Vaitheeswaran Koil, Tamil Nadu

Vaitheeswaran Koil or Pullirukkuvelur 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 temples associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka).

It is located 7 kilometers from Sirkazhi, 235 kilometers from Chennai, 27 km from Chidambaram, 110 km from Thanjavur and 16 km from Mayiladuthurai. Vaitheeswaran Koil is also called Thirupullirukku Velur.

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Vaitheeswaran Koil has several mandapams and 4 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. This is a large temple that covers a total land area of 10.7 acres.

The Vaitheeswaran Koil has a 5-tier gopuram (temple tower) and large precincts. The central shrine is that of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam in the inner most sanctum. The first precinct around the sanctum has the metal image of Subramanya, worhsipped here as Muthukumara Swamy. The other metal images in the sanctum are of Nataraja, Somaskanda, Angaraka and stone sculptures of Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, Surya (Sun god), Jatayu, Vedas, Sampati. The shrine of Thaiyalnayaki who stands with the medicinal oil to cure the diseases of the devotees is present in the second precinct facing south. The large precinct also has a small shrine to Dhanvantari and shrine of Angaraka in stone sculpture. The southern gateway from this precinct leads to the temple tank and directly faces the Thaiyalnayaki shrine. The Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is margosa (Azadirachta indica) which possesses medicinal properties. It is located in the eastern gateway of the temple. The eastern gateway also has the shrine of Adi (original) temple that has a smaller replica of the main shrines. There is a fine metal image of Gangavisarjanar inside the temple.

The inscription on the steps of Subramanya shrine records the shutter of the sluice at Sattainathapuram measures 35 inches in length and 8 inches in breadth. The one on the right of the temple tank indicates the tank, Nachiyar shrine, and its hall were completely renovated when Kanderayar was governing the Sigali Simai, and during the management of the temple by Muthukumaraswami Tambiran, a disciple of Sivagnanadesikar-Sambandar of the Dharmapuram Adheenam. On the wall of the second precinct, the inscriptions state that the courtyard of Thayalnayagi shrine, the sacred steps and Tattisuri hall were built during Tamil year 4868 corresponding to 1689 CE. On the floor near accountant’s seat registers a deed granted by Sankarabaragiri Rengopanditar by Ambalavanatambiran, an agent of the temple. The Easter gateway inscription indicates the gift of taxes from Manipallam in Tiruvalipparu.

The Vaitheeswaran Koil is guarded by Bhairava on the East, Veerabhadran on the west, Karpage Vinayagar on the South and Mother Kali on the north. The sanctum faces west.

The Navagrahas unlike in other temples, are in a row. Near Bairavan are Ramar, Sadayu, Murugar, Suriyan and Chevvai. There is a separate idol of Chevvai.

Chevvai is present in two forms – Utsavar (the idol that is taken out in procession during festivals) is near the Vaithyanathaswamy sannidhi (shrine) and the moolavar (the idol that is placed permanently in a place) is in the Eastern side of the outer praharam (circumambulatory path). The Utsava Murthy, mounted on a goat, is taken out in a procession inside the temple premises every Tuesday. Of the 18 holy Siddhas ‘Dhanvantari’ belongs to this temple. There is a small shrine to Lord Dhanvantari in the praharam (circumambulatory path) around Vaitheeswaran’s Sannidhi (Sanctum sanctorum).

It is also said during the Ramayana period, Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman cremated the vulture king Jatayu who was killed by Ravana when he tried to prevent the abduction of Sita at this place. As such a pond is found here called Jatayu Kundam (pot of Jatayu having holy ash of Vibhuti). Another importance of the temple is that the Saptarshi or Saptarishi (Sanskrit word which means “Seven Sages”) have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Our Puranas state that when Lord Siva and Shakti had parted and were living separate, Chevvai was born from the sweat that feel upon the ground from mother Uma’s forehead.

There is also a different version in which chevvai is the son of sage Bharathwaja and was brought up by Mother Earth. In Macha purana, it is told that Veerabhadra who was created from the third eye of Lord Siva, destroyed the yaga of Daksha. The Devas were terrified of the havoc wrought by Veerabhadra who grew conscious of this fear, transformed himself into Chevvai.

Puranas mention the temple by the name ‘Pullirukkuvelur’. 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.

The village is also known for palm leaf astrology called Naadi astrology in Tamil. Also, Oali suvadi Jothidam or Nadi Jyothisham is one type of Astrological concept which is famous in this Vaitheeswaran Koil area.

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is opened from 6 AM to 1.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM daily. The opening and closing timings may change during special pujas and festive occasions.

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.

As Chevvai 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.

