Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple: Nestled in the retro village of Vaitheeswaran, just 7 km from Sirkazi in Tamil Nadu, the Vaitheeswaran Koil stands as a revered Navagraha temple dedicated to the planet Mars, known as Angaraka. This sanctum, associated with healing powers, worships Lord Shiva in his form as a Vaidya or healer, with his consort Parvati by his side in the form of Thayyal Nayagi.
Also Read:
The temple has a special place for devotees of Muruga, with a reliable shrine in the inner sanctums. As you explore the sacred grounds, you will see murtis of Subrahmanya, Nataraja, Somaskanda, and Angaraka, along with sculptures depicting Dakshinamoorthy, Surya, Durga, Vedas, Muruga, Sampati, and Jatayu.
Thayyal Nayagi’s shrine represents Parvati holding medicinal oil, symbolizing the temple’s connection to healing. Additionally, there’s a separate shrine for Angaraka, symbolizing Mars among the Navagrahas, with two distinct forms – Utsavar and Moolavar.
The temple’s Siddhamrutha Theertham acknowledged to possess powerful medicinal properties, is a holy tank where a dip is thought to cure different ailments, especially skin diseases. The temple is guarded by Bhairava to the east, Mother Kali to the north, and Veerabhadran to the west, while the sanctum faces the west.
Dhanvantari, one of the 18 holy Siddhas, has a dedicated shrine near the Vaithyanathaswamy shrine, making this temple a powerful place for healing.
Also identified as Thirupullirukku Velur, legends suggest that this temple stands on the exact spot where Lord Rama, Lakshman, and the Saptarishis meditated.
Location
Vaitheeswaran Koil, also known for Naadi astrology, is situated near Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam District, 7 kilometers from Sirkazhi, 235 kilometers from Chennai, 27 km from Chidambaram, 110 km from Thanjavur, and 16 km from Mayiladuthurai.
Religious Significance
This Navagraha temple, dedicated to Angaraka, carries enormous religious importance. Lord Shiva’s healing form, along with the presence of Dhanvantari and Vaitheeswarar, makes it meaningful for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The ashes of Jatayu and the unique single-faced Muruga further add to the temple’s unique features.
Offering prayers in this temple is supposed to bring peace to families, and resolve conflicts related to land and property. The temple is associated with Murugan obtaining a Vel trident, making it known as Selvamuthu Kumaran.
Temple Timings:
The temple is open for darshan in two slots:
- 6:00 am to 1:00 pm
- 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Rituals & Pujas
Various pujas and prayers are performed daily, with Kula dosa puja being a special Sunday ritual. A unique abhishekam for Swami and Ambal, along with a midnight puja for Lord Muthukumaraswamy, are performed at the temple.
History
According to Hindu Puranas, Chevvai, or Mars was born from a drop of Lord Shiva’s sweat, making it Shiva’s son. The temple tank Siddhamrutha Theertham is mentioned to have powerful medicinal qualities. The temple is also known as “Pullirukkuvelur” in the Puranas.
Architecture
The Vaitheesewarar temple boasts a 5-tier raja gopuram, two smaller gopurams inside, and a spacious arena. The principal deity, Vaitheeswarar, resides in the inner sanctum. Stone sculptures of different deities, a shrine of Thaiyalnayaki, and a southern gateway leading to the temple tank are prominent features.
How to Reach:
- By Air: The nearest airports are Trichy (95 km) and Pondicherry (140 km).
- By Road: Well-connected by buses from Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, and Mayiladuthurai.
- By Rail: Trains stop at Vaitheesewaran Koil village, with nearby stations in Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, and Kumbakonam.