Sevvai Temple[Ankarakan] - Sri Vaitheeswaran Temple -Third of the Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nau

Vaitheeswaran Koil

Vaitheeswaran Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Tamil Nadu  India. Shiva is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the "God of healing" and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. It is one of the nine Navagraha [nine planets] temples associated with the planet Mars [Ankaraka]. The village is also known for palm leaf astrology called Naadi astrology in Tamil. It is located 7 kilometer from Sirkali , 235 kilometer from Chennai, 27 km from Chidambaram,  110 km from Thanjavur  and 16 km from Mayiladuthurai.

The Holy waters of the Siddhamirtham Tank
 of Vaitheeswaran Koil

The holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex contains nectar and a holy dip is believed to cure all diseases.

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]. 

The Long Corridors inside Vaitheeswaran Temple

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.

Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy-Main Deity

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.

Consort Sri Thaiyilnayaki

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.

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.

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.

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

Angaraka Gayathri: AUM Angarkaya vidmahe, bhoomibalaya dhimahi, thanno kujah prachodayath

Temple Timings: 6AM to 1 PM and 4PM to 9PM.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Vaidhyanathar Temple Vaitheeswaran Kovil Vaitheeswaran Kovil Post Sirkali Taluk Nagapattinam District PIN 609117 Phone Number: 04364 279 423