Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 70th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - North |
Chola Naadu - North | 16th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
Vaitheeswaran
Kovil or Pullirukkuvelur is a Hindu temple dedicated
to the Shiva,
located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Shiva is worshipped as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran meaning the "God of
healing" and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure
diseases. Vaitheeswaran is a Tamil derivative from vaidya (Doctor) and Ishvara
(God/Master). The presiding deity is Sri vaidyanathan, facing towards West
whereas East side is the common one. He is the God of Healing. When pronouncing
in Tamil, it sounds like "vaideeswaran". It is one of the nine Navagraha (nine
planets) temples and is associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka).
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
holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex contains nectar,
and a holy dip is believed to cure all diseases.
Vaidhyanathaswamy:
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 (pot of Jatayu having holy ash of Vibhuti). One of
the nine planets, Angaraka (Mars), 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 (a weapon) to
slay the demons. Subramanya overcame the asura Surapadman
(a demon) and in the war, his army was severely injured. Shiva came out as the
healer Vaitheeswaran and cured the wounds.
Shiva came as Vaidya:
Shiva
came as Vaidya, a doctor, and cured the leprosy of a staunch devotee named
Angahara. Jatya, Rig Veda, Muruga and Surya were all believed to have worshipped Shiva
here. Murugan obtained a trident at
this place and is called Selvamuthu Kumaran.
Navagraha temples:
The
temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and is a part of the
popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state - it houses the image of Angaraka
(Mars). The planets are believed to influence the horoscope computed based
on time of one's birth and subsequently influence the course of life. Each of
the planets are believed to move from a star to another during a predefined
period and thus sway over an individual's fortunes. The Navagrahas, as per
Hindu customs, are believed to provide both good and bad effects for any
individual and the bad effects are mitigated by prayers. As in other Navagraha
temples, the common worship practises of the devotees include offering of
cloth, grains, flowers and jewels specific to the planet deity. Lighting a set
of lamps is also commonly followed in the temple. As per local legend, Shiva
was doing penance at mount Meru when a drop of water fell from his forehead
which turned into a beautiful child. Bhoomidevi brought up the child, who went
on to become a staunch devotee of Shiva. Pleased by the devotion, Shiva turned
him to a planet. Based on his colour, Angaraka (Mars) is usually clad with red
coloured cloth. Vaitheeswaran is believed to preside over Angarakan in the
temple. Along with Angarakan, Sambathi, Jatayu and Rig Veda are
believed to have worshipped Vaitheeswaran at this temple.
Nadi astrology:
Nadi astrology is
a form of Hindu astrology practiced around the temple. It is based on
the belief that the past, present and the future lives of all humans were
foreseen by Hindu sages in ancient time. The texts are mainly written in Vatteluttu,
which is an ancient Tamil script. There are different schools of thought as to
the author of these leaves. They are believed to be written by a Tamil sage
called Agathiyar who
is said to have had divine revelations. These Nadi leaves were initially stored
in the premises of Tanjore Saraswati
Mahal Library of Tamil Nadu. The British rulers later showed interest
in the Nadi leaves concerned with herbs and medicine and future prediction, but
left most of the leaves to their loyal people. Some leaves got destroyed and
the remaining were auctioned during the British rule. These leaves were
obtained and possessed by the families of astrologers in Vaitheeswaran temple
and were passed down the years from one generation to the other.
Saint Thirunavukkarasar and sambandar:
The
temple is revered by Tevaram hymns of saint poets Thirunavukkarasar and sambandar belonging
to the 7th century. The poets name the towns where they found the temple in
their hymns and Pullirukkuvelur finds a mention in their verses, corresponding
to the temple. The hymns appear to recognise the function of the mantras (sacred
text) as invocation of Shiva. In addition the hymns from Thirunavukkarasar
liken Shiva to luminous objects - a flame, a pearl, a diamond and pure
gold. He also indicates wasting lot of days not worshipping Shiva at this
temple.
Those
who have no perception of the golden feet of deity in Puḷḷirukku Vēḷūr on whose
matted hairs cobra and white yarcum flowers are mingled, staying in their minds
will be in the centre of the hollow of the hell.
Medical science:
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.
Mars-Sevvai:
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.
Chella Muthukumaraswami:
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.
People who will workship here:
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.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
· The central shrine is that of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam in the inner most sanctums. 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 in the second precinct facing south houses the image of Thiyalnayagi sported in standing posture with the medicinal oil to cure the diseases.
· The southern gateway from this precinct leads to the temple tank and directly faces the Thaiyalnayaki shrine.
· The Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is margosa (Azadirachta indica, neem tree), believed to possesses medicinal properties, is present near the eastern gateway.
· 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 shrine of Angaragan (Mars) is present near the Eastern gateway in the third precinct.
· 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 practise.
· Mavilaku ma (litting lamp in rice cakes) is a form of worship practised.
· The practise of jamming salt and pepper in front of the temple mast and the pot near the temple tank is also followed.
· Unlike other temples in South India, where each shrine has a priest, each priest in the temple associates themselves with the devotees and perform worship on their behalf.
· 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.
· It is a practice to purchase silver-plated images of body parts to put in the Hundi (vessel for offering) to fix ailments one might be having.
· The Veeraraghavaswamy temple at Thiruvallur is considered the Vaishnavite temple equivalent of healing abilities of the presiding deity to that of the Saivite Vaitheeswaran Kovil.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Vaidyanathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Thaiyal Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Siddhamirtham
Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vembu
(Neem Tree) |
BELIEF:
Kantha
Sashti, a festive occasion for Subramanya, is celebrated in the shrine of
Muthukumaraswamy.
People
pray here for remedy from various ailments, boils, pimples and scars. They get
the special oil from the temple and apply on the body. This is the place where
Danvantri Siddha attained Samadhi. People pray here for relief from various
ailments.
Devotees
should worship Lord Shiva, Ambal, and Murugan first and then they should pray
to Sevvai (planet mars) with the cloth offering to get relived from Sevvai
Dosha. On the karpagraha lighting the ghee lamp is the way to worship
here.
It
is a practice to purchase silver-plated images of body parts to put in
the Hundi (vessel for offering) to fix ailments one might be having.
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.
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.
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.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Pooram |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda
Shashti and Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Makara
Sankranthi |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Brahmotsavam
(annual festival) |
HOW
TO REACH:
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. Frequent bus services are
available from sirkazhiAnother Paadal Petra Sthalam Tirupunkur is located
nearby (3 Kms from here)
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Vaidhyanathar
Temple,
Vaitheeswarankovil,
Sirkazhi,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu - 609117
LOCATION:
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