The door to this temple were opened by Appar and closed by Sambandar

Vedaranyeswarar Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the town of Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu. Vedaranyeswarar temple is revered in the 7th century Tamil Shaiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This is the only temple to have found mention in all the seven Thirumurais (Chapters) of Tevaram. Vedaranyeswarar temple is famed for the legend between Appar and Sambandar, when the former sang to open the door while the latter sang to close the door.

The presiding deity of this temple is Thirumaraikadar (Vedaranyeswarar) and his consort Parvathi is called as Marainayagi (Vedanayagi). Vedaranyeswarar temple is a part of the series of temples built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) founder of Medieval Chola Dynasty along the banks of river Kaveri to commemorate his victory in the most famous Tirupurambiyam battle (which changed the course of south Indian history). It has several inscriptions dating back to the Chola period. Paranjothi Munivar, a 13th-century saint, who wrote the book ‘Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam’, was born in Vedaranyam.

The town Vedaranyam is named after Vedaranyeswarar, the presiding deity of the temple. The place was earlier known as "Tirumaraikadu", meaning the place where Vedas originated. Appar and Tirugnanasambandar mentions the place as "Tirumaraikadu" in Tevaram. As per legend, the Vedas worshipped Shiva in this place, giving the name "Vedaranyam" to the place. According to another Hindu legend, Rama, the seventh avatar of god Vishnu, is believed to have worshipped Vedaranyeswarar to absolve himself from the sins committed in the war against the Ravana. The footprint of Rama is preserved in a place called Ramar Padam near Vedaranyam.

Tamil legends says that, on their journey to various Shiva temples spread over the state, celebrated nayanmars Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) came to Thiru Marai Kadu Temple. They were shocked to see that the main entrance of this temple was closed and saw devotees entering the temple through a side entrance. They were told that the Vedas worshipped Lord Shiva here and returned after closing the door. Hearing that Gnanasambandar requested Thirunavukkarasar to sing a hymn on Lord to open the doors. Thirunavukkarasar, with tears flowing from his eyes sang ten verses beginning with line “Pannin Ner Mozhiyal” and begged Lord to open the doors of the temple. The doors opened and both entered the temple through the main entrance and worshipped the Lord. While coming out, Appar wished Gnanasambandar to sing a hymn so that doors could be opened and closed for the daily worship of the devotees as in all temples. Child saint Gnanasambandar sang a Pathigam of 10 verses beginning with “Chathuram Marai” closing the door. Since then, main doors of temple began to function in usual manner as in other temples.

Vedaranyeswarar temple (Thirumaraikadu) is one of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams (seven dance moves of Lord Shiva). Like Veedhi Vidangar in Thiruvarur does Ajaba Natanam during procession, Bhuvani Vidangar in Vedaranyeswarar temple does Hamsapaada Natanam. It is believed that if one take bath in Manikarnika Theertham in this temple and worship Thirumaraikadar and Marainayagi in this temple all hardships caused by sins are vanished.