Sri Vaidyanathar Temple, Pullirukkuvelur (Vaitheeswaran Kovil), Sirkazhi - 275 Shiva Temples

16. Sri Vaidyanathar Temple, TiruPullirukkuvelur, Vaitheeswaran Kovil (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Vaidhyanathar
Name of Goddess : Sri Thaiyal nayagi
Holy water (Theertham) : Siddhamirtham.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Vembu (Neem tree).
Thevaram : Thirunavukarasar ; Sambandar
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Sirkazhi.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m.

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This is the 16th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple. Vaitheeswaran Temple or Pullirukkuvelur is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the "God of healing" and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. It is one of the nine Navagraha (nine planets) temples associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka). The village is also known for palm leaf astrology called Naadi astrology in Tamil. It is located 7 kilometer from Sirkali , 235 kilometer from Chennai, 27 km from Chidambaram, 110 km from Thanjavur and 16 km from Mayiladuthurai. 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 Tevaram hymns of 7th century Saiva nayanars - Tamil saint poets and is also classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam (temple revered by the nayanars). The temple has a 5-tier gopuram (temple tower) and large precincts. The central shrine is that of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam in the inner most sanctum. The first precinct around the sanctum has the metal image of Subramanya, worhsipped here as Muthukumara Swamy. The other metal images in the sanctum are of Nataraja, Somaskanda, Angaraka and stone sculptures of Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, Surya (Sun god), Jatayu, Vedas, Sampati. The shrine of Thaiyalnayaki who stands with the medicinal oil to cure the diseases of the devotees is present in the second precinct facing south. The large precinct also has a small shrine to Dhanvantari and shrine of Angaraka in stone sculpture. The southern gateway from this precint leads to the temple tank and directly faces the Thaiyalnayaki shrine. The Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is margosa (Azadirachta indica) which possesses medicinal properties. It is located in the eastern gateway of the temple. The eastern gateway also has the shrine of Adi (original) temple that has a smaller replica of the main shrines. There is a fine metal image of Gangavisarjanar inside the temple.

The temple has five inscriptions mainly belonging to the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120 CE). The inscription on the steps of Subramanya shrine records the shutter of the sluice at Sattainathapuram measures 35 inches in length and 8 inches in breadth. The one on the right of the temple tank indicates the tank, Nachiyar shrine, and its hall were completely renovated when Kanderayar was governing the Sigali Simai, and during the management of the temple by Muthukumaraswami Tambiran, a disciple of Sivagnanadesikar-Sambandar of the Dharmapuram Adheenam. On the wall of the second precinct, the inscriptions state that the courtyard of Thayalnayagi shrine, the sacred steps and Tattisuri hall were built during Tamil year 4868 correspoding to 1689 CE.
Devotees take a holy dip in the temple tank before worshipping Vaitheeswaran in the temple. It is also a local belief that dissolving jaggery (Tamil:vellam) in the waters cures skin diseases. Tonsure ceremony of getting children shaved for the first time to promote proper growth is a very common practice. Mavilaku ma (litting lamp in rice cakes) is a form of worship practiced. The practise of jamming salt and pepper in front of the temple mast and the pot near the temple tank is also followed. The holy soil rounded with ash (called Thiruchandu Urundai) is treated as medicine and believed to cure all the diseases. Another medicine given is chandan (sandalwood powder) with saffron. Devotees also donate carved silver plated body organs in the Hundi (vessel for offering) to cure the diseases.

10 day Thai month festival from Tuesday dedicated to Lord Selva Muthukuraswami (Muruga) with daily procession in January-February; 28 day Panguni Brahmmotsavam with abishek to Panchamurthi and procession; 6 day Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November; Vaikasi Mannabishek, Mandalabishek and monthly Kruthikas are grandly celebrated in the temple. The temple will be overflowing with devotee crowd on monthly Pradosha days. Deepavali, Makar Sankranthi, Tamil and English New Year Days are also celebrated in the temple with special pujas, abishek etc.

