Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Thiruverkaadu Sri Karumaari Amman

Thiruverkaadu is situated about 20 kms from Chennai city. It lies on the road branching out off Mount Poondhamalli Road near Kumananchaavadi.

Apart from an ancient temple for Lord Shiva called as Sri Vedhapureeswarar temple, Thiruverkaadu also has a temple for Sri Karumaari Amman, which is more popular in Chennai.

According to the legend, once Sri Karumaari Amman took form of a fortune teller and went to Sun God for predicting his future. Sri Surya Bhagawan neglected Her and Sri Ambaal vanished from his sight, because of which Sun God lost his powers and glory. Then Surya Bhagawan realized that it was none other than the Goddess Herself and came and worshipped her here at Thiruverkaadu, seeking apologies. Goddess pardoned him with mercy and Sri Surya Bhagawan requested her to bless that Sunday (Sun God’s day) be the auspicious day for the Devi here. Goddess obliged to it. Also the Sun God spread His rays on the Goddess here during the Thamizh months Panguni and Purattaasi to show His devotion to the Goddess.

In ancient days, this place was a forest filled with VeLvela trees (வெள்வேல மரம்) and hence was called as Velankaadu (வேலங்காடு), which later turned to get its present name. It is also said that Lord Muruga, before His battle with the demon king Surapadhman, got His weapon ‘Vel’ (வேல்) from Sri Karumaari Amman here and so the place was called as Velankaadu.

It is said that Sri Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha) worshipped the Goddess here by performing Abhishegam using Valampuri Sanghu (Conch). The Goddess got pleased with His worship and blessed Him that the poojas at the temple will first be performed to Sri Vinayagar and then to Her. Sri Vinayagar can be seen present in the temple just as we enter the temple near the Dhwajasthambham. While entering the temple, one has to pray Him and then go further to worship Sri Karumaari Amman.

Once, when the Asuras gave troubles to Devas, they came and worshipped Lord Shiva at Thiruverkaadu, to save them. Lord Shiva called His Devi Sri Verkanni and directed Her to look after His duties till He is back from Devaloka. Lord Shiva gave her the holy ashes from His body and blessed Her. The Goddess asked Sage Agasthiyar to look for a holy place where she can perform the heavenly duties assigned by Lord Shiva. When Sage Agasthiyar was thinking of such place, he heard an Asareeri (அசரீரி – a holy voice) saying that the place where he was standing itself is a holy place. Goddess took abode here as Sri Karumaari Amman and also blessed the place that one will be removed of all the sins by worshipping Her at Thiruverkaadu.

Thiruverkaadu is the place where all 3 Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva have worshipped the Goddess. Hence She is called as Sri Karumaari here. Ka means Brahma, Ru means Rudhra or Shiva, and Ma means Vishnu.

The temple here is facing east. There is a beautiful Rajagopuram to enter the temple. Once we enter Sri Vinayagar is seen on an elevated shrine under a tree.

After crossing Sri Vinayagar, the sanctum of Goddess Sri Karumaari Amman is seen. The Goddess is facing east. It is said that originally the Goddess evolved from an ant hill. Amman is so beautiful with a smiling face and decorated well with lots of flowers.

Sri Subramanyar is found at the praakaaram around the sanctum. Navagrahas are found at the north eastern side of the temple. Sri Brahma is found on one of the walls facing north.

There is another small shrine adjacent to this temple, where a huge ant hill is found under a Peepul tree. Devotees offer milk and eggs for the snakes in this ant hill. Camphors are also lit here to offer worship. The entire ant hill is yellow in color as devotees have applied turmeric powder on it.

The temple pond is found in front of the temple which is so beautiful with a small Mandapam in the middle.

A tall and beautiful temple Chariot is parked in a separate Mandapam adjacent to the temple.

Thiruverkaadu attracts thousands of devotees and tourists everyday from various parts of the country. Sri Ambaal here is believed to be so powerful granting the wishes of the devotees worshipping her.

22 comments:

  1. this is one of my favourite temples. many thanks

    regs
    Vaishnavi

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  2. Dear Saravanan: I pray to God to give you strength and mental peace to you and to your Family. Excellent work done. I am really impressed by your Good work. Your presentation and the photographs are really superb.God bless you,

    P.R.Narayanaswami
    Matunga-Mumbai

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  3. Dear Saravanan,

    I have gone through your article of Dhivya Darshnam of Thiruverkadu Karumariamman Temple. Your article and photo graphs shown were excellant. Please keep continuing your work on Divinity. May God bless you.

    With kind regards,
    N G SUBRAMANIAN
    GUNTUR (A.P)

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  4. dear sravana,
    i always enjoyed watching this mail as we come to know more about the god and goddesss with the history of that holy place.

    it is a wonderful job and i appreciate you for this mind blowing article

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  5. By seeing your site, we almost got the blessings of Goddess Karumariamman.
    We pray god for a time to come,
    when we can visit the temple.

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  6. dear Saravanan,
    Iam regularly watching your coverage on our hindu temple with related importance attached with the temple.I whole heartedly appreciate your service to the society. God Bless you to serve more for society.
    S.Venkataraman
    Chennai 600 073

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  7. Very good service to the humanity on the whole! May God bless you, with all the happiness on the earth.
    Dr.T.P.VISWNATHAN,B.Com.,B.L.,R.I.M.P.,R.H.M.P., Reiki Grand Master,3/1084.B.Veppamarathukkottai, Near Mari Aman Koil, Dharmapuri-636701. Phone:94432-26082. viswanathantp@gmail.com & tpv@modernreiki.com.
    www.modernreiki.com & www.modernreiki.net

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  8. GOD BLESS YOU

    SEND MORE AND LETS GET THE DEVINE BLESSINGS THRU A GRACEFUL HUMAN BEING LIKE YOU

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  9. hello sir,

    your information and the way of presentation is very nice.

    Thank you for your service.

    With Regards
    Akshara

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  10. Thank you. I felt that I had visited the temple again :-)

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  11. No words in English further, to appreciate your effort Mr Saravanan.

    Ka Rama

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  12. really a wonderful work.......needs real appreciation....also visit eraithirai.blogspot.com

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  13. Thank you for
    no words to said your information and the picture is very nice

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  14. I'm seeking your help on searching for a goddest named Poovadaikaari. As i know she is a kid with a round face holding trident. i also informed that her pictures can be found in Salem, India... I need her picture and pls send the pictures to my e-mail. agilan_12@ovi.com . Thanks for the help. SARVAM SAKTHI MAYAM.

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  15. Thank you Mr Saravanan for this service. God bless you.
    Rathinam

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  16. you idiots - how to reach there and what are the temple timings

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  17. You are always Great Boss,Your name only enough for u can win all service.Gud.By Saromogu.

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  18. This post was fantastic! You made some great points.

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  19. Temple timings please..Or Did I miss it?

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  20. The temple here is facing east. There is a beautiful Rajagopuram to enter the temple. Once we enter Sri Vinayagar is seen on an elevated shrine under a tree. I visited last month for that i Book Bus Tickets through online.

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  21. Dear all,

    Kindly watch video of this temple in my youtube channel "snanacha"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d-UdH21vsk

    ReplyDelete