The temple's history is deeply rooted in mythology. According to legend, an asura (demon) named Madhyaman caused immense suffering to the devas (celestial beings) after receiving a boon from Lord Brahma. The devas, under the protection of Lord Shiva, resided in the forest of Thiruven in Veturu. However, Madhyaman came to Thiruvenkadu and waged a battle.
Having performed penance toward Lord Shiva, the asura was granted a powerful mace, which he used to strike and injure Ritaba Deva. In response, Ritaba Deva appealed to Lord Shiva for help. Enraged by the asura's actions, Lord Shiva manifested his fierce form, Agora Murti, from one of his five faces, Esanya Mukha.
Upon witnessing this terrifying form, the asura surrendered to Lord Shiva. In the temple's mandapam (hall), the surrendered asura, Agora Murti, and the wounded Ritaba Deva can still be seen in idol form, depicted with Suvedharanyeswarar Swami. This shrine is one of the most famous and sacred places of worship in South India.
Sthala Puranam :
Thiruvenkadu, one of the six prominent Shiva temples along the banks of the Kaveri river—along with Tiruvaiyaru, Mayiladuthurai, Sayavanam, Thiruvidaimaruthur, and Srivanchiyam—is believed to be as sacred as Kasi. The temple is renowned for housing Lord Shiva in three forms: Swetaranyeswarar (Lingam), Aghora Murti, and Natarajar.
Aadi Chidambaram and the Dance of Shiva : The legend of Chidambaram centres on Adiseshan desiring to witness Shiva’s cosmic dance, after hearing that even Vishnu felt spiritually heavy and fulfilled after watching it. It is believed that Vishnu had previously witnessed Nataraja's Thandavam here at Thiruvenkadu, which is why this place is also known as Aadi Chidambaram. Like the temple at Chidambaram, Thiruvenkadu also has a gold-plated roof and a shrine for Vishnu near Nataraja’s shrine. Thiruvenkadu is also believed to be the site where Shiva performed nine different types of Tandavas (Ananda, Tripura, Sandhya, Samhara, Kali, Uma, Shiva, Krishna, and Gauri). During one such cosmic dance, three drops of sweat fell from Shiva’s forehead, and it is believed that these drops formed the three temple tanks: Agni, Surya, and Chandra Teerthams.
Murugan and Brahma : The temple is associated with the well-known legend of Murugan punishing Brahma for not knowing the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Once freed from his punishment, Brahma realised that he had lost his divine knowledge, or Brahma Gnanam, which made him incapable of performing his duties. After intense penance to Lord Shiva, he was granted this knowledge again by Shiva, while Parvati taught him the Brahma Kala (the art of creation). Here, Parvati is known as Brahma Vidyambikai.
Origin of the Name Thiruvenkadu : It is believed that this place was once a forest filled with white-flowered trees or plants, which is how it got its name—Ven-kadu means “white forest.” In Sanskrit, Sweta means white, and Aranya means forest, hence the name Swetaranyeswarar for Shiva.
Sambandar’s Devotion : When the child-saint Sambandar visited Thiruvenkadu, he perceived the entire place as Siva Lokam (Shiva’s abode) and saw countless Shiva Lingams everywhere. Overwhelmed and unsure of how to worship, Sambandar began to cry and called out to Parvati as “Ammaye” (Mother). Parvati then carried him into the temple. There is a depiction of this event within the temple, where Parvati is referred to as Pillai Idukki Amman (Amman carrying the child). The spot where Sambandar called out is known as Koopittaan Kulam, and the Vinayakar nearby is called Sambanda Vinayakar.
The Aghora Form of Shiva : The Aghora aspect of Shiva is particularly significant at this temple. According to legend, a demon named Maruthvasuran, the son of Jalandharan, obtained boons from Brahma through severe penance. Misusing his powers, he began troubling the Devas. Shiva sent Nandi to defeat him, and Nandi threw the demon into the sea. However, Maruthvasuran performed further penance and was granted boons again, this time by Shiva Himself. When he resumed his wicked ways, Shiva, in his Aghora Murti form, ultimately vanquished the demon at Thiruvenkadu. The Aghora Murti (Veerabhadrar), one of Shiva's 64 forms, is enshrined separately at the temple, and a special puja is conducted for him at midnight on Sundays, especially during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November-December).
Sacred History and Saints : Thiruvenkadu is the birthplace of Meykandar, the renowned Saiva Siddhanta philosopher and author of Siva Gnana Bodham. It is also the birthplace of Tiruvenkattu Nangaiyar, the wife of Siruthondar Nayanar, both of whom attained liberation at Thiruchengattankudi. This is one of the few Paadal Petra Sthalam temples where all three of the great Saivite saints—Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar—as well as Manikkavasagar, have sung in praise of the Lord. Pattinathar, the famous saint, is said to have received Deeksha (initiation) from Lord Shiva here.
Budhan Sannidhi and Navagraha Significance : Thiruvenkadu is one of the Kumbakonam Navagraha temples, dedicated to Budhan (Mercury). According to legend, Budhan worshipped Lord Shiva here and was relieved of a curse. The temple is a Navagraha Dosha Parihara Sthalam (a place to remedy planetary afflictions). Devotees pray to Budhan for success in education and career, with a shrine for Budhan located near the Chandra Theertham, easily accessible from the temple’s western entrance.
Pancha Aranya Kshetrams and Sacred Waters : The temple is part of one of the two sets of Pancha Aranya Kshetrams (five sacred forest temples). This set includes the temples of Thalachangadu, Sayavanam, Pallavaneswaram (Poompuhar), Tiruvenkadu, and Keezh Thirukattupalli. Additionally, the Manikarnika River, which flows nearby, is considered as holy as the Kaveri river. Bathing in this river is believed to be equivalent to taking 64 baths at Kasi.
Chola Contributions and Architecture : The original temple is a Chola temple, with later additions by the Vijayanagara Dynasty in the 16th century. Inscriptions within the temple mention contributions from medieval Chola kings such as Aditya Chola, Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, and Kulothunga Chola I, as well as references to the Pandyas and Vijayanagara rulers. The shrine of Vallabha Ganapati is unique as it resembles a traditional house or granary, with Vinayakar accompanied by his consort, Siddhi. Near the Chandra Teertham, a massive peepal tree stands, beneath which a footprint known as Rudra Padham is believed to be Lord Shiva’s footprint. Performing ancestral rites here is considered highly auspicious.
Literary Mentions : Thiruvenkadu is mentioned in Valmiki's Ramayana and the Sangam epic Silappathikaram, testifying to the temple’s ancient roots and spiritual significance.