History / Legend:

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi in the temple. The five towers – Gopurams of the temple are on a straight line. The Maragatha Linga (Emerald Linga) is very famous. There are two flag posts-Kodimaram before the presiding deity made of silver and gold. Navagrahas the nine planets are generally in the front side of the sanctum facing different directions in Shiva temples. Here they are behind the sanctum on a straight line obeying the presiding Lord blessing the devotees freeing them of their adverse aspects, it is believed.

Devotees from all parts of South India throng the temple as Lord Vaidyanatha is the the Kula Devatha of many families. People pray here for remedy from various ailments, boils, pimples and scars. They get the special oil from the temple and apply them on the body. As this is the place where Danvantri Siddha attained Samadhi, people pray here for relief from various ailments.

Also the sandal and sacred ash used in the Arthajama puja for Lord Muruga – Lord Selva Muthukumarswami, offered to devotees as Prasad is an effective medicine as experienced by devotees. Praying to Lord Vaidyanatha brings mental peace and relief from hardships. People pray here for employment opportunities, progress in trade and profession, promotions, wedding and child boons and relief from adverse planetary aspects. Many consume the medicine offered in the temple.

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.

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 = Puulirukkuvelur.

The place is the headquarters of medical science that offers cure for 4448 diseases, it is said. A medicine ball is made of the anthill sand, abishek water, veppilai the neem leaves and abishek sandal and abishek sacred ash. Consuming this brings total relief for any disease. Those suffering from skin problems get the punugu oil, apply it on their body for relief. Lord Vaidyanatha cures not only the physical pains of the people but also cures them from the recurring disease of births and deaths. He grants every wish of the people, jobs, wedding, children, mental peace, relief from planetary problems etc. According to scriptures, worshipping Lord facing west brings the devotee the benefit of worshipping in 1000 Shiva temples. Both Lord Aadhi Vaidyanatha in the entrance of the temple and the presiding deity Vaidyanatha are facing west. Lord Muruga got His Vel weapon from this place only. Lord Sri Rama worshipped here.

The place of Mars-Sevvai in the horoscope of a person decides his/her wedding prospectus and other living conditions. Mars covers 7 years in one’s life. For those facing adverse effects, special pujas are performed for solution of their problems. People pray to Angaraka-Sevvai-Mars for success in land deals, freedom from debt burdens and joint pains in the body. People do the prayers on Kruthika star days and Tuesdays undertaking fasting and performing abisheks offering clothing in red.

Jatayu Kundam-pit: Jatayu the eagle 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. A king, Veerasenan by name came here with his son suffering from tuberclosis, bathed in the theertha and offered sweet nivedhanas. He consumed the nivedhana with his son. His son was cured completely.

As a beloved son of Lord Vaidyanatha and Mother Thaiyal Nayaki, Lord Muruga in the temple is praised as Chella Muthukumaraswami – Chella-beloved. The Prasad containing items used in the Arthajama Puja as described above is an effective medicine for various diseases devotees suffer from. 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. A 10 day festival is celebrated in January-February beginning from Tuesday. 28 day Panguni Brahmmotsavam is celebrated in March-April. Of the Navagrahas (9 planets) importance temples in the state, this belongs to Mars-Angaraka. Lord Muruga is facing west. A medicine prepared with sacred ash, anthill sand and oil is an effective medicine for leprosy.

Lord Muruga is always worshipping His divine Father and Mother in the temple. While the Navagrahas are generally seen in the front side of the sanctum sanctorum, they are behind the presiding deity here. Lord Rama had worshipped in this temple. Mother Thaiyal Nayaki ensures the welfare of the children. Planet Angaraka-Mars blesses the devotees on his Goat Vahan on Tuesdays. Medical students pray here to pass their exams with distinction.

Location: 270 Kms from Chennai by road. Bus services To vaitheeswarankoil are available from Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai etc. This is one of the Navagraha Shalam and has a seprate shrine for Mars. Another Paadal Petra Sthalam Tirupunkur is located nearby (3 Kms from here).