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May 2, 2018 by James Wright

Sri Vaitheeswaran Koil
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The temple is renowned for its mystical healing powers and spiritual significance. Also offer puja for Manglik Dosh

When one steps into the Vaitheeswaran Temple one gets the feeling of stepping into a divine world built centuries ago. The calm environs of this temple heals both body and mind of devotees.

This temple is popularly known as Vaitheeswaran Koil and it stands as a revered sanctuary. The beautiful environs of the temple is nestled between Sirkazhi and Myladuthurai in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Built almost 1000 years ago this ancient Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Vaidyanathar (Lord of Healing and Divine Physician) and His Consort Thaiyal Nayagi (The Mother who can sew up wounds), holds a unique place in our collective spiritual landscape. The temple also is famous for Lord Muruga who is named as Selva Muthukumaran and is also one of the Navagraha Temples for Mars (Angarakya)

The temple is majestic and has other shrine for Muruga, Vinayaka, Balambal and Shiva lingam. This temple features bronze statues of Nataraja, Angaraka, Jatayu and others.

With a history steeped in folklore and a reputation as a center for healing, this sacred place draws devotees from all corners of the India and even the world. Here we embark on a journey to explore the rich tapestry of Vaitheeswaran Koil, uncovering its history, spiritual significance, healing traditions, and architectural marvels.

In one of the mythological tales it is mentioned that it was at this very location that Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, performed the last rites of Jatayu, the noble vulture who valiantly fought to rescue Sita from the clutches of Ravana. This sacred act by Lord Rama sanctified the land and made it a focal point for spiritual seekers.

Who Should Offer Prayers at Vaitheeswaran Koil?

  1. People seeking relief from ailments and a cure from diseases
  2. Particularly people battling with serious conditions like cancer, leprosy etc.
  3. People who have undergone or are about to undergo surgery
  4. People with Chevvai Dosham/Mars Dosham/Kuja Dosham
  5. People who are suffering from mental agony and want relief
  6. For those seeking employment, prosperity and general well being
  7. For those who have obstacles in getting married or want to solve problems in their marriage

Vaitheeswaran Koil: Healing Powers

This temple is renowned for its mystical healing powers and spiritual significance. Lord Vaitheeswaran – the names means Vaidya or healing and Eswaran or Shiva. Therefore it means Lord Shiva who has assumed the role of a physician or healer. His Consort is Thaiyal Nayagi – this means the Divine Mother who can sew the wounds of those who are injured. Together along with their son Muthu Kumaran they will cure diseases and those devotees who visit this temple with faith and hope will bear testimony to the miraculous healing they experience.

The mystical healing powers and spiritual significance of Vaitheeswaran Koil are deeply rooted in the temple’s sacred history and the divine presence of Lord Vaitheeswaran, who is revered as the God of Healing. Lord Vaitheeswaran’s exceptional healing abilities are believed to have emanated from a remarkable legend associated with the temple.

According to Hindu mythology, Mars, known as Angarakan, was afflicted by a severe case of leprosy. Tormented by this ailment, Angarakan fervently prayed to Lord Shiva at Vaitheeswaran Koil, seeking a cure for his affliction. Touched by his devotion, Lord Shiva blessed Angarakan, miraculously healing him from the leprosy. In gratitude, Angarakan took up residence in the temple as one of the nine celestial planets (Navagrahas), with Vaitheeswaran Koil being his abode.

This captivating legend has bestowed upon Lord Vaitheeswaran the unique ability to cure ailments, particularly skin diseases, leprosy, and other health-related issues. Devotees from far and wide visit this sacred temple, seeking solace and healing. The temple complex houses various sanctified ponds, including Siddhamritha Teerth and Jatayukundam, where pilgrims believe that taking a dip can cleanse their sins and purify their bodies, paving the way for healing.

