Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu

Also known as: ஸ்வேதாரண்யேஸ்வரர் கோயில் (திருவெண்காடு) · శ్వేతారణ్యేశ్వర ఆలయం, తిరువెంకాడు · श्वेतारण्येश्वर मंदिर, तिरुवेंकाडु (बुध)

A Tevaram Shiva temple and the Mercury (Budhan) temple among the nine Navagraha temples. Also called Adi Chidambaram.

Deity: Swetharanyeswarar (Shiva), Brahmavidyambigai (Parvati), Budhan (Mercury)
Tradition: Navagraha
Place: Thiruvenkadu, Mayiladuthurai
State: Tamil Nadu
Sacred tank / theertham: Three tanks: Surya, Chandra and Agni theerthams.
Era: The first temple is believed to be Chola. The present structure was built by the Vijayanagar kings in the 16th century.

Sthala Puranam

The asura Maruthuvasuran got powers from Brahma and troubled sages and people. Shiva, as Agoramurthi, killed him under a tree here.

Indra, Airavata, Budhan, Surya and Chandra are said to have worshipped Shiva here.

A childless chieftain, Achyutha Kalappalar, prayed here and was given a son, Meykandadevar, who later wrote Sivagnana Bodham.

Budhan, son of Chandra and Tara, did penance to Shiva and became a Navagraha.

Shiva is said to have danced here before dancing at Chidambaram, so the place is called Adi Chidambaram.

One of the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu, for Mercury (Budhan).
A Paadal Petra Sthalam, praised in the Tevaram.
Local tradition treats it as equal to Kasi (Varanasi).
Has a seven-tiered gopuram, a Natarajar image and shrines of Aghora and of Durga and Kali.

By airTiruchirappalli Airport, about 150 km.

By trainSirkazhi or Mayiladuthurai Junction. Local trains stop at Sirkazhi.

By roadAbout 10–12 km from Sirkazhi. Buses run from Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai and Poompuhar.

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Location is approximate.

Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
Wednesday is the day of Mercury.
Combine with Vaitheeswaran Koil and Keezhperumpallam, which are close by.

Sources

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