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vaitheeswaran-koil

Tamil Nadu

Vaitheeswaran Koil

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map

January

18.5 - 32.2 °C

February

19.0 - 35.6 °C

March

19.8 - 38.7 °C

April

22.2 - 40.4 °C

May

24.0 - 41.1 °C

June

23.1 - 41.2 °C

July

22.8 - 39.4 °C

August

22.5 - 38.7 °C

September

22.3 - 36.8 °C

October

22.8 - 35.5 °C

November

20.0 - 33.1 °C

December

19.1 - 31.2 °C

Major Airports :

Madurai International Airport (IXM), Madurai

Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ), Tiruchirappalli

Nearest Railway Station :

Thanjavur Railway Station (TJ)

Major Airports :

Madurai International Airport (IXM), Madurai

Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ), Tiruchirappalli

Where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vaidya (doctor)

Here’s one of the nine Navagraha (associated with the planet Mars) temples, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran, the ‘God of healing’. Welcome to the Vaitheeswaran Koil temple, some 2 hours from Thanjavur! Its presiding deity is Sri Vaidyanathan, while the Tamil name ‘Vaitheeswaran’ is derived from ‘vaidya’ (doctor) and ‘ishvara’ (God).

The temple received contributions from various rulers and contains five inscriptions, mainly from the period of Kulothunga Chola I. These inscriptions detail renovations, constructions, and gifts to the temple. It is in the hymns of 7th-century Saiva nayanars, Tamil saint poets, and is classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam, a temple revered by the nayanars.

The temple is renowned for palm leaf astrology, known as Nadi astrology, and its Siddhamirtham tank is believed to contain water with healing properties. Legend has it that Shiva appeared here as a doctor to cure a devotee named Angahara of leprosy.

Come, discover yourself God’s healing power at the Vaitheswaran Koil temple!

The divine architecture and its soothing power

The temple features a five-tiered gopuram (temple tower), two inner gopurams, and spacious precincts. Walk till you reach the central shrine, housing the lingam of Vaitheeswaran. Surrounding the sanctum are metal images of Subramanya, Nataraja, Somaskanda, Angaraka, and stone sculptures of various deities.

The Thaiyalnayaki shrine in the second precinct houses an image of Thiyalnayagi, believed to cure diseases. There's also a small shrine to Dhanvantari and a stone sculpture of Angaraka. The temple tree, a margosa (neem) tree, is believed to possess medicinal properties.

Near the eastern gateway is the shrine of Adi temple, along with a metal image of Gangavisarjanar. The shrine of Angaragan (Mars) is located near the eastern gateway in the third precinct.

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Timings

Opening time - 06:00 AM to 01:00 PM

Closing time - 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM

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Beliefs, rituals & true healing

At Vaitheeswaran, you will find devotees taking a holy dip in the temple tank before offering their prayers. It's believed that dissolving jaggery in the water can cure skin diseases.

Tonsure ceremonies for children's first haircuts, lighting lamps on rice cakes (Mavilaku ma), placing salt and pepper in front of the mast and pot near the temple tank, these sights are common here. In contrast to most temples, where each shrine has its own dedicated priest, here at Vaitheeswaran Koil, every priest forms a personal connection with devotees and conducts worship on their behalf.

Devotees believe in its holy soil mixed with ash (Thiruchandu Urundai). They also offer silver-plated body part images in the Hundi (offering vessel) in the hope of alleviating ailments.

Vaitheeswaran Koil welcomes people from all over seeking solace and remedy. Its ancient traditions and sacred atmosphere make it a special destination. Don’t miss giving it a visit!

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