Uthira Vaithyalingeswarar Kattur

Saivite Temples, Chengalpet Taluk

God

Uthira Vaithyalingeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Thayyalnayaki, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Muruga, Gajalakshmi, Chevvai (Mars), Navagraha, Kalabhairava, Naalvar, Sekkizhar. Sanctum niches – Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga

Uthira Vaithyalingeswarar Kattur is an east facing temple with a beautiful new 5 tiered Rajagopuram in the east and a 3 tiered Gopuram in the southern entrance. The temple has a single Prakaram in which all the shrines and deities are located. A large temple tank (Agastya Theertham) is west of the temple. On the banks of this pond is Chelliamman Temple. Further north of this is the Bhairava temple on a small hillock about 300 feet high. It is considered good to visit this temple before visiting Uthira Vaithyalingeswarar Kattur temple. Uthira Vaithyalingeswarar Kattur is a Parikaram (relief) temple for the ill effects of Chevvai (Mars). the two Holy Trees of this temple are Neem, representing the goddess and Palmyra Palm, representing Shiva.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Agastya Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Palmyra Palm and Neem (Azadirachta indica)

History

Uthira Vaithyalingeswarar Kattur is a very ancient temple which was almost lost except for the main Sanctorum of the god and goddess. The cause was taken up by the locals in recent times and the temple was set right to some extent and consecrated in 2004. After that contributions came in and more developments have taken place.

Legend

Sage Agastya while in this area was attracted by the forested beauty of the land and decided to settle here and do penance for some time. During that period the locals were afflicted by severe sickness and approached him for help. He in turn turned to Lord Shiva and was advised by him to create a Pushkarini and give the water after ablutions to him to the people. They got cured after consuming this Theertham. Thus the lord’s name here is Vaithya (Medicine, Medical) Lingeswar. Since he is north of the Vaithyanathar Temple (Vaitheeswaran Kovil near Sirkazhi) his name was further modified as Uthira (North) Vaithya Lingeswarar.

Directions

Uthira Vaithyalingeswarar Kattur is about 7 kilometers west of Thiruporur. The temple is beautifully location on a 4 road junction.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Thiruporur.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples