Agora Veerabadrar Temple , Veeravadi , Thiruvarur

Moolavar : Agora Veerabadrar   Urchavar : -   Amman / Thayar : Badrakali   Thala Virutcham : -   Theertham : Arasalaru River   Agamam / Pooja : Shivagama   Old year : 500-1000 years old   Historical Name : Veeravadi   City : Veeravadi   District : Tiruvarur   State : Tamil Nadu

-   Shivrathri in February-March; Tirukarthikai in November-December and Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.     The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram. Lord Veerabadra is holding bow, arrow, sword and danda in His hands.

The temple is open from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Those desiring to visit the temple during other hours have to inform the priest in advance to avoid disappointment. Sri Agora Veerabadrar Temple, Veeravadi, Rudra Ganga-609 503. Poonthottam post, Tiruvarur district.   Lord Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka graces the devotees in the temple.  The tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of a three tier design.  Famous temples as Tiruveezhimizhalai for marriage boon, Mappillaiswami, Koothanur Saraswathi and the Sethalapathi Shiva temple with an idol of Lord Vinayaka with a human face and noted for Amavasya-new moon day worship are near Poonthottam.

Devotees pray here for safety of women and those facing troubles in wedding talks due to Mars (Sevvai) adverse aspects pray here.     Women, after realizing their wishes come to the temple with their father on Tuesdays, offer bêtel leaf and Vilwa garlands to Lord Veerabadra and also offer curd rice as nivedhana. When Tuesdays coincide with Ashtami – eighth day of new moon or full moon fortnights – they offer garlands made of flowers of eight varieties and perform special pujas. The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram.  Lord Veerabadra is holding bow, arrow, sword and danda in His hands.  The crown has a Linga.  Kali, who destroyed the demons looks furious.  Before proceeding to wed Mother Parvathi, Lord Shiva left Mother Ganga in the custody of Sri Veerabadra.  The place where Mother Ganga stayed here is a little away from this place called Rudra Ganga.  Lord Shiva graces in this place as Lord Abathsahayeswarar.  As a rule, devotees worship Lord Abathsahayeswarar first before their prayer to Sri Veerabadra.    On Shivrathri day, 4 time puja is dedicated to Veerabadra and Maakalar in the front mandap.  Lord Vishnu who came here for destroying demons appears with His discus.  There is also a shrine for Lord Srinivasa and Mother Mahalakshmi.  The place is named Veeravadi as Sri Veerabadra placed His steps here first.  River Arasalari is flowing northward.   Women come to temple with their father, offer vilwa and betel leaf garlands to Veerabadra on Tuesdays with curd rice nivedhana. When Ashtami day coincides with Tuesday, they offer garlands made of 8 varieties of flowers and perform pujas.

Devas in the celestial world surrendered to Lord Shiva seeking protection from the harassments of demon brothers Amban and Ambasura.  Lord Shiva sent Lord Vishnu and Mother Parvathi to destroy them.  Lord Vishnu came to the place as an aged man accompanied by Mother Parvathi as His daughter.  Both demon brothers were enticed by the alluring beauty of Parvathi and expressed their desire to marry Her.  The old man said that the one who is powerful over the other will have His daughter’s hand.  In the battle between the brothers, Amban killed Ambasura.  Mother Parvathi took Her Badrakali form and killed Amban.  Due to this killing, She incurred the Brahmmahati dosha (sin of killing).  Lord Shiva sent Sri Verabadra and drove away the dosha from Mother Parvathi.  The temple is built for Veerabadra and Lord Shiva as Maakalar based on this story.