Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy are behind the Linga in their wedding form, a special feature in the temple. This is the birthplace of Saint Moorka Nayanar, one of the 63 celebrated Saivite Saints.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
When all sages reached the border of Himalayas to witness the Wedding of Mother Parvathi with Shiva, due to their total weight, the ground went below causing the rising of the south. Lord Shiva asked Sage Agasthya to go to the south to balance the ground level. For the sake of the safety of all, Sage Agasthya had to sacrifice the great opportunity of joining the divine celebrations. Lord Shiva assured the sage that he would grant the wedding darshan to him on his way to the south.
When Sage Agasthya reached Tiruverkadu, Lord granted darshan with Mother Parvathi. Due to the curse of Sage Brugu, Lord Vishnu was born as Parasurama to Sage Jamadagni and Renuka Devi. When he came here to worship Lord Shiva here, his mother Ranukadevi also accompanied the son. That Renuka temple is now the famous Karu Mariamman temple in Tiruverkadu. Lord Shiva wanted to create the world after it was destroyed by the great floods-pralaya-tsunami. He ordered the four Vedas-Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana to become Velvela trees. These trees are the sacred trees of the temple. Hence the place is named Verkadu-jungle of vela trees with the auspicious prefix Tiru ? Tiruverkadu.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By RoadTiruverkadu is 10 km far from Chennai Koyambedu on the Poonamalle high road. By RailThe Nearest Railway Station is ChennaiBy AirThe Nearest Airport is Chennai
Shrine Timings
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
The entire 10 days long Brammotsavam with street processions and Kailash Darshan festival for Ravaneswaran on the last day, Laksha deepam (One lakh deepas) Festivals for Gnanasambandar and Sundarar, Monthly Deepa Puja for the Goddess, Abishek to the palm tree each Tamil Month, Deepavali, Tamil and English New Years day and Pongal are the days of festivity in the temple.
