Vaitheeswaran Koil or Pullirukkuvelur is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the nine Navagraha temples and is associated with the planet or Mars Angaraka.
Shrine’s History
During the Ramayana period, Rama, Lakshmana and Saptarishi have worshipped the deity in this place. There is a pond at this temple called Jatayu kundam . One of the nine planets, Angaraka , suffered from leprosy and was cured by Vaidhyanathaswamy and from then on it is treated as one of the Navagraha Temples for planet Angaraka.Parvati, the consort of Shiva, asked her son, Subramanya to appear with one face from his regular appearance of six faces. When he did so, she was pleased and presented him with vel to slay the demons. Subramanya overcame the asura Surapadman and in the war, his army was severely injured. Shiva came out as the healer Vaitheeswaran and cured the wounds.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The temple has a five-tiered gopuram and large precincts. The central shrine is that of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam in the innermost sanctum. The first precinct around the sanctum has the metal image of Subramanya, worshipped here as Muthukumara Swamy. The other metal images in the sanctum are of Nataraja, Somaskanda, Angaraka and stone sculptures of Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, Surya, 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 precinct leads to the temple tank and directly faces the Thaiyalnayaki shrine. The Sthala Vriksha is margosa which possesses medicinal properties.It is located at the eastern gateway of the temple. The eastern gateway also has the shrine of Adi temple that has a smaller replica of the main shrines. There is a fine metal image of Gangavisarjanar inside the temple. Inscriptions The shrine of Vinayagar near the temple tank The temple has five inscriptions mainly belonging to the period of Kulothunga Chola I .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 was 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 corresponding to 1689 CE. On the floor near accountant’s seat registers a deed granted by Sankarabaragiri Rengopanditar by Ambalavanatambiran, an agent of the temple.The Easter gateway inscription indicates the gift of taxes from Manipallam in Tiruvalipparu.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Bus facility is available from Sirkali and Mayiladuthurai.
By Rail
Kumbakonam railway station is the nearest railhead. The Mysore Express train passes through Mayiladuthurai from Mysore via Bangalore, Salem, Erode, Trichy, Tanjore and Kumbakonam.
By Air
Tiruchirapalli Airport or Trichy Airport is the nearest domestic airport. The nearest international airport is the Chennai International Airport.
Shrine Timings
6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Thirukalyanam festival,Shivaratri
Extra Information About this Shrine
Vaitheeswaran Koil Medical properties
The ashes here referred as Thiruchandu Urundal, which acts as a medicine for skin diseases. This ash will be collected from Homa Kundam. Another medicine is made out Chandan Sandalwood powder and is mixed with saffron. As Chevvai represents in Red Color, Devotees should offer him Thoor Dal and Red Arali flowers during pooja. Besides this, Pepper and Salt with Jaggery are offered in the Siddhamritam to get rid of diseases. Tuesdays are preferred to worship Angarakan. One worship’s Angakaran here, by fasting for 21 Tuesday’s, the unlucky influence of Tuesday will be cleared.
