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| Vaitheeswaran Koil |
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| The Holy waters of the Siddhamirtham Tank of Vaitheeswaran Koil |
The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of 7th
century Saiva nayanars - Tamil saint poets and is
also classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam [temple revered by the nayanars].
A long corridor line with pillars on either side marks the entrance to the Vaitheeswaran Koil. It is to be noted that this Shethram was called in the puranas as Pullirukkurelur.
History of the Temple:
The main diety of the temple is Vaidyanatha Swamy, who is believed to have arrived here as a vaidyan or healer, in response to the prayers of Angarakan[Mars] to cure him of the leprosy he was suffering from.
His consort is Thaiyilnayaki, who accompanies him with a vessel containing medicinal oil. There is also a sannidhi for the divine healer, Dhanvantri, in this temple.
The medicine which Shiva is believed to have given Angakarakan is made from the ashes of the Homa kundam, n front of the Subramanya shrine, is called Thiruchaandu Urundai. Rituals are performed where a mixture of earth and ashes from the homa kundam are shaped into pills and placed at the Thaiyilnayaki shrine and distributed. This is the mail prasadam in this temple and is believed to cure every type of illness.
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| The Long Corridors inside Vaitheeswaran Temple |
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| Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy-Main Deity |
The main diety of the temple is Vaidyanatha Swamy, who is believed to have arrived here as a vaidyan or healer, in response to the prayers of Angarakan[Mars] to cure him of the leprosy he was suffering from.
His consort is Thaiyilnayaki, who accompanies him with a vessel containing medicinal oil. There is also a sannidhi for the divine healer, Dhanvantri, in this temple.
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| Consort Sri Thaiyilnayaki |
The vicinity of the Temple
This Shivastalam is a well known, well visited shrine with
towering Gopurams; hailed as one of the 9 Navagraha Stalams, sacred to Mars -
Angaarakan [Angaaragan] it is visited by thousands of people. It is located in
close proximity to Sirkazhi and Chidambaram. The Singaravelar - Subramanya
shrine is also of importance here. There are several literary works about this
shrine. Ramalinga Adigalar has sung its praises. Tiruvenkaadu is also located
near Vaideeswaran Koyil.
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| The temple Gopuram |
Temple and Thamizh culture
This temple is rich
in legend and tradition. There are several works in Tamil dedicated
to this shrine. It was visited by Tirugnanasambandar, Appar. Arunagirinathar's
Tiruppugazh hymns also speak of the glory of this shrine. So do the hymns of
saints such as Kumaragurupara Swamigal and Ramalinga Adigalaar. Poems of
Kaalamega Pulavar and Padikkasu Tambiran also speak of the glories of this
shrine.
The Temple complex and Deities
This is a vast temple with several mandapams and gopurams. The
Navagrahams are in a single file as in Tiruvarur and a few other places.
Deities: Vaidyanathaswamy and ThaiyalNayaki are the presiding
deities of this temple. The Selvamuthukkumaraswamy shrine here is also
considered to be of importance. There are Shivalingams said to have been
worshipped by Rama, Jatayu, Skanda, Surya and Angaraka.
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| Angaaraka representing the planet Mars |
Angaaraka: The Angaaraka shrine here is also of great significance
and is indeed unique to this temple. A bronze of image of Angaaraka is housed
in this shrine and is taken out in procession on a goat mount every Tuesday.
Angaaraka represents the planet Mars and is described as one with a fiery red
complexion attired in red and as the overlord of the zodiac signs of Aries and
Scorpia and as being the strongest in the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
The Dharumapuram Adhinam has made several endowments to this temple.
Inscriptions from the period of Vikrama Chola [12th century CE], the Nayakas [16th
century CE] and the Mahrathas [18th century] are seen in this temple.
Festivals:
Brahmotsavam (annual festival) is celebrated during the
Tamil calendar months of Pankuni and Thai [January–February]. Karthigai festival
during November is also celebrated with pomp and glory. Kantha Sashti, a
festive occasion for Subramanya, is celebrated in the shrine of
Muthukumaraswamy.
Angaraka Moola Mantram: Aum kram krim kraum sah
bhaumaya namah
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Angaraka Gayathri: AUM Angarkaya vidmahe,
bhoomibalaya dhimahi, thanno kujah prachodayath
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Temple Timings: 6AM to 1 PM and 4PM to 9PM.
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Temple Address
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Arulmigu Vaidhyanathar Temple
Vaitheeswaran Kovil Vaitheeswaran Kovil Post Sirkali Taluk Nagapattinam District PIN 609117 Phone Number: 04364 279 423 |
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