Vaitheeswaran Kovil

Vaitheeswaran Kovil

Padal Petra Sthalam, Nagapattinam District

God

Vaitheeswarar, facing west

Goddess

Thayyalnayagi, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Gajalakshmi, Nataraja, Kailasanadar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Viswanathar, Sahasralingam, Navagrahas, 63 Nayanmars, Somaskanda, Angaraka, Jatayu, Surya

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is a large temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram and an important temple tank inside. The five Gopurams of the temple are in a straight line. The Shivalingam is made of Maragatham (Emerald). There are two flag posts-Kodimaram before the presiding deity covered with silver and gold. Navagrahas are found behind the Sanctum Sanctorum in a straight line. Vaitheeswaran Kovil is one of the Navagraha shrines and represents Chevvaai (Mars).

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sidhamirdha Theertham and 18 other Theerthams

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vembu (Neem – Azadirachta indica)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Vaitheeswaran Kovil. Vaitheeswaran Kovil has several stone inscriptions mainly belonging to the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120 CE). Arunagirinathar, Kumara Guruparar, Chidambara Munivar, Ramalinga Adigal, Padikkasu Thambiran, Kalamega Pulavar have also visited Vaitheeswaran Kovil and sung in praise of the gods.

Legend

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is also known as Pullirukkuvelur – Pul means Bird (Jatayu), Irukku (the Rig Veda), Vel (Lord Muruga) and Oor (the Place).  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. Jatayu, in Ramayana, was killed while trying to prevent Ravana from abducting Sita. As requested by him, Rama is believed to have performed the last rites for him in the Vibuthi Gundam here at Vaitheeswaran Kovil.  A king, Veerasenan is said to have come here with his son suffering from tuberculosis. A bath in the temple tank and consumption of the Prasadam here are believed to have cured him. Vaitheeswaran Kovil is regarded as a religious medical center having cured the ailments of many people and the town is also famous for Naadi Josiyam (a form of Astrology).

Directions

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is about 7 Kilometers from Sirkazhi as you proceed towards Mayiladuthurai.

Stay and Food

Vaitheeswaran Kovil has a few restaurants where you can get a simple meal and a resort for stay and food.

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