Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu (Budha Navagraha Temple)

Wikipedia and The Hindu both describe the temple as having three principal forms of Shiva, Swetharanyeswarar, Aghora Murthy and Nataraja, and three sacred tanks named after Surya, Chandra and Agni. Dinamalar extends this pattern of threes to the goddess (Brahmavidyambigai, Durga and Kali) and to the sacred trees (banyan, konrai and vilva). The temple is also called Adi Chidambaram: tradition holds that Shiva danced here before dancing at Chidambaram, and, as at Chidambaram, there is a shrine for Vishnu near the Nataraja shrine.

According to the temple legend recorded by Wikipedia and Dinamalar, the demon Maruthuvasura, empowered by a boon, troubled the devas and sages; Shiva took the form of Aghora Murthy, said in Dinamalar to have emerged from his Ishana face, and subdued him. Special worship of Aghora Murthy is held on Sunday nights. Budha is believed to have worshipped Swetharanyeswarar here to be accepted among the Navagrahas, and devotees pray to him for learning and eloquence. Dinamalar also lists the temple among the Shakti Peethas and among six shrines regarded as equal to Kashi; Wikipedia records the same six-shrine tradition.

The temple has close links with Shaiva saints. Tirugnanasambandar, Appar and Sundarar sang its Tevaram hymns, and Manikkavasagar also praised it; Dinamalar counts it as the 11th Tevaram shrine on the northern bank of the Kaveri. Tradition holds that the saint Pattinathar received initiation here, and that Meykandar, author of the Shaiva Siddhanta text Sivagnana Bodham, was born after his parents prayed at Thiruvenkadu. An image of the goddess carrying the child Sambandar on her hip, called Pillai Idukki Amman, is in the goddess's shrine.

The temple is open in the morning and evening with a midday break, and some worship (such as the Aghora puja on Sunday nights) is held outside the usual hours. Dinamalar notes that thousands attend the Masi festival and that monthly pradosham days draw large crowds. Confirm current timings, dress expectations and puja arrangements with the temple office or the HR&CE Department before travelling.

Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Listed by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department (TM018027, Joint Commissioner, Mayiladuthurai) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.