Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple

Vaitheeswaran Koil has several mandapams and 4 rajagopurams and a significant feature in the temple construction is that the western tower allows the rays of the Sun to fall on the Shivalingam (Shiva Linga) for a few days every year. Inscriptions from the period of Vikrama Chola (12th century CE), the Nayakas (16th century CE) and the Mahrathas (18th century) are seen here. This is a large temple that covers a total land area of 10.7 acres.

The Vaitheeswaran Koil has a 5-tier gopuram (temple tower) and large precincts. The central shrine is that of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam in the inner most sanctum. 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 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 (temple tree) is margosa (Azadirachta indica) which possesses medicinal properties. It is located in the eastern gateway of the temple. 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 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 were 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.

The Vaitheeswaran Koil is guarded by Bhairava on the East, Veerabhadran on the west, Karpage Vinayagar on the South and Mother Kali on the north. The sanctum faces west.

The Navagrahas unlike in other temples, are in a row. Near Bairavan are Ramar, Sadayu, Murugar, Suriyan and Chevvai. There is a separate idol of Chevvai.

Chevvai is present in two forms – Utsavar (the idol that is taken out in procession during festivals) is near the Vaithyanathaswamy sannidhi (shrine) and the moolavar (the idol that is placed permanently in a place) is in the Eastern side of the outer praharam (circumambulatory path). The Utsava Murthy, mounted on a goat, is taken out in a procession inside the temple premises every Tuesday. Of the 18 holy Siddhas ‘Dhanvantari’ belongs to this temple. There is a small shrine to Lord Dhanvantari in the praharam (circumambulatory path) around Vaitheeswaran’s Sannidhi (Sanctum sanctorum).

It is also said during the Ramayana period, Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman cremated the vulture king Jatayu who was killed by Ravana when he tried to prevent the abduction of Sita at this place. As such a pond is found here called Jatayu Kundam (pot of Jatayu having holy ash of Vibhuti). Another importance of the temple is that the Saptarshi or Saptarishi (Sanskrit word which means “Seven Sages”) have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Our Puranas state that when Lord Siva and Shakti had parted and were living separate, Chevvai was born from the sweat that feel upon the ground from mother Uma’s forehead.

There is also a different version in which chevvai is the son of sage Bharathwaja and was brought up by Mother Earth. In Macha purana, it is told that Veerabhadra who was created from the third eye of Lord Siva, destroyed the yaga of Daksha. The Devas were terrified of the havoc wrought by Veerabhadra who grew conscious of this fear, transformed himself into Chevvai.

Puranas mention the temple by the name ‘Pullirukkuvelur’. Pullirukkuvelur (Pul – Irukku – Vel – Ur) obtained its name as Jatayu (Pull), Rig Veda (Irukku), Skanda (Vel) and Surya (Ur) are said to have worshipped Shiva here.

The village is also known for palm leaf astrology called Naadi astrology in Tamil. Also,  Oali suvadi Jothidam or Nadi Jyothisham is one type of Astrological concept which is famous in this Vaitheeswaran Koil area.