Tuesdays are preferred for the worship of Angaraka. If one observes the fast on Tuesday for 21 times, the unlucky influence of Tuesday (Mangal) can be got relieved. Generally, six worship services are offered daily.

Devotees take a holy dip in the temple tank before worshipping Vaitheeswaran in the temple. It is also a local belief that dissolving jaggery (Tamil:vellam) in the waters cures skin diseases. Tonsure ceremony of getting children shaved for the first time to promote proper growth is a very common practise. Mavilaku ma (litting lamp in rice cakes) is a form of worship practised. The practise of jamming salt and pepper in front of the temple mast and the pot near the temple tank is also followed.

Unlike other temples in South India, where each shrine has a priest, each priest in the temple associates themselves with the devotees and performs worship on their behalf. The holy soil rounded with ash (called Thiruchandu Urundai) is treated as medicine and believed to cure all the diseases. Another medicine given is chandan (sandalwood powder) with saffron. Devotees also donate carved silver plated body organs in the Hundi (vessel for offering) to cure the diseases.

Here Shiva is worshipped only after the midnight pujas are offered to Muthukumarasamy. On the evenings of each Tuesday, Chevvai comes round the temple, seated up on the goat.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

Shiva is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the “God of healing” and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. His consort is Thaiyalnaayaki ambal. Thaiyalnaayaki is seen carrying the “Sanjeevi Thailam”, the medicinal oil for all illness.

Once, one of the nine planets, Angaraka (Mars) 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.

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.

Chevvai Bhagavan has two wives; Malini and Susilini. Chevvai is the Lord of Mesha and Vrichika Rasi and he faces South direction. The Adi Devatha is Boomidevi; Prathyathi Devatha is Kshetra Balagan; his colour is red and his vahana is the ram. Chevvai rids upon the Annam bird. He is of reddish form. His seat in triangular. Chevvai dev’s flag has a goat as the emblem. His golden Chariot is pulled by eight horses. Chevvai is of great austerity. His body is the flame of yoga, he is skilled in all the subtler arts. Chevvai is to the south of Suriyan. His demeanour is smiling and pleasant; he has four arms, three of which have weapons of war and one shows a posture of harbourage. It is also told that Chevvai and Lord Muruga and not different. His other names are: Angaraha, Kuja, Bowman and Bhumiputhran. The grain associated with him is thuvarai; the flowers – shenbagam and red arali; fabric – red cloth; gem – coral; food- rice mixed with toor dhal powder.

Chevvai is the Lord of Aries and Scorpio, the period of his influence is seven years. He is propitiated for the troubles associated with one’s siblings for the repayment of loans associated with house and land, for the cure of the rheumatism and arthritis, for the removal of hurdles which obstruct marriage, for the healing up wounds, injuries, tumours and fractures. Chevvai is propitiated by prayers to Lord Murugan by wearing a red dress and the Gem stone Pavazha, fasting on Tuesdays. Chevvai grants land, valour, strength and happiness to his devotee. He also makes a man large-hearted, courageous, and unswerving in his purpose.

The Chevvai dosham (malefic effect) caused by unfavourable position of Angarakan or Chevvai in the horoscope may manifest as aggressiveness, tendency to get into unnecessary arguments or jealousy in the native. It can also result in loss of money, physical injury or even imprisonment. Chevvai dosham is rectified by performing parihara poojas (appeasement poojas) to this deity. Devotees may perform Angaraka Pooja to get rid of financial crisis. Worshipping Chevvai here helps in neutralizing the negative effects. Offerings of red cloth and Bengal gram or kadalai paruppu are made to Chevvai here. Tuesdays are special days here as Chevvai is associated with that day of the week.

Lord Subramanya, a very important deity here, is known as Selva Muthukumaraswamy. It is to be noted that Chevvai is ruled by Lord Subramanya. During Lord Subramanya’s fight with Tharakasuran – brother of Surapadman – there was a lot of casualty on both sides leaving many dead and injured. Lord Shiva obliged Lord Subramnya’s prayer to treat the injured.

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.

There is also a shrine dedicated to Dhanwantari here. The prasadam offered at this temple is Thiruchaandu Urundai placed at the Thaiyalnayaki shrine and distributed. Another prasadam offered here is sandal paste referred to as Nettirapidi Chandanam. Lord Shiva in this temple is swayambumurthi.

By Road

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is 24 km from Chidambaram, 50 km from Kumbakonam, and 110 km from Thanjavur, in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu.

By Rail

Kumbakonam railway station is the nearest railhead. The Mysore Express train passes through Mayiladuthurai from Mysore via Bangalore, Salem, Erode, Trichy, Tanjore and Kumbakonam.