Vaidyanatha Swami Temple,
Vaitheeswaran Koil – Legends
The place is also known as
Pullirukkuvelur. Pul means Bird-here the eagle king Jatayu, the noblest
character in Ramayana in the service of Lord Sri Rama, Irukku the Rig Veda,
Vel-Lord Muruga and Oor the place make the name Pul Irukku Vel Oor = Pullirukkuvelur.
Angarakan, Son of Lord Shiva:
As per local legend, Shiva was
doing penance at mount Meru when a drop of water fell from his forehead which
turned into a beautiful child. Bhoodevi brought up the child, who went on to
become a staunch devotee of Shiva. Pleased by the devotion, Shiva turned him to
a planet. Based on his colour, Angarakan (Mars) is usually clad with red
coloured cloth.
One of the nine planets,
Angarakan (Mars), suffered from leprosy and was cured by Vaidyanatha
Swamy and from then on it is treated as one of the Navagraha Temples for planet Angarakan. Angarakan was cured of his leprosy
after a dip in the holy water here.
Temple Tank:
The Temple Tank is known as
Goksheera Theertham (Go means cow and Ksheera means milk) as Kamdhenu’s milk
flowed into this tank when the holy cow performed Abhishek to the deity here
with her milk. The water tastes sweet like cane juice and hence known as
Ikshusara Theertham.
Headquarters of Medical Science:
The place is the headquarters of
medical science that offers cure for 4448 diseases, it is said.
Veerasenan Son was cured of Tuberculosis here:
A king, Veerasenan by name came
here with his son suffering from tuberculosis, bathed in the Theertha and
offered sweet nivedhanas. He consumed the nivedhana with his son. His son was
cured completely.
Chella Muthukumaraswami:
As a beloved son of Lord Vaidyanatha and Mother
Thaiyal Nayaki, Lord Muruga in the temple is praised as Chella Muthukumaraswami
– Chella-beloved. Lord Muruga enjoys all prominence in the temple. Hence
all festivals are dedicated to him. Pujas to Lord and Mother are offered only
after pujas to Lord Muruga.
Lord Shiva cured Tirunavukkarasar’s Stomach pain here:
Tirunavukkarasar was suffering
from severe stomach pain. At time, his sister told him to pray Lord Vaidyanatha
Swamy. Then he prayed and got cured by Lord Shiva. He also became a great
devotee of Lord Shiva and sung many songs for Lord Shiva.
No Snake & Frog comes near the Temple Tank:
Many Siddhas in days of yore
performed abishek to Lord of this place with nectar and gained many boons. The
nectar used for the abishek mixed with the holy spring. 18 Theerthas are mixed
in this tank which cures all diseases people suffer from. When Sage Sadananda
was performing penance here, he saw a snake trying to devour a frog. As the
incident disturbed his penance, he cursed them. Since then, no snake or frog
comes near this tank.
Daksha had his head and body joined together here:
Daksha had his head and body
joined together after Siva punished him for his disrespect after taking bath in
the Temple tank.
Kothanda / Rama Theertham:
When Sri Rama was living in the
forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, they came here and offered
prayers to their ancestors. Hence this Theertham is known as Kothanda / Rama
Theertham.
Jatayu Kundam:
Jatayu, the eagle king, engaged
in the service of Lord Rama was killed when he prevented Ravana from abducting
Mother Sita. As requested by him, Sri Rama performed the last rites for the
bird in the Vibuthi Gundam here. There are niches of Rama, Lakshmana and
Vishwamitra, Vasishtha and Jatayu near the Theertham.
Lord Muruga got his Vel weapon here:
Parvati, the consort of Shiva,
asked her son, Subramanya to appear with one face from his regular
appearance of six faces. When he did so, she was pleased and presented him
with vel (a weapon) to slay the demons. Subramanya overcame
the asura Surapadman (a demon) and in the war, his army was severely
injured. Shiva came out as the healer Vaitheeswaran and cured the wounds. Before
waging war against the demon Padmasura, Lord Subramanya was blessed by Lord
Shiva and goddess Parvathi here by offering bouquet and this festival is being
celebrated every year in the name Skanda Sashti.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Sapta
Rishis (Seven important saints) have worshipped the deity in this place during
Ramayana period. Also, Suryan, Sambathi, Brahma, Saraswathi, Durga,
Parasarar, Durvasa and Siva Sharma worshipped Lord Shiva here.