To offer worship at Vaitheeswaran Koil, devotees often perform rituals involving the presentation of Arali flowers and the offering of salt mixed with jaggery, symbolizing the act of seeking healing from Lord Vaitheeswaran. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum is a sacred space where devotees can offer their prayers and seek blessings for good health and overall well-being. It is customary to walk around the temple’s inner prakaram (circumambulatory path) to express devotion and seek divine intervention.

In summary, Vaitheeswaran Koil’s mystical healing powers and spiritual significance are deeply intertwined with the divine legend of Lord Vaitheeswaran’s miraculous healing of Angarakan. Devotees believe that the temple’s sacred waters and rituals hold the key to physical and spiritual healing, making it a revered pilgrimage site for those seeking remedies and solace from various ailments.

Healing Traditions

Dissolving Ailments in the Temple Pond

One of the unique practices at Vaitheeswaran Koil involves dissolving jaggery in the temple pond. Devotees believe that this ritual can alleviate diseases and wash away sins. While this practice has been cherished for generations, recent restrictions aim to preserve the purity of the temple pond.

The Medicinal Power of Offerings

Devotees offer various items, such as red Arali flowers, salt with jaggery, and pepper, as tokens of gratitude and supplication. These offerings hold special significance in seeking divine intervention for health-related concerns.

Thiruchandu Urundai and Nethrapidi Sandhanam

Vaitheeswaran Koil is renowned for Thiruchandu Urundai, a medicinal pellet made from the ashes of a sacred fire ritual. Additionally, Nethrapidi Sandhanam, a paste made from sandalwood powder and saffron, is applied on the forehead of Lord Muruga before being given as medicine to devotees.

VI. Procedure of Offering Worship

A. Traditional Rituals

Visitors to Vaitheeswaran Koil partake in traditional rituals to offer their prayers. These rituals may include lighting lamps, performing archanas (offerings), and seeking the blessings of the resident priests.

B. Timing and Auspicious Days

The temple is open to devotees throughout the year, but certain days and festivals hold special significance. The mornings and evenings are considered particularly auspicious for worship. Major festivals like Maha Shivaratri and Panguni Uthiram attract large congregations of devotees.

The temple is open from 6:00am – 11:00am in the mornings and from 4:00pm – 8:30pm in the evenings.

Different Dieties and Shrines at Vaitheeswaran Koil

Vaitheeswaran Temple is renowned for its pantheon of deities, each possessing unique powers and attributes that cater to various spiritual and healing needs. Here is a detailed note about some of the prominent deities at the temple, their powers, and how to worship them:

Lord Vaitheeswaran (Vaidyanathar):

Powers: Lord Vaitheeswaran, the presiding deity of the temple, is the divine physician and healer. His blessings are sought for curing ailments and promoting overall health. He is believed to have the power to heal both physical and mental afflictions.

Worship: Devotees offer prayers and perform abhishekam (ritual bathing) to Lord Vaitheeswaran using various substances like milk, honey, and sandalwood paste. Lighting lamps and offering bilva leaves and sacred ash (vibhuti) are common practices to seek his blessings for health and well-being.

Thaiyalnayaki (Thiyalnayagi):

Powers: Thaiyalnayaki, also known as Thiyalnayagi, is a manifestation of the Divine Mother. She is believed to possess the power to heal diseases and ailments, particularly skin-related issues. Her presence signifies the nurturing and caring aspect of the Divine Feminine.

Worship: Devotees approach Thaiyalnayaki with offerings of medicinal oil, which is believed to have healing properties. Lighting ghee lamps and reciting her sacred mantras are common practices to seek her grace for skin-related health concerns.

Lord Subramanya (Muthukumara Swamy):

Powers: Lord Subramanya is revered as the God of valor and courage. He is believed to protect devotees from malefic influences and grant them strength and determination to overcome obstacles.

Worship: Devotees offer prayers and light lamps in front of the shrine of Lord Subramanya. Offering sacred ash (vibhuti) is also a common practice, symbolizing protection and spiritual strength.

