Information of Vaidyanatha Swami Temple (Vaitheeswaran Koil / Pullirukkuvelur Temple), Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

Vaidyanatha Swami Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is situated at Vaitheeswaran Koil near Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu state. Vaidyanatha Swami Temple is also commonly known as Pullirukkuvelur.

Vaitheeswaran Temple is also commonly known as Pullirukkuvelur. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this Hindu temple which is situated in Tamil Nadu, India. Lord Shiva is revered and worshipped here in this temple as Vaitheeswaran which means the "God of healing" as it is popularly supposed that praying and worshipping the Lord that is Vaitheeswaran helps in treating diseases.

Vaidyanatha Swami Temple (Vaitheeswaran Koil) Religious Significance

The Vaitheeswaran Temple is regarded to be amongst all the nine Navagraha temples meaning the nine planets temples and is assumed to be related to one particular planet that is Mars. Vaitheeswaran is a small sleepy village close to Chidambaram in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple complex houses a water tank known as Siddhamirtham tank whose water is considered to be sacred owing to the presence of nectar in it which is regarded as a great remedy for all diseases. The worship of Mangal or Mars planet is quite a significant, imperative and unique feature with regard to the temple. The representation of Angaraka or the Mars planet also known as Chevvai or Sevvai in bronze can be observed in this place of worship. The image is brought out for the purpose of public viewing on the top of a goat in a march on every Tuesday as this day is believed to be a favourable day for worshipping the Sevvai. Apart from Lord Shiva and his wife goddess Parvati, Lord Muruga is also adored here and is known by the name of Selvamuthukumaraswamy. The Vaitheeswaran Temple even has a memorial or special place of worship devoted to Lord Dhanwantri or Dhanvantri, Vishnu's personification and is referred to as the "God of Ayurvedic medicine". The other significant characteristic of this temple is a special shrine meant for Jvaraharesvara or the "Lord of Fevers". The temple and the village is also quite popular owing to the wide practice of a particular kind of Hindu astrology known as Nadi astrology in and around the temple.

Vaidyanatha Swami Temple (Vaitheeswaran Koil) Mythology & History

According to the mythological beliefs, during the era of Ramayana, Saptarishi, Rama and Lakshmana used to worship the idol in the very same place. It is assumed that Lakshmana along with his elder brother Rama had cremated Jatayu, the king of the vultures who got murdered by Ravana while he attempted to resist the seizure of Sita in the same place. The temple complex includes a small pond known as the Jatayu kundam or Jatayu's pot containing the sacred Vibhuti's ash. Planet Mars or rather Angaraka had to bear the pain of a grave illness that is leprosy which was treated by Vaidhyanathaswamy and thus, the temple had since been considered to be amongst the Navagraha Temples with regard to the planet Mars or Angraka.

Vaidyanatha Swami Temple (Vaitheeswaran Koil) Architectural Significance

The structure of the Vaitheeswaran Temple evidently demonstrates Dravidian pattern of architecture with a temple tower with five levels along with huge grounds. The main place of worship is dedicated to Vaitheeswaran in the form of a lingam which is situated in the interior part of the particular area. The temple also has a temple tree known as the Sthala Vriksha which is a margosa and is believed to have medicinal characteristics. The temple is known to include about eighteen holy water tanks among which the Siddhamirtham tank is recognized to be the one of utmost significance. The nectar used during the worship of Lord Shiva by the Sidhas is believed to have seeped into the mentioned water tank.