சுவேதாரண்யேஸ்வரர் கோயில் (திருவெண்காடு)Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu

Sthala Mahātmyam

The Swetharanyeswarar Temple at Thiruvenkadu, in Mayiladuthurai district, is the Navagraha shrine of Budha, the planet Mercury. Thiruvenkadu means the 'white forest,' and the temple is celebrated in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns of the Nayanar saints, marking it a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Shiva is worshipped here as Swetharanyeswarar, represented by the lingam, with his consort Parvati as Brahmavidyambigai. The shrine is unusual in having three presiding forms — Swetharanya, Aghora and Nataraja — who are believed to govern Budha. Mercury, associated with intellect and the power of speech, presides over Wednesday; in tradition Budha is married to Ila, daughter of Vaivasvata Manu, and is held to signify a person's speaking skills. Devotees worship here seeking eloquence, sharpness of mind and success in learning and commerce, and to relieve afflictions of Mercury in the horoscope. The most important festival is the float festival, celebrated on the last day of the twelve-day celebrations in the Tamil month of Maasi (February–March).