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.

Thiru Aayarpaadi Sri Kari Krishna Perumal

Thiru Aayarpaadi is a small village located 3 kms from Ponneri, near Chennai. This village has a beautiful temple for Lord Krishna called Sri Kari Krishna Perumal, on the banks of the Aarani River. The Lord here is Swayambhu Murthy (self evolved).

In Thamizh ‘Aayarpaadi’ means shepherd village, the place where Lord Krishna grew up. This village also has the same name, as the Lord here gives dharshan as a Shepherd.

The main deity Sri Kari Krishna Perumal is seen here in human form. Generally in Vishnu temples one can see the Lord with 4 hands holding Sangu (Conch) and Chakra (Wheel). But here the Lord is seen as a Yadhava (shepherd), with His right hand holding a shepherd’s whip and left hand rested on the hip. The Lord has Amrutha Kalasam (bowl containing celestial nectar) on His head.

Sri Kari Krishna Perumal and the temple are facing north. It is said that Sage Bharadhwaja has worshipped the Lord here.

There is an ant hill present inside the temple. Usually, we can see such ant hill only in Amman temples. But this is the only Vishnu temple which has an ant hill. The main deity is said to be evolved from this ant hill only. There is an interesting story behind this temple.

Ages back a cow belonging to a villager used to graze around in the forests here. One day the master of the cow saw the cow pouring its milk in a bush without any one actually milking it. The master who got confused went and saw the place along with the villagers. There was an ant hill amidst the bushes. They started demolishing the ant hill curiously. While digging out they saw this idol of Lord Krishna showing up. While digging further, it is said that, Lord Krishna moved his leg a bit and stood slanting to avoid being hit by the crowbar. But one of the crowbars hit Him on his shoulders. The villagers took out this beautiful idol of Lord Krishna which stood tilted, holding a whip on His hand.

It is said that the mark of the crowbar still remains on the deity and sandal paste is applied on it regularly, to heal the wound.

The villagers installed the idol here adjacent to the ant hill itself. The Lord does not have any Peetam or base and seen standing on the floor, in a tilted posture with one of his leg a bit away. Sri Garuda (His carrier) is seen in front of the sanctum.

Ancient Chozha king, Karikaal Chozha II has built this temple for Lord Krishna and hence the God here came to be known as Sri Kari Krishna Perumal.

Goddess here is Sri Soundaravalli, having a separate shrine outside the sanctum, facing east. There is also a separate shrine for Sri Rama here.

Another rare feature of this place is the Shiva Vishnu meet, which is celebrated once in a year. It is said that there were 2 Rishis performing penance nearby. They planned to pray Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively and both gave dharshan to them simultaneously. Marking this occasion, a festival called Hari – Haran Sandhippu Urchavam (‘Shiva - Vishnu Meet’ festival) is celebrated annually near this temple. This is probably the only place where these 2 Gods meet.

There is a 16 pillar Mandapam outside the temple in front of the Raja Gopuram. A stone slab above these pillars form a firm ceiling for the Mandapam. All the 16 pillars are in a slanted position looking as if the whole structure is falling. But actually the whole Mandapam is brilliantly made in a tilted form, for the reason that the main deity here is standing in a tilted position. All the pillars of this Mandapam have exquisite carvings on them.

Sri Kari Krishna Perumal is worshipped here by childless couples to be blessed with a child. It is considered as Prarthana Sthalam (temple that fulfils wishes) for the childless. It is believed that Perumal fulfils their prayers.

The Sthala Viruksham (temple tree) is Magizha Maram and the Theertham here is called Santhaana Pushkarani.

A temple that’s too wonderful to miss.