Vaitheeshwaran Temple (Lord Angaraka Temple)
LOCATION
Located at a distance of 17kms from Mayiladurai, 27kms from Chidambaram, 45 kms from Karaikal, 54 kms from Kumbakonam.
STHALAPURANAM
name sake = pullirukuvelur – pul(sadaayu), iruku(vedham), vel(murugan), ur(sooriyan)
Other Purana names –
aathivaithiyanathapuri, kandapuri, kurugoor, sadayupuri, dhinagarapuri, paruthipuri, pullur, vedhapuri, velur
Devotees from all over the world came here to seek the blessings of Lord Vaithyanathar or Vaitheeshwaran. The term Vaitheeshwaran is a combination from Vaidhya and Ishvara. He is well known as the “God of Healing”. The temple is in the middle of the town. High round walls on the four sides, Vairavar to the east of the temple, Veerabhatra to the west, Karpaka Vinayaka to the south and Kali to the north are guarding this temple.
The large precinct also has a small shrine to Dhanvantari. The gods Palaniandavar (Muruga of Palani) and Angarakan (Moolavar, or the stone image of Mars) are located close to the eastern Gopuram (tower).
It is a special place where ambal appeared as Thaiyal Nayagi as a healer to bring salve, panacea and soil under the Vilva tree. In this temple, Vaitheeshwara Swamy and his consort stand together with herbal ointment and present to the devotees.
LORD SHIVA APPEARED AS A DOCTOR FOR HIS SON (SUBRAMANYAN)
After defeating the Asura Surapadman, Subramanya’s army suffered serious casualties in the battle. The injuries were healed when Lord Shiva appeared as the healer Vaitheeswaran.
LORD SHIVA CURES ANGARAKA’S LEPROSY
The temple is known as “Angarakan Navagrahasthalam”. According to appar, this is the location where Vaidyanatha Swamy (Lord Shiva) healed Planet Mars when he was once afflicted with leprosy. He therefore settled at Vaitheeswaran Kovil, where he became known as “Vaitheeshwaran,” and he healed every illness that the people who prayed to him had.
JATAYU KUNDAM
When Ravana kidnapped Sita, Jatayu bravely battled to free her. Jatayu heard Sita’s scream for assistance as Ravana was carrying her away to Lanka in the airborne Pushpak Vimana and hurried to save her. Ravana beat Jatayu, who was extremely old, and severed his wings. While looking for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana stumbled upon the ill and dying Jatayu. Jatayu told them about the combat and the direction that Ravana had gone south. Within the Vaitheeswaran Kovil complex is a pond known as Jatayu Kundam, and it was Rama who performed the bird’s cremation.
LORD SHIVA CURES THIRUNAVUKARASAR’S SEVERE STOMACH ACHE
When Thirunavukkarasar was suffering from severe stomach pain, he prayed to Vaidyanathan to get rid of it, and he got up and got rid of it.
STHALAVRUKSHAM
The healing Neem tree, known as the Sthala Vruksham (temple tree), is seen from the outside Praharam (circumambulatory route). It is believed that this tree has existed in various forms since the Kritayuga. During the Kritayuga, it was the Kadamba tree; during the Tretayuga, it was the Vilva tree; during the Dwaparayuga, it was the Vakula tree; and in the Kaliyuga of today, it is the Neem tree.
NADI ASTROLOGY
The origins of Nadi or Palm Leaf Astrology are credited to Vaitheeswaran Kovil.
Every Nadi, or set of leaves, is composed of palm leaves that have been inscribed with an ezhuthani, a pointed tool that resembles a nail. It is said that these palm leaves contain a record of every human life that has ever existed, is currently alive, and will someday be born. These prophecies are attributed to Agathiyar, a Tamil scholar who is reputed to have received insights from God.
CHEVVAI DOSAM REMEDY
Chevvai Dosham is caused by Angaraka’s or Chevvai’s unfavourable horoscope position.
Parihara Poojas are offered to Angaraka or Chevvai in order to cure Chevvai Dosham. The greatest treatment for Chevvai Dosham is to worship Chevvai at Vaitheeswaran Kovil and perform Angaraka Pooja, which helps to counteract the harmful effects of Angaraka. Here, devotees present Bengal gramme, or kadalai paruppu, and crimson cloth to Chevvai.
Tuesdays are considered to be the dedicated day for the worship of Angaraka.
SIDDHAMRUTHA THEERTHAM
The holy waters of the Siddhamrutha Theertham, the huge temple tank of Vaitheeswaran Kovil contains nectar
A holy plunge at Siddhamrutha Theertham, which is filled with holy water and blended with remedies in the shape of leaves, is said to cure all ailments. Siddhamrutha Theertham’s holy water is said to have healing qualities for a variety of skin conditions.
THIRUCHANDU URUNDAI PRASADAM
The unique Thiruchandu Urundai Prasadam is prepared using holy ash gathered from the Homa Kundam (holy fire), Neem bark powder, and medicinal clay recovered from the temple pond.
PADAL PETRA STALAM
Tevaram chants by the saint poets Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar are sung in reverence at the shrine.