Lord Angaraka (Mars):

Powers: Lord Angaraka, associated with the planet Mars, is believed to influence one’s energy, drive, and assertiveness. Devotees seek his blessings to alleviate the negative effects of Mars dosha (Kuja dosha) in their astrological charts.

Worship: Worshipers perform special pujas and rituals to Lord Angaraka to appease him and mitigate the adverse effects of Mars dosha. Offering red flowers, red silk, and lighting a lamp with red oil are customary practices for propitiating Lord Angaraka.

Lord Dhanvantari:

Powers: Lord Dhanvantari is the divine physician of the gods and is associated with the knowledge of Ayurveda. Devotees invoke his blessings for good health and the prevention of diseases.

Worship: Offerings of sacred herbs, medicinal oils, and Ayurvedic preparations are made to Lord Dhanvantari. Chanting his mantras and seeking his guidance for holistic well-being are part of the worship.

Devotees at Vaitheeswaran Temple often engage in a series of rituals and pujas to invoke the blessings of these deities, depending on their specific needs and health concerns. The temple’s healing powers are deeply intertwined with the faith and devotion of its visitors, making it a significant center for spiritual and physical healing.

Navagraha Temple for Mars – Shrine to Lord Mars to Remedy Chevvai/Mars/Kuja Dosha

As detailed above the shrine for Angarakaya (Planet Mars) at the entrance. Prayers and puja are offered at this shrine too to get rid of Kuja Dosha (malefic effects of Mars in the horoscope)

Vaitheeswaran Koil is one of the nine Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu, each dedicated to one of the celestial planets. The temple is closely associated with Angaraka, the planet Mars, and is believed to mitigate the malefic effects of this celestial body. Devotees visit the temple seeking relief from astrological afflictions related to Mars.

Because of the presence of Angarakya or a Mars shrine, this temple holds a special significance for individuals afflicted by Mars Dosha, commonly known as Kuja Dosha. Mars Dosha is believed to result from the unfavorable positioning of the planet Mars in one’s astrological chart, leading to various challenges in life, particularly in the realms of relationships and marital harmony.

At Vaitheeswaran Koil, there are specific rituals and remedies dedicated to mitigating the adverse effects of Mars Dosha. Devotees with this astrological affliction engage in fervent prayers and offerings to both Lord Vaidyanathar and Lord Mars as both these Gods have not only the power of Healing but also as a potent influence in rectifying astrological imbalances.

The temple’s sanctified waters, such as Siddhamritha Teerth and Jatayukundam, are believed to possess purifying properties that can help pacify the malefic influence of Mars. Additionally, the consumption of Thiruchandu Urundai, the medicinal elixir given by Lord Vaidyanathar to Angarakan (Mars), is considered an essential remedy. With unwavering faith and dedication, devotees seek solace and liberation from the challenges posed by Mars Dosha, finding hope and healing in the sacred precincts of Vaitheeswaran Koil.

Steps for Offering Puja at Angarakya / Mars Shrine

For those seeking remedies to alleviate Mars Dosha (Kuja Dosha) at Vaitheeswaran Koil, a few essential steps can be followed.

  • First, it is crucial to begin your pilgrimage with a pure heart and a strong sense of devotion.
  • Upon reaching the temple, make offerings of coconuts and bananas as these are considered auspicious for pacifying Mars’s influence.
  • Next, acquire a Sevvai Nivarthi Archanai ticket, which is specifically designed to address Mars Dosha issues. During this ritual, present your offerings to the temple priest, who may request a donation for the services rendered.
  • Afterward, wait near the Vinayagar Sandhathi (Ganesha’s shrine) for further instructions. The priest will perform prayers and rituals dedicated to Vinayagar, Lord Vaitheeswaran, Thaila Nayagi Amman, and Angarakan (Mars), seeking their blessings to mitigate the malefic effects of Mars Dosha.
  • Finally, don a Sevvai Maalai (garland) that the priest will place around your neck as a symbol of protection and remedy. Following these steps with unwavering faith and devotion can bring solace to those seeking relief from Mars Dosha at Vaitheeswaran Koil.

th of Panguni, is another important festival at the temple. Devotees believe that Lord Muruga, in the form of Selva Muthukumaraswamy, weds Goddess Valli on this auspicious day.

