Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu
Shiva (as Vedapureeswarar) temple · Thiruverkadu, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India
The Vedapureeswarar Temple at Thiruverkadu, a municipality on the western edge of Chennai in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, is an ancient Shiva temple. Shiva is worshipped as Vedapureeswarar (also Verkattunathar) in the form of a lingam, and his consort is worshipped as Balambigai, also called Verkanniyammai.
The temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the Shiva temples praised in the Tevaram hymns: Thirugnana Sambandar sang a hymn on the Lord of Verkadu. Dinamalar counts it as the 23rd Tevaram temple of the Thondai Nadu region. The temple is administered by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The town's other famous shrine, the Devi Karumariamman Temple, is a separate institution.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu
The central legend of the temple concerns the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. According to tradition, when gods and sages crowded the Himalayas for the wedding, the earth tilted, and Shiva sent sage Agastya south to restore the balance. Agastya, disappointed at missing the wedding, was granted a vision of the divine couple in their wedding form at Thiruverkadu. In keeping with this story, the sanctum shows Shiva and Parvati in wedding posture behind the lingam, a feature that Wikipedia notes is shared by several Thondai Nadu Shiva temples.
The name Thiruverkadu means 'sacred forest of vel (vela) trees'. Dinamalar records the belief that after a great flood Shiva directed the four Vedas to take the form of vela trees here, which explains both the place name and the name Vedapureeswarar; the vela tree is the temple's sacred tree. Thevaaram.org adds that Murugan is said to have worshipped Shiva here after his victory over Soorapadman, and Wikipedia records the tradition that Murugan obtained his weapon here.
Thiruverkadu is also remembered as the birthplace of Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars (Shaiva saints). Dinamalar retells his story: he fed devotees of Shiva before eating himself and paid for it with his winnings at dice, earning the name Moorkar ('the fierce one'). A shrine to him stands in the outer corridor and his day is observed in the month of Karthigai. Beyond the Tevaram, Wikipedia notes mentions of Verkadu in Arunagirinathar's Thiruppugazh, and Dinamalar records that Arunagirinathar sang of the Murugan shrine here.
Heritage
History of Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu
The temple's antiquity is attested by Sambandar's 7th-century Tevaram hymn on the shrine. Dinamalar records the tradition among devotees that a Chola king built the temple, and estimates its age at 1,000 to 2,000 years; no inscription-based founding date was found in the sources consulted, so these should be read as traditional estimates.
Several other legends are attached to the site. Dinamalar records that many sages, the Pandavas, the Chola king Sibi, the nine planets and the guardians of the eight directions are believed to have worshipped here, and that the serpent Adisesha worshipped Shiva and vowed not to harm anyone within the temple's bounds. Today the temple is maintained by the HR&CE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Architecture and sacred features
Dinamalar describes a complex of about 1.5 acres with an east-facing rajagopuram, three prakarams (corridors) and a vimana over the sanctum in the gajaprishta (elephant-back) style. Sources differ on the gopuram: Dinamalar gives five tiers, Wikipedia seven. Wikipedia notes that the temple tank lies outside the main entrance, that images of Ganesha and Murugan flank the entrance, and that Balambigai's shrine stands to the right of the main sanctum.
Around the sanctum, the first corridor carries images of the Nayanmars, with Murugan in the north-west and Durga in the north-east. According to Wikipedia, the Navagraha (nine planets) are set on a lotus pedestal, and there are separate shrines for Arunagirinathar and Moorka Nayanar.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Visitors to Thiruverkadu often combine this temple with the Devi Karumariamman Temple in the same town, and both can be crowded on festival days and weekends. Dress modestly, follow temple staff instructions and respect any restrictions on photography inside the shrines. Confirm current timings and festival arrangements with the temple's HR&CE office before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu
Brahmotsavam
Wikipedia describes the Brahmotsavam, celebrated around the Magam star day, as the temple's most prominent festival.
Maha Shivaratri
The night of Shiva, listed by Dinamalar among the temple's festivals.
Panguni Uthiram
Listed by Dinamalar among the temple's annual festivals.
Margazhi Thiruvathirai
Listed by Dinamalar among the temple's annual festivals.
Moorka Nayanar guru puja
Held on the Krittika star day in honour of the Nayanar who was born in Thiruverkadu.
Location
How to Reach Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu
Thiruverkadu is a suburb on the western side of Chennai. Dinamalar places the temple about 10 km from Koyambedu, off Poonamallee High Road, and thevaaram.org notes that many city buses run from Chennai. Wikipedia gives the distance from central Chennai as about 27 km.
Wikipedia names Avadi as the nearest railway station, and the nearest airport is Chennai International Airport.
Location: Thiruverkadu, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport
Nearest railway station: Avadi (per Wikipedia)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (as Vedapureeswarar) temples · Temples in Thiruverkadu · Temples in Poonamallee Taluk · Temples in Tiruvallur District
Questions
Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu?
Shiva, as Vedapureeswarar (also Verkattunathar), in the form of a lingam. His consort is Balambigai, also called Verkanniyammai.
Is Thiruverkadu Vedapureeswarar a Paadal Petra Sthalam?
Yes. Thirugnana Sambandar sang a Tevaram hymn on the temple, and Dinamalar counts it as the 23rd Tevaram temple of the Thondai Nadu region.
What is the legend of Agastya at Thiruverkadu?
Tradition says Shiva sent Agastya south to balance the earth during his wedding to Parvati, and then showed him the wedding form here. The sanctum shows Shiva and Parvati in wedding posture behind the lingam.
What does the name Thiruverkadu mean?
It means 'sacred forest of vel (vela) trees'. According to belief, the Vedas took the form of vela trees here, which is why Shiva is called Vedapureeswarar.
Which Nayanar is linked to Thiruverkadu?
Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, was born here. He has a shrine in the outer corridor, and his guru puja falls in the month of Karthigai.
Is the Vedapureeswarar temple the same as the Karumariamman temple?
No. Both are in Thiruverkadu, but the HR&CE Department lists them as separate temples.
How do I reach the Vedapureeswarar Temple?
Thiruverkadu is in western Chennai, about 10 km from Koyambedu according to Dinamalar, with city buses from Chennai. Avadi is the nearest railway station named by Wikipedia.
Sources and attribution
- Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department, archived 2020 — Thirukoil – Temple List for Tamil Nadu (TM001647, TM001646)
- Dinamalar — Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Tiruverkadu – temple details
- Thevaaram.org (Panniru Thirumurai) — Verkadu (Thiruverkadu) – temple history
- Wikipedia — Vedapureeswarar temple, Thiruverkadu
- OpenStreetMap — Sri Vedhapureeswarar Temple (way 355055046)
Further reading: Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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