Vaitheeswaran Temple Pullirukkuvelur Tamil Nadu

Vaitheeswaran Koil or Pullirukkuvelur Temple is one of the nine Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu and is the Navagraha Stalam associated to Angaraka or Sevvai or Kuja (Planet Mars- one of the Navagrahas). Located near Sirkazhi, the shrine is about 24 km from Chidambaram, 50 km from Kumbakonam, and 4 km from Mayiladuthurai on the Chidambaram Road. Similar to other Navagaraha Temples, the main deity of Vaitheeswaran Kovil is Lord Shiva as Vaidyanathaswamy and Goddess Parvathi Devi as Thaiyalnaayaki. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Vaitheeswaran, which literally means the "Lord Doctor" who can cure all diseases. Thaiyalnaayaki is seen carrying the "Sanjeevi Thailam", the medicinal oil for all illness.

Angaraka or Mangal (Planet Mars) worship is of great importance here and this is the uniqueness of this temple. Also known as Sevvai or Chevvai, the bronze image of Angaraka is placed in this shrine. This is taken out in procession on a goat mount every Tuesday, as Tuesday is considered as an auspicious day to worship Sevvai.

Picture of Vaitheeswaran Temple, Angaraka or Mars Navagraha Temple in Tamilnadu

Lord Muruga is worshipped here as Selvamuthukumaraswamy (Selva Muthukumara Swamy). The temple also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari or Dhanwantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and the God of Ayurvedic medicine. Another important feature of the temple is the shrine dedicated to Jvaraharesvara (Lord of Fevers). There are around eighteen theerthams (holy tanks) seen here, out of which the Siddhamirtham tank is of most important one. The nectar with which the Sidhas worshipped Lord Shiva is said to have flown into this theertham.

About The Temple

Pullirukkuvelur (Pul - Irukku - Vel – Ur) obtained its name as Jatayu (Pull), Rig Veda (Irukku), Skanda (Vel) and Surya (Ur) are said to have worshipped Shiva here. Vaitheeswaran Koil has several mandapams and four rajagopurams and a significant feature in the temple construction is that the western tower allows the rays of the Sun to fall on the Shivalingam (Shiva Linga) for a few days every year. Inscriptions from the period of Vikrama Chola (12th century CE), the Nayakas (16th century CE) and the Mahrathas (18th century) are seen here. The temple is situated on the northern side of the Cauvery River.

Vaitheeswaran Koil History

The term Vaitheeswaran means ‘Lord Doctor’ in Tamil. Legend has it that Angaraka was suffering from leprosy and was cured by Lord Vaidhyanathaswamy. Hence, it is believed that a bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank will cure all diseases. It is also said that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman did the rituals for Jatayu here (Jatayu is the divine bird mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana). As such a pond is found here called Jatayu Kundam. Another importance of the temple is that the Saptarshi or Saptarishi (Sanskrit word which means "Seven Sages") have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Prasadam

The ashes here, referred as Thiruchandu Urundai, is supposed to cure all the diseases. It is prepared from Homa Kundam. Another medicine is Chandan (sandalwood powder) with Saffron.

Offerings

As Sevvai is attired in red colour, he is offered with Thoor dhal and red arali flowers during Poojas. Besides, Milagu (Pepper) and Salt with Jaggery are offered in the Siddhamritam to get rid of diseases. Offerings of unrefined sugar are also placed here.

Worship

Tuesdays are preferred for the worship of Angaraka. If one observes the fast on Tuesday for 21 times, the unlucky influence of Mangal (Tuesday) can be got relieved. Generally, six worship services are offered daily. Kartikai (Karthigai) is celebrated in a great manner. The annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the Tamil months of Pankuni and Thai with much religious fervor.

Temple Timings

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is opened from 7 AM to 12.00 PM and 4 PM to 8.30 PM daily. The opening and closing timings may change during special pujas and festive occasions.

How to reach Vaitheeswaran Temple

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is 24 km from Chidambaram, 50 km from Kumbakonam, and 110 km from Thanjavur, in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Kumbakonam railway station is the nearest railhead. The Mysore Express train passes through Mayiladuthurai from Mysore via Bangalore, Salem, Erode, Trichy, Tanjore and Kumbakonam.