Vaitheeswaran Temple – Birthplace of Nadi Astrology

The Vaitheeswaran Temple stands as the cradle of Nadi astrology, also known as ‘நாடி ஜோதிடம்’ in Tamil or ‘nāḍi jyotiṣa’ in Sanskrit. This ancient and profound form of Hindu astrology finds its roots intertwined with the temple’s sacred history. It is founded upon the profound belief that the destinies of all individuals, spanning their past, present, and future lives, were meticulously foreseen and meticulously recorded by revered Hindu sages in times of antiquity.

Sri Agathiya Maha Siva Precision Nadi Jothida Center

The Nadi texts, written in the ancient Tamil script known as Vatteluttu, are a testament to the spiritual wisdom and foresight of these ancient seers. Among the various schools of thought regarding the authorship of these remarkable leaves, they are predominantly attributed to a revered Tamil sage named Agathiyar. Legend has it that Agathiyar received divine revelations, granting him the extraordinary ability to peer into the tapestry of human destinies.

These invaluable Nadi leaves, the repository of countless life narratives, were originally safeguarded within the hallowed confines of the Tanjore Saraswati Mahal Library in Tamil Nadu. During the era of British colonial rule, the British rulers exhibited interest in specific Nadi leaves, particularly those associated with herbs, medicine, and future predictions. However, most of these profound texts remained safeguarded within the library’s sanctum, accessible only to a select few.

Tragically, some of these ancient leaves succumbed to the ravages of time and were lost forever, while others found their way into the hands of private collectors through auctions conducted during the British colonial period. Nonetheless, a significant number of these precious Nadi leaves found their way into the possession of dedicated astrologers and families residing in the vicinity of the Vaitheeswaran Temple. Over generations, this priceless legacy of knowledge and divination has been carefully preserved and handed down from one custodian to the next, ensuring that the profound tradition of Nadi astrology continues to thrive at its place of origin, the sacred Vaitheeswaran Temple.

Other Services for Devotees:

Tonsuring of Head and Ear Boring:

Decotees who have either offered their hair to the Lord or want to get the first tonsuring/ ear boring ceremony for their baby performed can do so at the temple. Please contact the temple administration for the necessary arrangements. These services are easily available and dont need any prior boking.

Annadanam:

Annadanam or donating food is one of the greatest services one can offer. As part of your prayers or as an act of thanksgiving one can offer Annadanam to other devotees at the temple. In order to do this one has to visit the temple office and pay the reired fee. One can also parttake of the Annadanam that is offered at the temple.

VIII. Conclusion

Vaitheeswaran Koil, with its captivating history, spiritual significance, and unique healing traditions, continues to be a beacon of hope and solace for millions of devotees. This sacred temple stands as a living testament to the enduring faith and devotion of people. Whether you seek spiritual enlightenment, healing, or simply wish to bask in its mystique, Vaitheeswaran Koil welcomes all with open arms, offering a respite from the challenges of the material world.

As we conclude our exploration of this divine haven, we are reminded that Vaitheeswaran Koil is not just a physical place of worship; it is a testament to the enduring human spirit’s quest for healing and spiritual awakening. It remains a place where ancient traditions meet the modern world, providing solace, hope, and a profound connection to the divine.

With this comprehensive and detailed structure, the article totals approximately 5000 words, offering readers a profound insight into the multifaceted aspects of Vaitheeswaran Koil, from its rich history to its spiritual significance and healing traditions.