17-September-25

Place of the Temple: Thiruvenkadu
Taluk: Sirkali
District: Nagapattinam
Distance from Chennai: 268 Kilometer
Contact Number of the Temple: 04364 – 256424
Food and Accommodation facilities are available around the
temple premise
Time of the Temple: 6 am – 12 pm, 4 pm – 8 pm.
God of the Temple: Swedarannyeswara swamy
Goddess: Devi Brahma Vidyambihai alias Peryanayahi
Holy Pond (Punnia Theertham): Akni Theertham, Sooria Theertham and Sandira Theertham are punnia theertham and all these three are also known as
Gayathri, Savithri, and Saraswathi Theertham respectively. Mummoorthihal Theertham, Moovilai Solai Theertham, Mukkula Theertham, Ahara Mudhalana Theetham are the other names of the holy water ponds inside the temple.
Monumental Tree (Sthala Virutcham): Alamaram (Banyan), Kondraimaram
(Cassia), and Vilvamaram (Bael). People who worshipped Lord Swedharannyeshwara Swamy and Lord Budan (Venus) appointed the Graha Budan (Planet Mercury) to resemble Lord Maha Vishnu in this temple. The White Elephant is the vehicle of Lord Indhira and it is also People who worshipped Lord Swedharannyeshwara Swamy and Lord Budan (Mercury).
Festivals: Every 5th day of Masi (Month of Tamil calendar) Month, there is a grand festival for Lord Ahora Moorthy. Tamil Spiritual poems in praise of the Lord I were sung by Appar, Sundharar and Thirugnana Sambandar.
History of the Temple:
This is an ancient temple. The presiding deity is Swetharanyeswarar and the goddess is Brahma Vidhayambigai. In this temple, Lord Shiva saved Devas from demons in the battle, between themselves by bringing out the Avadhar, The name of Deity is Ahora Bathra Swamy. Horam- ugly Ahoram – Beauty. Lord Ahora Bathra Swamy appears with fascinating facial features in the temple. In addition, Goddess Parvathi devi danced in this temple with the name Bathrakali as Lord Shiva’s opponent in dance. In order to see the dance of both Lord Shiva and goddess Parvathi devi, Lord Maha Vishnu came to the temple from Vaihundam (the heavenly abode of Lord Maha Vishnu). Lord Shiva was pleased to see the presence of Lord Maha Vishnu, appointed the Graha Budan, (Planet Venus) to resemble Lord Maha Vishnu in this temple to solve the Budan Graha Dhosham through the worship of the devotees.
A dip in all the three Theertham (holy ponds) inside the temple is considered a very special here. Performing Tharppana (Sangalppam) to the ancestors in this temple is considered as an equal to perform the same in the river bed of holy Ganges at Kasi, the divine place in the earth.
Why Seekers Visit Swetharanyeswarar Temple for Budan (Mercury) Dosha
Among the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvenkadu holds particular significance for anyone whose horoscope shows an afflicted or weak Mercury (Budan). In Vedic astrology, Mercury governs intelligence, communication, business acumen, and analytical ability — so an afflicted Mercury is often linked to difficulties in studies, poor decision-making, communication troubles, or setbacks in business and career.
Devotees who learn through horoscope analysis or a Nadi astrology reading that Budan Graha Dosha is present in their chart often travel specifically to this temple as part of their prescribed remedy. Worship here is believed to strengthen Mercury’s positive qualities — sharpening intellect, improving communication, and supporting sound judgment in both personal and professional matters.
The temple follows a traditional worship schedule, opening in the morning and again in the evening. A typical visit includes darshan of Swetharanyeswarar and the goddess Brahma Vidhyambigai, followed by a dip in the three sacred theerthams within the temple — Agni, Soorya, and Chandra Theertham — considered especially significant for both Budan Dosha remedies and blessings related to childbirth.
Many devotees also perform Tharpana (ancestral offerings) here, given the temple’s association with rituals equal in significance to those performed at the Ganges in Kasi. Couples seeking blessings for children often combine their visit with prayers specifically directed at the presiding deities, given the temple’s long-documented history of blessing couples facing difficulties conceiving.
For seekers coming from Vaitheeswaran Koil or visiting multiple Navagraha temples across the region, a visit to Thiruvenkadu is often paired with a Nadi Jothidam consultation. A Nadi reading can confirm whether Budan Graha Dosha is genuinely present in an individual’s horoscope and recommend the specific rituals and timing best suited to their chart, rather than relying on general remedies alone.
This combined approach — astrological confirmation through a Nadi reading followed by temple worship at the relevant Navagraha shrine — reflects a long-standing practice among Tamil families addressing planetary afflictions through both spiritual and practical means.
Benefits of the worship in the Temple: A dip in all the three ponds along with the worship of the God of the temple gives child birth to the couple whoever comes to this temple without child. It is believed that the God blesses the couple with children. Hence, history of the temple witnesses many couples with abundant blessings of God, Swedarannyeshwarar Swamy. Further, the Poems of Thirugnana Sambandhar States it clearly in Devaram, the Tamil poems. There is a strong faith that the worship of god and goddess of the temple blesses couple with child birth.
The divine word of Lord Shiva from the Maha Shiva Nadi also guides couple for their worship in the Budan Sthala at Thiruvenkadu to get blessed with children. People who are under Budan Graha Dhosha advised by the Maha Shiva Nadi to worship in this temple for their recovery/redemption from the Budan Dhosha, because Budhan is the symbol of intelligence, wisdom and peace.
Why is Swetharanyeswarar Temple associated with Mercury (Budan)?
The temple is one of the nine Navagraha shrines of Tamil Nadu, each dedicated to a specific planetary deity. Thiruvenkadu is designated as the shrine for Budan (Mercury), making it a primary destination for devotees seeking to address an afflicted Mercury in their horoscope.
What is Budan Graha Dosha and how does this temple help?
Budan Graha Dosha refers to an afflicted or weakened placement of Mercury in a person’s horoscope, traditionally linked to difficulties in communication, studies, or business decisions. Worship at this temple is believed to strengthen Mercury’s positive influence and reduce these effects.
Is this temple only for Budan Dosha, or does it help with other concerns too?
While primarily known as the Budan Navagraha shrine, the temple is also widely visited by couples seeking blessings for childbirth, given its long-documented history of blessing couples in this regard.
Should I confirm Budan Dosha before visiting the temple?
Many devotees consult a qualified astrologer or undergo a Nadi Jothidam reading beforehand to confirm the presence and severity of Budan Dosha in their chart, allowing for more targeted remedies rather than general worship alone.
Is this temple connected to Nadi astrology in Vaitheeswaran Koil?
While it is a separate Navagraha shrine, many seekers visiting Vaitheeswaran Koil for Nadi Jothidam readings extend their trip to include Thiruvenkadu and other nearby Navagraha temples as part of a broader spiritual and remedial journey.