This Shiva temple is located at Thiruvedikudi near Thiruvaiyaru. This is one of the 276 shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. This temple was revered by Appar and Sambandhar. This is fourth of Sapta Sthanams.
Mulavar: Vedapureeshwarar, Vazhai-madu-nadar, in Tamil - vazhai means banana plant. Madu is tank,
Devi: Mangaiyar-arasi
Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva
Sacred teertha: Ved teertha
Present and Puranik name: Thiruvedikudi
District: Tanjavur, Tamilnadu
The shiva ling in this temple is a swayambhu linga. Lord Shiva manifested from the roots of a banana tank (madu) and hence he is known as Vazhai-madu-nadar. This temple was built by chola kings about 1500 years ago. The temple is east facing and rajagopuram is 3 tier. There are 2 parikramas. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (agazhi in Tamil). The sanctum sanctorum gopuram is completely made of granite stone and the lord is seated below it. On the four sides of the vimanam, we have four Nandis representing the four vedas. There is an idol of Manonmani Ambika who is idol is found with Lord Shiva on the northern side. The idol of ardhanarishwarar is on the wall behind sanctum sanctorium and has a special feature.
The unique feature of the temple is that there are 276 shiva linga representing 276 padal pethra sthalam. By visiting this place one gets the benefit of visiting all 276 shiva temples.
The unique feature of ardhanarishwarar is that Lord Shiva generally has Parvati on the left. But in this place he is on the right of Lord Shiva. This is to indicate the greatness of women in particular Goddess Parvati. That is why she is known as Mangaiyar-arasi (queen of women). As Lord Brahma and four vedas worshiped Lord Shiva at this place, this place is known as Thiruvedikudi and Lord is known as Vedapureeshwarar. Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Dakshinamurti.
Idols and shrines:
In the prakaram we have the idols of Shevi (ear), Saytha (bent), Vinayaka (ShreviSaythaVinayak). Lord Vinayaka’s head is lighly bent as if he is hearing the four vedas. So he is known as Vedavinayaka. And he is in a separate shrine. In the corridor we have 108 Shiva Lingas, Lord Subramanya, Lord Dakshinamurti, Ardhanarishwarar, Durga, Mahalakshmi, Nataraja and Sapta Sthana Lingams. In a stone inscription Lord Shiva is addressed as Thiruvedikudimahadevar and Parakeshari-chaturved-mangalam-mahadevar. The renovation work of this temple was done by the Pallava kings. As there were lot of number of brahmins who had learnt all four vedas, the place was also known as chaturved-mangalam. The shiva linga was on the bank of a tank containing a special kind of fish known as Vazhai. Hence lord was also called Vazhai-madu-nadar. As devi is depicted as the queen of all women (mangala ambika) and as she bestows boons and sushasini status to those who worship her, she is addressed as Mangalambika. There is an idol of Lakshmi Narayana; the idol of Lord Anjaneya is found worshiping him and he has a crown.
Kshetra Puran:
The pranav mantra Om is considered as the peak of all vedas. Hence it is believed that vedas follow pranav mantra everywhere. As the pranav mantra worshiped Lord Shiva at this place, the vedas also followed him. It is believed that Lord Shiva gathered (collected) the priest (vedhiyars) for Nandi’s marriage from this place. The Sun’s rays fall on the Shiva Linga on the 13th, 14th and 15th day of Tamil month Panguni (March-April). Hence it is believed that Sun worships Lord Shiva on these days.
A demon had stolen vedas from Lord Brahma and hid them in the deep sea. Lord Vishnu recovered the vedas by killing the asura. As the vedas were handled by the asuras, they became tainted (they acquired dosha). In order to make them purify the vedas worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. So Lord Shiva is known as Vedapureeshwarar.
A Chola king who was worried by the delay in the marriage of his daughter came to this place and worshiped Mangaiyar-arasi seeking a boon for his daughter’s wedding. As his boon got fulfilled in a very short time as a token of gratitude to the devi, he changed the name of his daughter to Mangaiyar-arasi.
Those who worshiped here: Lord Surya, Lord Indra, Lord Brahma, four vedas, Sage Vyasa and shaiva saint Appar and Sundarar.
Festivals:
- Chitrai (April-May), Sapta Sthanams festival and Brahmotsav,
- Avani (August-Sept) Ganesh chaturthi,
- Purattasi (Sept-Oct) Navaratri,
- Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival,
- Kathigai (Nov-Dec), Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam,
- Thai (Jan-Feb) Makar Sankranti,
- Masi (Feb-Mar) Shivaratri.
- Besides this the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosha pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan
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