Vaidyanatha Swami Temple, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Nagapattinam
Vaidyanatha Swami Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Vaitheeswaran Koil near Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Vaidyanatha Swami Temple is also called as Pullirukkuvelur. Presiding Deity is called as Vaitheeswaran / Vaidyanathar and Mother is called as Thaiyalnayaki. The Lord Vaidyanatha and Thaiyal Nayagi are the family God (Kula Dheivam) for Kshatriya Community (Vanniyakula Kshatriyas) of South India. This shrine is known under several names like Lalayapuri, Vedapuri, Panarapuri, Pathiripuri, Angarakapuram and Ambikapuram.
The village is also known for palm leaf astrology called Naadi astrology in Tamil. The Veera Raghava Swamy Temple at Thiruvallur is considered as the Vaishnavite temple equivalent of healing abilities of the presiding deity to that of the Saivite Vaitheeswaran Kovil. The holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex contains nectar, and a holy dip is believed to cure all diseases.
The temple is revered by the Devaram hymns of 7th Century Saiva Nayanmars -Tamil saint poets and is also classified as a Padal Petra Sthalam (temple revered by the Nayanmars). Appar and Sambandar had sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this Temple. This is the 70th Devaram Padal Petra ShivaSthalam and 16th Sthalam on the North side of River Cauvery inChozha Naadu. Lord Muruga of this Temple had been praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh Hymns.
It is one of the nine Navagraha (nine planets) temples of Tamil Nadu associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka). Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu are;
Legends
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History
The Temple received royal patronage from various rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu like Kulothunga Chola, Vikrama Chola, Vira Rajendra Pandya, Achuthappa Nayak (1560 - 1614 AD) and Maratha prince Thulaja. The temple is maintained by Dharmapuram Aadheenam, a Saivite mutt or monastic institution located in the town of Mayiladuthurai, India. As of 1987, there were a total of 27 Shiva temples under the control of the Aadheenam.
The Temple
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Inscriptions
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Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Brahmotsavam (annual festival) is celebrated during the Tamil calendar months of Panguni and Thai (January–February). A 10-day festival is celebrated in January-February beginning from Tuesday. 28-day Panguni Brahmotsavam is celebrated in March-April. Karthigai festival during November is also celebrated with pomp and glory. Kantha Sashti, a festive occasion for Subramanya, is celebrated in the shrine of Muthu Kumaraswamy. Vaikasi Mannabishekam, Mandalabishegam and monthly Kruthikas are grandly celebrated in the temple. The temple will be overflowing with devotee crowd on monthly Pradosha days. Deepavali, Makara Sankranti, Tamil and English New Year Days are also celebrated in the temple with special pujas, abishekam etc.
Religious Significance
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Worship Practices & Prayers
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Literary Mention
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Nadi Astrology
The temple is also known for palm leaf astrology called Nadi astrology in Tamil. Nadi astrology, is a form of Hindu astrology practiced around the temple. It is based on the belief that the past, present and the future lives of all humans were foreseen by Hindu sages in ancient time. The texts are mainly written in Vatteluttu, which is an ancient Tamil script. There are different schools of thought as to the author of these leaves. They are believed to be written by a Tamil sage called Agasthiyar who is said to have had divine revelations.
These Nadi leaves were initially stored in the premises of Tanjore Saraswathi Mahal Library of Tamil Nadu. The British rulers later showed interest in the Nadi leaves concerned with herbs and medicine and future prediction, but ironically left most of the leaves to their loyal people. Some leaves got destroyed and the remaining was auctioned during the British rule. These leaves were obtained and possessed by the families of astrologers in Vaitheeswaran temple and were passed down the years from one generation to the other.
Contact
Vaidyanatha Swami Temple,
Vaitheeswaran Koil – 609 117,
Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91 4364 279 423
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Vaitheeswaran Koil Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil Railway Station, 8 Kms from Sirkazhi, 15 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 18 Kms from Mayiladuthurai Junction Railway Station, 30 Kms from Chidambaram, 51 Kms from Kumbakonam, 63 Kms from Nagapattinam, 90 Kms from Thanjavur, 135 Kms from Trichy, 143 Kms from Trichy Airport, 237 Kms from Chennai Airport and 245 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is situated on the way to Mayiladuthurai from Chidambaram, close to Sirkazhi Town. There are frequent buses to this place from Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam. There is a Railway station which is located between Chennai to Mayiladuthurai railway road.