in Thiruvenkadu village, Sirkazhi Taluk, Mayiladuthurai. It is one of the Navagraha temples associated with Budha Bagawan (Planet Mercury). Swetharanyeswarar Temple is the fourth Navagraha Sthalam in Tamil Nadu.

The name Thiruvenkadu is derived from two Tamil words, 'Ven' means 'white', and 'Kadu' means 'forest'. In Sanskrit, 'Sweta' means 'white', and 'aranyam' means 'forest'. It is referred to as a sacred white forest. The unique feature of the Swetharanyeswarar Temple is that it has three Murthis, three Theerthams, three Shaktis, and three Vrikshams.

It is the 65th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 11th Shiva Sthalam on the banks of River Cauvery in Tamilnadu. Aadi Chidambaram, Swetharanyam, Gnana Aranyam, and Patala Kailas are other names for Swetharanyeswarar Temple

Swetharanyeswarar Temple is one of the six most sacred places on the banks of River Manikarnigai and Cauvery

Legend of the Swetharanyeswarar Temple

According to the temple legend, a demon named Maruthuvan obtained many boons from Brahma and started harassing Devas and others. When they approached Shiva, he advised them to go and live in disguise in Thiruvenkadu. He then sent Nandi to subdue the demon. But Nandi was injured in the battle. Shiva became enraged and created Aghora Moorthy, a fierce form, and directed him to punish the demon.

When Aghora Moorthy confronted Maruthuvan, the demon surrendered to this mighty form and pleaded for mercy. He also requested Shiva for the blessing that people worshipping Aghora Moorthy in Thiruvenkadu will not have any enemies.

The Architecture of the Swetharanyeswarar Temple

Chola kings Aditya Chola and Rajaraja Chola built the Swetharanyeswarar Temple 1000 years ago. The temple features the Dravidian architectural style.

The Swetharanyeswarar Temple occupies 12 acres of land, with all its shrines and Theerthams housed inside granite walls. There are two entrances to the temple. The temple faces east with a five-tiered Rajagopuram. There is another five-tiered Rajagopuram at the western entrance. There are five prakarams in the temple. Bali Peedam, Kodimara Vinayagar, Dhwaja Sthambam, and Nandi are immediately seen after the Rajagopuram. Visitors can see nine scars on Nandi's body.

A Mandap is in front of the entrance of the inner prakaram. A single-tiered gopuram is found at the entrance. The presiding deity Shiva is enshrined in Swetharanyeswarar Temple as Swetharanyeswarar or Thiruvenkadu Nathar. His consort is Brahma Vidyambigai. He is in the form of Swayambu Murti in the sanctum facing the east direction.

Nardana Ganapathi, Nataraja, Bhikshadana, Lingodbhava, Brahma, Medha Dakshinamurti, Ganga Jadathara, Durga, and Ardhanareeswarar are the koshta idols around the sanctum walls. The temple has a single-tier vimana, and its shikara is circular.

Brahma Vidyambigai has a separate shrine facing east. Her shrine is in the north-west corner of the outer prakaram. There is a sanctum, Antarala and Ardha Mandapa. A four-armed image of Brahma Vidyambigai is enshrined in the sanctum. Her rear hands hold a lotus and Aksha Japa mala while her front hands show Abhaya and Varada mudras.

Budhan has a separate sanctum on the left side of the Brahma Vidyambigai shrine. It is opposite to Chandra Theertham. A shrine of Aghora Moorthy, a unique incarnation of Shiva, is on the north-western side of the main prakaram. The image of the Aghora Moorthy is seven feet tall and eight armed. His image depicts a beast's head and a bird's body.

It is said that Shiva took this form to kill Maruthuva Asura under the Vanni tree. Visitors can see this Vanni tree near the shrine. There is a Bilva tree without thorns here. The Utsava idol of Aghora Moorthy is in a separate shrine. Nataraja, Pillai Idukki Ambal, Vallabha Ganapathi, Ashta Lakshmi, Navagraha, Swetha Lingam, Meikanda Nayanar, Brahma, Sattanathar, Nalvar, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Sapta Matrikas and Nagas have separate shrines.

The Swetharanyeswarar Temple has three Theerthams: Soma, Surya, and Agni. Indra, Iravatham, Budhan, Surya, and Chandra are said to have worshipped Shiva here.

Festivals in the Swetharanyeswarar Temple

The most important festival of the Swetharanyeswarar Temple is the float festival. It is a twelve-day celebration, and the last day of the occasion is celebrated in the Chandra Theertham. The Swetharanyeswarar Temple celebrates the float festival yearly in Maasi (February – March).

Vaikasi Visakam (May - June), Aadi Mulaikattu (August - September), Navratri (September - October) and Aippasi Kolattam (October - November) are other prominent festivals celebrated in the Swetharanyeswarar Temple.

Shivratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Vijayadashami, and Karthigai Deepam are the other festivals celebrated in the temple. Every Wednesday, the temple receives a huge crowd of devotees who come here to perform Poojas and Abishekam to the planetary deity Budhan.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Swetharanyeswarar Temple

Budhan is the planetary ruler of music, astrology, medicine, maths, knowledge, sculpting, and language skills.
Wednesdays are very auspicious for Budha Bhagawan. People believe offering Pooja on that day can rectify Budha Dosha in the horoscope. They offer Moong Dal, a white Kanthal flower, and green-colored clothes to the planetary deity.

Devotees worship Budhan in the temple for marriage, progeny, academic excellence, and prosperity. They pray for relief from Pitru Dosha and nervous disorders. To get their prayers answered, they light 17 herbal oil lamps for Budhan and perform circumambulation around his shrine 17 times. Following this, they offer Annadaanam for 17 people.