Tiruchirapalli Airport or Trichy Airport is the nearest domestic airport. The nearest international airport is the Chennai International Airport.

Nearby Attractions

Nadi Jyotisa or Nadi astrology is a popular form Hindu Vedic astrology practiced here. It is believed that Hindu sages in ancient times have written down the past, present, and future lives of all human being in Nadi Grantha or Palm Leaf Manuscripts. If you believe in astrology you can try Nadi Jyotisha near Vaitheeswaran Kovil.

Bhramapureeswarar Temple at Sirkazhi, in Nagapattinam District is just 20 km from Mayiladuthurai. Thirukkazhiseerama Vinnagaram Perumal Temple and Thiruvenkadu Swetaranyeswarar Temple (Budha Stalam) are located nearby.

Photo Courtesy - Rajesh CK - Picassa

--

Related Posts

Astrological Remedies for Kuja Dosha
Learn about Nadi Astrology
12 Chapters of Nadi Jyothisha

--

Comments

  1. Thanks for this inspirational and information devotional blog. Do you or fellow bloggers know where I may purchase some "Sanjeevi Thailam, the medicinal oil for all illness" mentioned above. Thank you so much!
    Kind regards, Darlene

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for all this information. Can you kindly guide me to genuine Nadi Jyotisa. If you can please provide me the contact details and the name. I would really be greatful to you.My ID is atheena999@live.co.uk


    God Bless,

    ReplyDelete
  3. P.A.PARAMESWARAN

    The nearest Railway Station is Mayiladuthurai now. Jan Shadabdhi Express from Coimbatore to Mayiladuthurai is the best train available to reach Mayiladuthurai and it runs on all week days except Tuesday. From there, it is only 18 kms. to reach Vaitheeswaran Kovil. Moreover, while making a trip to Vaitheeswaran Kovil (Angaraha Shetram), we can also visit Thiruvenkadu (Bhudan Shetram), Seergaszhi Sri Sattanadha Swamy temple and Chidambaram. There is also Annan Perumal Kovil and around 11 Perumal Temples near by and Vaanamutti Perumal Temple at Kozhikuthi. Thirupungur (Nanadanar charithram) is also nearby to Vaitheeswaran Kovil.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks P.A. Parameswaran sir for the update on the nearest railway station to reach Vaitheeswaran Temple and the nearby Navagraha Temples.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can you please let me know why it is called Pullirukkuvelur Temple?

    Can you please explain the meaning of "Pullirukkuvelur"?

    ReplyDelete
  6. There is another train (daily) from Chennai to Tiruchi via Vaitheeswaran Koil i.e Cholan Express (Day express) which starts at 8.20AM at Chennai Egmore and reach Vaitheesawaran koil around 1.30PM and return around 11.30 AM from Vaitheeswran koil and reaches Chennai around 6.00PM

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the travel information friend. A great help for tourists from Chennai planning to visit Vaitheeswaran Temple by train.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful blog & good post.Its really helpful for me, awaiting for more new post. Keep Blogging!

    Medical Manuscript Writing

    ReplyDelete
  9. hi can u pl kindly guide me to genuine Nadi Jyotisa. If you can please provide me the contact details and the name. I would really be greatful to you.My ID is cheerdeepti@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. The temple also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari or Dhanwantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and the God of Ayurvedic medicine.

    ReplyDelete
  11. please guide me about the genuine naadi jyotish center at vaitheeswarnkoil with contact no. I am on jitendrrajha@gmail.com 09431953774

    ReplyDelete
  12. Do anyone have the latest devasthanam number of Vaitheeswaran temple Nagapattinam? Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  13. Is there a Varahi Amman sannidhi in Vaitheeswaran Koil ?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, can you please kindly guide me to genuine Nadi Jyotisa. If you can please provide me the contact details and the name. I would really be greatful to you.My ID is sk.madiwalar@gmail.com thanks

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Search Hindu Devotional Topics

Contact Hindu Devotional Blog

Name

Email *

Message *