Budhan Temple - Thiruvenkadu - The Fourth Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu

Budhan Sthalam[Temple]-Thiruvenkadu

Description:

Thiruvenkadu, one of the navagraha sthalams, is the Budhan sthalam dedicated to Planet Mercury. Thiruvenkadu’s Sanskrit name is Shwetaranya and both literally mean – sacred white forest. This is also called Adhi Chidambaram and the Chidambara Rahasyam is also here. As seen in Chidambaram, Vishnu is near Nataraja. Special worship services are offered to Natarajar and the associated Spatikalingam, as in Chidambaram.

The Lord is Shwetaranyeswarar and His consort is Brahma Vidyambal. Indran, Airvatam, Budhan, Suryan and Chandran are said to have worshipped Shiva here. Thiruvenkadu is one of the six places considered to be equivalent to Kasi. The other five are Rameswaram, Srivanchiyam, Gaya, Thiriveni Sangamam and Thilatharpanapuri. This is one among the 51 shakthi peedams. This place is also called aathi chidambaram.For good education one has to worship Bramma Vidyambigai Amman.

It is situated 15 kilometers away from Vaitheeswaran Koil, on the Sirkali – Poompuhar road. Here the Lord is Shwetaranyeswarar and His consort is Brahma Vidyambal.  Indran, Airavatam, Budhan, Suryan and Chandran are said to have worshipped Shiva here. Thiruvenkadu is one of the six places considered to be equivalent to Kasi.  The other five are  Rameswaram, Srivanchiyam, Gaya, Thiriveni Sangamam and Thilatharpanapuri. This is one among  the 51 shakthi peedams. This place is also called aathi chidambaram.For good education one has to worship Bramma Vidyambigai Amman.  

The Soma Theertham and The Surya Theertham created by the Sun and the Moon are of great significance here. It is believed that the Soma Kundam and Surya Kundam referred to in Silappathihaaram refer to these tanks. Vilvam and Konrai are the other Sthala vrikshams here.

Location: Tiruvenkadu near Mayiladuturai, Poompuhaa

[Chola Naadu -North of Kaveri]
Shiva: Venkadar, Swetaranyeswarar
Ambal: Pann Moitta Inmozhiyaal, Bhrama Vidya Nayaki 
Vriksham: Aalamaram 
Theertham: Surya Theertham 
Patikam : Sambandar
Travel Base: Chidambaram

Budhan Moola Mantram: Aum bram brim braum sah budhaya namah

Budhan Gayathri: aathreyaya vidhmahe indu putraya dhimahe thanno budha prachodhayath

Temple Timings:

The temple is opened from 6 AM to 12.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM

How to reach Swetharanyeswarar Temple at Thiruvenkadu:
Swetharanyeswarar Temple is situated 23 kilometers away from Mayiladuthurai, on the Sirkali – Poompuhar linking road. The temple is 10 km from Sirkazhi and 59 km from Kumbakonam.

Budhan Sthalam-Thiruvenkadu

Legends:

 Indra, Airavatam, Budhan, Surya and Chandra are said to have worshipped here.A sage by name Swetaketu is said to have been saved from the clutches of death by the grace of Shiva here , in a legend similar to that of Markandeya at Tirukkadavur. Meikkandaar the author of Sivagnanabodham is said to have been born by the grace of Swetaranyeswarar & there is a shrine to him on the banks of the Agni Theertham. It is also believed that Shiva took the fierce Aghoramurthy form, to vanquish the demon Maruttuvan, to whom he had given his Shoolam - which he had misused.

About the Temple: 

There are several shrines of significance in this well visited temple , including those to Durga and Kali.  The image of Natarajar here is of great beauty.Worship to Aghoramurthy - Shiva's fiery form (Veerabhadrar) is said to be of significance on Sunday nights. The Aalamaram here is referred to as Akshayavadam [infinite one, indestructible banyan tree].  Special worship services are offered to Natarajar and the associated Spatikalingam, as in Chidambaram.

The Soma Theertham and The Surya Theertham created by the Sun and the moon are of great significance here. It is believed that the Somakundam and Suryakundam referred to in Silappatikaaram refer to these tanks. Vilvam and Konrai are the other stala vrikshams here.

About Thiruvenkadu Temple

Inscriptions from the time of  Aditya Chola I [870-907], Raja Raja I [10th - 11th century] and his descendants speaking of endowments made by the Chola rulers to this temple  are found here. Vikrama Cholan built the Vikramacholan Tirumandapam [1118-1135]. The  present structure of the temple as well as the beautiful bronze images in this temple are a contribution of the Great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I. Some of these bronzes were recovered in treasure troves unearthed here.  The Ardhanareeswarar and Chandeswarar bronzes are now housed in the Chennai Museum. Natarajar, Somaskandar, Devi, Bhoga Sakthi are housed in the temple, while images of Subramanyar, Rishabhavahanadevar, Bhikshatanar, Kalyanasundarar Kannappar and others are housed in the Thanjavur Art Gallery.

Pooja The native of a horoscope may suffer from lack of progeny, nervous problems and may not do well in academics and other arts, if Budhan is unfavourably placed. Worshiping Budhan on Wednesdays here will alleviate the problems occurring out of Budhan dosham. Malefic effect of Budhan can cause problems related to respiration like asthma and bronchitis, speech impediments and nervous disorders. Budhan is considered as the wisest of all the planets. Budhan is associated with intellect and knowledge; hence those who are not doing well in studies should worship Budhan here. Budhan blesses one with good education, knowledge, eloquence, music, astrology, mathematics, sculpture, medicine, scholarship in languages. Offer Green cloth and Full Green Moong Daal [pachchai paruppu] to Budhan here. Recite the following mantras facing North East, which is the direction of Budhan. Budhan Moola Mantram: Aum bram brim braum sah budhaya namah Budhan Gayathri: aathreyaya vidhmahe indu putraya dhimahe thanno budha prachodhayath Temple Timings: 6 AM to 1.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM. Temple Address Arulmighu Swetharanyeswarar Temple Tiruvenkadu Tiruvenkadu Post Sirkazhi Taluk Nagapattinam District PIN 609114 Temple Phone Number: 04364 256 424