Vaitheeswaran

Vaitheeswaran means the Lord of Medicine in Tamil. It is believed that prayers to Lord Vaitheeswaran can help one find relief from their illnesses.

Vaitheeswaran temple is to Shiva. It is one of the nine Navagraha Temples where planet Mars (Angaraka) is worshipped. Vaitheeswaran Koil is approximately 22 kilometers from Chidambaram and 16 km from Mayiladuthurai.

It is a belief that a dip in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex can cure diseases.

The Lord is projected as a healer so much so that when Angaraka (Mars) – one of the Navagrahas- was ailing from leprosy, he sought refuge in the Lord Vaidhyanatha Swamy. God came as a Vaidya and cured Angaraka of his leprosy

Thirunavukkarasar who once experienced severe stomach pain prayed to Lord Vaidhyanatha Swamy to cure the illness, on his sister’s advice. He prayed ardently and his illness was relieved. From that day onwards, he was became a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

Vaitheeswaran Mahatyam

Lord Vaitheeswaran Swamy and his consort Thaiyalnayaki Ambal are believed to cure the sicknesses of devotees. The image of goddess standing with the medicinal oil symbolizes the grace to cure diseases of devotees. It is believed that even Rama, Lakshmana and Saptarishi have worshipped the Lord here.

Rama and his brother Lakshmana cremated the vulture king Jatayu here; the great vulture that fought Ravana most valiantly before succumbing when the Asura king abducted Sita.

There is a small shrine to Lord Dhanvantari. Lord Muruga here is known as Muthukumara Swamy.

In this temple the ashes (Thiruchandu Urundai) is given as prasadam and this is supposed to cure all diseases. It is prepared from the Homa Kundam. Another medicine given is chandan (sandalwood powder) with saffron. People come here to offer milagu (Pepper) and salt with jaggery in the Siddhamritam tank to pray for relief from diseases. They also donate carved silver plated body organs in the Hundi (vessel for offering) either as thanksgiving or request for cure from ailments.

Darshan, sevas and festivals

Annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated during Pankuni and Thai (Tamil months). Karthigai is also celebrated in pomp and glory. There a separate shrine for Lord Muthukumara Swamy where Sashti is celebrated.

One of the specialties of the temple is the Naadi Jothidam; a popular form of astrology. It is an ancient Indian method of recording data. By reading the writings on these leaves one can learn about one's past, identify the present and predict the future. It is said that thousands of years ago, the great sages of India had the power to look into the past and future of the entire universe. These predictions were written on palm leaves in an ancient Tamil script, which can be deciphered by expert Nadi astrologers. These are popular to this day and even foreigners check for their reading of Naadi.

There are a few stone inscriptions that relate to the period of the Chola kings of Tanjore and the early Maharatta kings.Tirujnana Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasu, Arunagirinathar, Vaduganta Desikar, Sivajnana Desikar, Kumaraguruparaswami, Padikkasu. Tambiran, Chidambara Muni, etc., are the well-known saints who visited and sang in praise of this shrine in the past.

This temple has extensive landed properties including over thousand acres of dry lands. It is a magnificent sight for the tourist and a devotional pilgrimage for the seeker. Either way it is a wonderful place to visit.