Vedaranyam is an important coastal place in Nagapattinam District. In earlier times it was called as Vedhavanam. It is one of the Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam and sung high by the three Tamil Saints Sammandhar, Appar and Thirunavukkarasar. Therefore some refer this Temple as Moovar Paadal Petra Sthalam. The Moolavar or Presiding Deity is referred by several names such as Sri Vedaranyeswarar, Sri Maraikaateeswarar, Sri Vedavanesar and Sri Vedaranyeswara Swamy. From the inscriptions it is perceived that this is one of the Maada Temples built by Kochengat Cholan. The Chola Rulers Paranthaka Cholan, Kulothunga Cholan, Vikrama Cholan and Rajendra Cholan III had given this Temple their support. The Marata Rulers such as Tulaja Maharaja and Pratap Singh Maharaja developed this Temple to a great extent.

The Temple has a five tiered East facing Rajagopuram with two stucco Idols of Dwara Baalakas who seem to guard this Temple. There is a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram, a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam facing West looking towards the Moolasthanam. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Vedaranyeshwarar is seen East facing in the form of Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. To the rear of the Moolasthanam are the Idols of Shivan and Parvathy smeared with Sandhana Kaapu or Sandal paste. Shivan here is refered as Maraikaatu Manalar. Around the Koshtam are the Idols of Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Lingothbhavar, Sri Brahmma and Sri Durgai. The Consort here is known as Sri Veenavadha Vidhushini or Sri Yaazhaipazhitha Mozhiyammai or Sri Vedhanayaki. She has a separate Shrine in which She is seen South facing and in a standing posture. There is a Dwajasthambam facing the Shrine of Ambal. The next important Shrine of this Temple is that of Sri Veerahathi Vinayagar which is West facing. He gains prominence due to the fact that He got rid of the Brahmmahathi Dosham incurred by Sri Rama after vanquishing Ravana and His Troops. It is believed that Sri Rama had come here and offered Prayers before Sri Veerahathi Vinayagar. Even today the Temple preserves the Divine Feet set by Sri Rama during His visit to ths Temple. There is a Kodi Maram or Dwajasthambam kept before the Sannadhi or Sri Veerahathi Vinayagar.

The corridor has Idols of 63 Naayanmaars, Sri Ramanatha Lingam, Chera, Chola, Pandya Lingams, Sri Kumaran, Sri Kaatchi Kodutha Naayanar, Sri Arumugar, Sri Saneeswarar, Sri Jurahareshwarar, Sri Annapoorani, Sri Durgai and Sri Choleeswara Lingam. The Saraswathi Idol here is seen without Her usual Veena. The Navagrahams are seen side by side in a straight line. The Idols of Naasikethu and Suvedhakethu are seen under the Vanni Maram which is supposed to the Sthala Viruksham. This Temple is considered as Saptha Vidanga Sthalam. The Temple follows the Ritual of doing Daily Abhishekam to the Deity of Maragadha Vidangar. Vedaranyam gains all the more importance since it is said that Sri Paranjothi Munivar and Sri Thaayumanavar were born in Vedaranyam. The Temple's Sthala Viruksham is a Vaani Maram whereas the Pushkarani is known as Mnaikarnika Theertham. This is the only Temple known to have three Dwajasthambams meant for 1) Sri Vedaranyeshwarar, 2) Ambal and 3) Sri Veerahathi Vinayagar. The sea found close to the Temple is known as Adhi Sethu and bathing here is considered on par to taking 100 dips in the Rameswaram Sea. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri, Maha Shivarathiri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 04369 250238 or For Any information about this Temple and for Hotel Staying facilities Call Nagarajan of Sri Jayaraman Iyer AC Lodge Mobile Number 94439 75042

Temple Timing: 5.30 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 8:30 PM

Distance from Nagapattinam to Vedaranyam is 48 Kms

Distance from Karaikal to Vedaranyam is 65 Kms

Distance from Pattukkottai to Vedaranyam is 65 Kms

Distance from Pudukkottai to Vedaranyam is 144 Kms

Distance from Karaikudi to Vedaranyam is 148 Kms

Distance from Devakottai to Vedaranyam is 163 Kms

Distance from Dindigul to Vedaranyam is 264 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Vedaranyam is 236 Kms

Distance from Devipattinam to Vedaranyam is 177 Kms

Distance from Tiruchirapalli or Trichy to Vedaranyam is 161 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Vedaranyam is 114 Kms

Distance from Kumbakonam to Vedaranyam is 116 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Vedaranyam is 106 Kms

Distance from Thiruvidaimaruthur to Vedaranyam is 113 Kms

Distance from Thirubhuvanam to Vedaranyam is 122 Kms

Distance from Koothanallur to Vedaranyam is 64 Kms

Distance from Kudavasal to Vedaranyam is 91 Kms

Distance from Nannilam to Vedaranyam is 84 Kms

Distance from Needamanagalam to Vedaranyam is 97 Kms

Distance from Thiruthuraipoondi to Vedaranyam is 35 Kms

Distance from Thiruvarur or Tiruvarur to Vedaranyam is 68 Kms

Distance from Srivanjiyam or Srivanchiyam to Vedaranyam is 84 Kms

Distance from Cuddalore to Vedaranyam is 176 Kms

Distance from Marungapallam to Vedaranyam is 76 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Vedaranyam is 367 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Vedaranyam R.S.

For any Suggestions in the Website:T.Ragavachari  98411 40126