Vedhapureesar Temple, Tiruvedhikudi
Location
Tiru-Vedhi-Kudi
Deity
Vedhapureesar, Aaravamudhu Nathar
Female Deity
Mangayarkarasi
Pathikam
Tirunavukkarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1
Gallery – Vedapureeswarar Temple, TiruVedhikudi
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is situated at Tiruvedhikudi, approximately 7 km from Tiruvaiyaru. The temple can be easily reached by regular bus services operating from Tiruvaiyaru
Temple Address
Thiruvedhikudi
Kandiyur Post
Tiruvaiyaru Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN – 613202
Temple Hours
Morning : 9:30 - 12:30
Evening : 5:30 - 7:30
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Temple Glory
The Layout
The temple is adorned with a majestic three-tiered rajagopuram, with the balipeetam and Nandi mandapam situated directly in front of it. Passing through the entrance leads devotees into the spacious mahamandapam, which houses the Nataraja Sabha. Along the circumambulatory path, one can worship the unique Sevi Saitha Vinayaka (“the Vinayaka who lent his ears”) and behold the rare sight of 108 Shiva Lingas enshrined within the temple. In the outer prakaram, the sannidhi of Goddess Mangayarkarasi stands to the right, preceded by a beautiful Vasantha Mandapam. The temple’s goshta deities include Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar, Brahma, Durga, Vinayaka, Muruga, and Mahalakshmi, while all the Saptha Sthana Lingas are also enshrined within the temple complex. A remarkable phenomenon occurs annually on the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of the Tamil month of Panguni, when the rays of the rising sun fall directly upon the main Shiva Linga, commemorating Surya’s worship of the deity. According to sacred tradition, Surya, Brahma, and Kubera worshipped the presiding deity here and received divine blessings. Revered as a Tirumana Prarthana Sthalam, this temple is especially sought out by devotees praying for the removal of marriage obstacles and the blessing of a harmonious marital life.
Sanctum & Deities
Worshipping Dakshinamurthy, who was himself revered by Brahma, is believed to bestow wisdom and excellence in education, making this temple particularly significant for students and seekers of knowledge. The temple is also unique in its association with the four Vedas, which are said to have worshipped the deiy here. This sacred connection is symbolized by Veda Pillaiyar, a distinctive form of Vinayaka depicted in a listening posture, attentively hearing the recitation of the Vedas. Another remarkable feature of the temple is its rare representation of Ardhanareeswarar. Unlike the conventional form, where Shiva occupies the right half and the Goddess the left, the deity here appears in a reversed configuration, with the Goddess on the right side and Shiva on the left. This unusual iconography makes the shrine a noteworthy and distinctive place of worship.
Theertham & Sthala Vruksham
Vedha Theertham is the water source linked to this temple, located just outside its premises. The temple's sacred tree, known as 'Sthala Vruksham,' is the Vilva, while the deity is also honored as 'Vazhai Madu' Nathar.
Temple Puranic History
Origin Story
Tiruvedikudi, the fourth of the celebrated Saptha Sthana temples of Tiruvaiyaru, holds a unique place as the sacred site where the four Vedas performed penance to rid themselves of a spiritual blemish. According to legend, a demon once stole the sacred Vedas from Brahma and concealed them beneath the ocean. Although Mahavishnu later recovered them, the Vedas were believed to have incurred a dosha as a result of their association with the demon. Seeking purification, the Vedas came to this place and undertook intense penance to Shiva. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva absolved them of their impurity and restored their sanctity. In commemoration of this divine event, the presiding deity came to be known as Vedhapureeswarar (the Lord who purified the Vedas), while the village itself became known as Vedikudi or Tiruvedikudi, meaning “the abode of the Vedas.” Tradition also holds that Brahma worshipped Vedhapureeswarar here, praying for the complete restoration and sanctification of the sacred scriptures.
Marriage Blessings
This temple is widely revered as a Tirumana Prarthana Sthalam, a temple where devotees pray for the removal of obstacles to marriage and the blessing of a suitable life partner. It is believed that those facing delays or difficulties in finding a spouse can receive divine grace by worshipping Vedhapureeswarar and Goddess Mangayarkarasi at this temple. The temple's significance in this regard is further highlighted in the pathigam of Tirugyanasambandar, found in the Third Tirumurai, which extols the spiritual power of this sacred site in resolving marriage-related challenges. Devotees traditionally recite this hymn with faith during the morning and evening hours, believing that its regular recitation helps remove obstacles, brings favorable alliances, and ultimately leads to a happy and harmonious marriage.
Gallery – Vedapureeswarar Temple, TiruVedhikudi
