From time immemorial, people have believed in the influence of the planets on human life and history. They felt that the Navagrahas need to be propitiated and so they are invariably installed in all Saivite temples. In some Shiva temples, Navagrahas are given much prominence and remedieal measures are carried out to them (parihara sthala). One such parihara sthala, where Mercury is propitiated with great fervour is Thiruvengadu in Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated between the rivers Kaveri and Manikarnika. It is about 9kms from Sirkazhi Railway station. It can be reached by road from Vaitheeswaran Koil and Semponnar Koil as well.

Thiruvenkadu is also known as Adi Chidambaram, Swetaranya (sacred white forest), Jnana-aranya ( forest of wisdom ), Patala Kailas etc. Long long ago, this place was surrounded by thick forests on all sides, which when looked from a distance looked white, and hence the name Thiru-ven-kadu, meaning “sacred white forest”. Thiruvenkadu is considered as sacred as Banaras. According to lore, Lord Mercury (Budha) prayed to Lord Swetarayeswara here and was blessed by the deity.

Significations of Mercury
Mercury signifies one’s level of intelligence, communication abilities, knowledge, eloquence, speech, astrology, skill in fine arts, mathematics, medicine, expertise in language, Vedas, mantras sculpting etc. Lord Mercury is to be propitiated to acquire the above. Blessings of Mercury are especially needed for salespeople, agents, orators, secretaries, writers, traders and linguists. Mercury is represented by the colour Green and gemstones Emerald, Tourmaline and Jade.

Temple premises and the Presiding deity
The temple is situated amidst a large area (approximately 2.5 lakhs sq.ft.), surrounded by five huge corridors. Presiding deity is Lord Swetaranyeswara, also known as Lord Thiruvenkaaatu-eswara. His consort is Goddess Brahmavidyanayaki. The shrines of both the Lord and the Devi have been constructed facing the East. The posture in which the Nandi at the entrance to the Devi’s shrine is installed is peculiar. Its ears face the shrine of Devi and the face is turned towards the shrine of Lord Shiva, implying thereby that the heavenly Bull is losing no time in transmitting messages from the Devi, and waits for further commands. This is a unique feature of the place.

There are three theerthas (holy ponds), three Murthys, three Sakthis and three sthala-vrikshas ( temple trees ) in this temple. Apart from the presiding deity, the Lord is consecrated in His other forms as Lord Aghoramurthi and Lord Nataraja; carrying various weapons. Special poojas are performed to Lord Aghoramurthi during Sunday nights. Devi in Her divine form of Bhadrakali has a separate shrine. She is portrayed with eight hands in a sitting posture. There are shrines for Ashtalakshmi also. The three theerthas of Agni, Surya and Chandra are said to have been created out of the three drops fell from the eyes of Lord Shiva, when He was dancing. Those who bathe in these theerthas and worship the deities are said to be blessed with progeny. The sthala-vrikshas are Bilva, Vadaval and Konrai. The Navagrahas have been placed in a single row, facing the Lord, which is very unusual in any temple.

Lord Budha
There is a separate shrine to Lord Budha, near the shrine of Goddess Brahmavidyanayaki. Chandra theertha and a small shrine to Lord Chandra are placed in front of the shrine of Lord Mercury. (Lord Moon is the father of Lord Buha). Performing holy abisheka and poojas to Lord Budha here, donating food, green clothes and Emerald to the needy, chanting stothras of Lord Budha and surrendering to him with sincere devotion will ensure prosperity, success in business, relief from nervous disorders, good concentration, academic excellence and memory power to students.

There are many small shrines dedicated to various deities like Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Vinayaka, Goddess Pillai-idukki Amman carrying a baby and others.

Legends (sthala purana)
An Asura called Marutwasura was troubling the sages and people around Thiruvenkadu. Lord Shiva sent Nandi, the Bull to fight against the demon, and the latter was defeated. But the demon, and the latter was defeated. But the demon returned with greater power, after performing severe penance to Lord Shiva, receiving His spear as boon. So, this time Nandi could not fight and received severe blows from the demon. Lord Shiva got angry and opened His third eye, discharging intense fire(jyoti) which consumed the demon. The sages prayed to the Lord that the jyoti emanated from His third eye be turned into a form and reside there in the temple at Thiruvenkadu. Then the jyoti turned into the form of Aghoramurti, a manifestation of Lord Shiva in His rage and wild posture. This idol at Thiruvenkadu is a very specimen of art in moulded stone. The idol of Nandi at the entrance bears nine scars on its body.

Swetaketu
Swetaketu was the son of sage Uddalaka and he was destined to die at the age of eight. In order to overcome death, he came to Thiruvenkadu, installed a Shiva linga and worshipped the Lord ardently. At the destined time of death, Lord Yama appeared before Swetaketu to take away his life. Annoyed at the disrespectful behaviour of Lord Yama towards his devotee, the Lord came out of the Linga and punished Yama. The place came to be known as “ Swetaranya”. The deity is called Swetaranyaswami, as He gave salvation to His devotee Swetaketu here. At the request of Swetaketu, the Lord performed seven of his cosmic dances ( Ananda, Sandhya, Samhara, Tripuranta, Urdhva, Bhujanga and Lalita ) in this temple. The Lord portrays five faces Easanam, Tatpurusham, Aghoram, Vamadevam and Sadyojatam here, a manifestation very rarely seen in Shiva temples.

Lord Indra, the heavenly elephant Airavat, Lord Brahma, Lord Agni, Lord Surya, Lord Kartikeya and many other celestial beings have worshipped Lord Swetaranyeswara here and got their desires fulfilled.

The temple is associated with ardent devotees (saints) of Lord Shiva like Meikandar, Pattinathaar, Gnansambhandhar and others. There is a separate shrine to Meikandar, who was born to an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva by His grace, to sing His glories.

Stone inscriptions speak of patronage to this temple by Chola dynasty as well as some kings of Vijayanagar empire.

Festivities
12-day celebrations and the float festival conducted in the Chandra theertha with grandeur during the solar month of Aquarius (February-March) draw thousands of devotees here. During Mahashivaratri and Prodosha days also, devotees throng the temple to get the grace of Lord Swetaranyeswara.

Parihara sthala for Lord Budha
Those afflicted by Mercury in their horoscopes and also those running the major or sub periods of Mercury visit this temple from all over India to perform remedial measures. Propitiate Lord Mercury to acquire business acumen and academic excellence.

Contact address:
Sri Swetaranyaswami temple (Budhan Sthala)
Thiruvengadu, Sirkazhi District 609 114.