Thiruvenkadu, is a reference to the temple in Valmiki’s Ramayana. Therefore it is said that the oldest part of the temple is more than 3000 years old. Dedicated to Budhan or Mercury this temple in Thiruvenkadu makes up the last of the Navagraha Temples. Budhan is said to bestow wisdom and intellect. Budha or Mercury is considered as the greatest among the wise. This Devata bestows wisdom and wealth on his devotees. He is ruled by Lord Maha Vishnu. This temple is referred in ‘Saiva Thirumurais’ and Sastras. This place is similar to Kasi with all the Snana Ghats.
One can do all the karmas here, that is supposed to be done in kasi. We can find a separate sanctum sanctorum for bhudan. Bhudan holds the portfolio of Education and Arts and it is the next popular place students prefer to go after Tuition centers.
This temple is situated at thiruvenkadu 59Kms away from kumbakonam and 23 Kms away from mayiladuthurai.Bus root from sirkali – Bus No 5a, 5b to poombukar to sirkazhi and from Mayiladuthurai to perunthottam 34,Anantha Nangoor 28,Mangai Madam 12, Illaya Madhu Koodam 4. Rest rooms are also available in this temple.
Also known as Aadi Chidambaram, Natarajar’s dance here is known as Hasti Natanam. Tiruvenkadu is considered to be on par with Benares and is located on the road linking Sirkazhi & Poompuhaar. Nearby Shivastalams include KeezhtirukkattuppalliTiruvalampuram, TiruchaaikaaduPallavaneeswaram and Tirukkalikkaamur.
Meikandar
Acchuthagapanar bathed in the three tanks, worshipped Thiruvengadar and he was blessed with a child. This child came to be known as Meikandar and became the chief of Chandanakuravars.
Pattinathuadigal
Thiruvengadar, the son of Sivanesan and Gnanambigai, with the blessings of a Siva Muni received Siva Ditchai and a Siva Linga and came to be called Pattinathu Adigal.
Indran
Indran to make remedies for his sin of having killed Virudhasuran, worshipped Lord Thiruvengadar & was absolved of his sins.
Iravadam
Sage Durvasar gifted a mala to Indran. Indran, in his vanity threw it on his white elephant Iravadam which stamped the mala under its feet. Durvasar cursed Indran to turn into a wild elephant. Indran realising his folly formed a tank (Thadagam) in Thiruvengadu and worshipped a Siva Linga. He was blessed by Lord Siva and absolved of his sins and reached Indralogam again.
Vedarasi
Vedarasi, a brahmin had placed his bundle of food in the hollow of a tree. A snake residing in the hollow, spewed poison on the food. Unaware of this, Vedarasi gave this food to a vedic priest, who died of the poison. This brahmin was absolved of his Brahmahathi Dosham by worshipping Lord Siva of Thiruvengadu.
Suwedakedu
Suwedakedu on realising that he was destined to die in his eighth year, reached Thiruvengadu and performed Siva pooja. As soon as he saw Yama, he held on to the Siva Linga tightly. Yama on seeing Thiruvengadar, ran away in fear and died. On the request of the Devas, the Lord brought Yama back to life.
Those who visit Thiruvengadu will find relief from puthira dosham, poor studies, mental instability, nervous disorders. Knowledge, music, astrology, maths, sculpting, medicine, language skills are the beneficial aspects of Budan. The sthalam of Budan is Thiruvengadu, which is located 15kms from Sirgazhi enroute to Poompuhar. Budan’s wife is Ilai. The presiding deities are Swedharanyeshwarar and his consort Ambal. Budan is the Lord of Mithunam and Kanni Rasi and he faces the North-East direction. The Adi Devatha is Vishnu and the Prathyathi Devatha Narayanan; his colour is light green; his vahana – the horse; the grain associated with him is full green moong dhal; the flower – white kanthal flower; fabric- green cloth; gem – maragadam; food – rice mixed with moong dhal powder.
Mantra for Marcury
Aum Mahalakshmaye vidmahe
Vishnu Priyaye dhi mahi
Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat
Navagraha Planets And Color:
| Planet | Color | Gem | Grain | Metal |
| Sun | Red | Ruby | Wheat | Bronze |
| Moon | White | Pearl | Paddy/Rice | Lead |
| Mars | Red | Coral | Bengal Gram - Red Lentil Gram | Copper |
| Mercury | Green | Emerald | Green Gram | Mercury |
| Jupiter | Yellow | Yellow Sapphire | Indian Yellow Split Peas (split Gram Lentil) Chana Dal | Gold |
| Venus | White | Diamond | Soya Gram | Silver |
| Saturn | Blue | Blue Sapphire | Sesame (Gingili) | Iron & Steel |
| Rahu | Black | Zircon | Black Gram | Rocks-Blackstone |
| Ketu | Multi-color | Cat's Eye | Horse gram | Red stones |
