Vaitheeswaran Koil

Vaitheeswaran Koil is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva worshipped as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran. It is located near Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu. As the name suggests, Vaidyanathar means the “God of healing” who is believed to cure diseases. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples specifically for planet Mars (Angaraka/Chevvai). It is classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam glorified in the ancient tamil canonical work by the Nayanars. This temple town is popularly known for palm leaf astrology (Naadi astrology in Tamil).

As per legend, Angaraka(Chevvai) was born from a drop of sweat that fell from the forehead of Lord Shiva during his meditation. Angaraka suffered with a skin disease which was cured by Lord Shiva completely and hence the name Vaitheeswaran (Vaithya-doctor and Eswaran-Lord Shiva).

A dip in the holy Siddhamirtham temple tank water containing nectar is believed to cure all diseases. Worshipping Vaitheeswaran at this temple strengthens the marital bond and brings relief from debts, poverty, financial problems, skin diseases, poor eyesight and adverse planetary effects. A medicinal ball made of anthill sand, abishekam water, neem leaves, abishekam sandal and sacred ash is offered at the temple for consumption to bring total relief from any disease. Devotees get punugu oil and apply it on their body for relief from skin ailments. Dissolving jaggery in the temple water is believed to cure skin diseases.

The different practices of the devotees at the temple include lighting rice flour lamps (maavilakku in tamil), tonsuring children to promote growth, dissolving jaggery in the temple water.

Temple Timings:

06:00 AM to 12:00 PM

04:00 PM to 08:30 PM

Pooja details:

• Booking has to be done atleast 7 days in advance.
• Demand draft or Money Order in favour of “The Executive Officer, Velur Sri Vaithiyanathaswamy Devasthanam” can be sent to the Temple address.
• Enclose a requisition letter with the name, address, birth Star, pooja details written in tamil or English in block letters.

Temple Address:

Arulmigu Vaidhyanathar Temple, Vaitheeswaran Kovil, Vaitheeswaran Kovil post, Srirkali Taluk,
Nagapattinam District – 609117, Tamil Nadu.

How to reach Vaitheeswaran Koil:

By Air:

The nearest airports to the temple are Trichy airport and Pondicherry airport at a distance of 95 km and 140 km respectively.

By Rail:

The town of Vaitheeswaran Koil has its own railway station. Other railway stations that can be easily accessed are Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram and Kumbakonam at 18 km, 26 km and 50 km respectively.

By Road:

Adequate buses are available from Chidambaram, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai.

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