Sri Suddha Rathneshwarar – A doctor Deity and the Nephrologist Lord !!
Suffering from Kidney Ailments? Here is the Must Visit Temple for You!
There are many temples in India that offer some kind of a remedy to incurable health problems which doctors themselves find it tough to cure. Sri Akilandeshwari Sametha Suddha Rathneshwarar Temple is one such temple and it has been worshipped for getting cured of Kidney ailments.
Sri Suddha Rathneshwarar temple is one of the ancient Shiva temple located in a village called Ootathur in Trichy Dist., TamilNadu. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams and believed to have originally built in the 7th Century AD. The temple is said to have been renovated by the Great Chola King Raja Raja Chola and further been patronaged by his son Rajendra Chola and his grandson Rajadhiraja Chola.
The main god, Lord Shiva is seen in the form of Shiva Lingam made of the purest form of ruby (Suddha Manikam or Suddha Rathanam in Tamil) and hence the name Suddha Rathneshwarar – The Lord of Pure Gem. The rays of the Sun directly fall on the Lord on three days (12, 13 and 14) in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and for 3 minutes on the Vaikasi (May-June) Visakam day.
Another important aspect of this temple is the Brahmma Theertham. This is the Holy well or the spring that is found straight in front of the main sanctum. The Brahmma Theertham is believed to have been built by Lord Brahmma by taking the waters from all the Holy rivers of the world. The water of the Brahmma Theertham is perennial in source and even this village came to be known after this spring (Ootru – means Spring, hence Ootrathur, later transformed to Ootathur). The water from this holy well is taken for Abhishekam. This water is even said to have medicinal properties and is capable of curing several ailments and diseases. It is also believed that the King Raja Raja Chola also once been brought back to good health after sprinkling the Holy water of Brahmma Theertham.
The most important feature of this temple is Lord Natarajar. A separate sanctum for Lord Natarajar along with His consort Goddess Sivakami is found on the left side of the main sanctum sanctorum. The idol of Lord Natarajar is made up of the Panchanadhana Stone. Generally, idols are made from five different types of stones – Aalinga Nadhanam, Pancha Nadhanam, Singa Nadhanam, Yanai Nadhanam, and Yazhi Nadhanam. These different names are based on the sound emitted when a coin is stuck against these stones. In the case of Pancha Nadhanam, it emits a sound similar to the sacred OHM. Moreover, the Panchanadhana stone has the ability to absorb Sun rays. People who are suffering from Kidney related ailments worship Lord Natarajar of this temple. They garland this Natarajar with a garland that is made up of 45 small bundles of Vettiver (Khus Roots) and perform Abhishekam with the water of Brahma Theertham. This water is then collected and given to the concerned person. On consuming the water for 45 days by dipping the Vetti ver one on each day, the patients are relieved completely of their ailments.
Temple timings :
The temple remains open from 5 AM to 12.30PM and from 4 PM to 8.30PM. Daily Abhishekam to Lord Natarajar is done between 10 AM to 11 AM.
