Vaitheeswaran Koil

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Vaitheeswaran Koil

Located at a distance of 24 km from Chidambaram, the place is famous for the Siva temple dedicated to Vaidyanatheeswarar, the healer of all diseases and his consort Thaiyalnayaki. It is believed that a bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex will cure all diseases. Nadi Jothidam is a traditional skill popular here. The temple is also known as “Pullirukkuvelur”, (Pul - Irukku - Vel - Ur, the words in Tamil meaning Bird (Jatayu), Rig Veda, Lord Murugan and Sun respectively) is one of the important Shiva temples in the South. There are many legends associated with this temple. It is said that Lord Murugan received his Vel in order to vanquish the demon King Soorapathman in this place. It is also believed that Lord Shiva himself appeared at this place with Goddess Thaiyalnayaki carrying the "Sanjeevi Thailam" (panacea for all ills) and the soil from the roots of the vilva tree in order to cure all illnesses of mankind. There are six daily worships and the temple is closed in the afternoon between 12 noon and 5 pm. There are festivals throughout the year. A special puja is conducted every month during karthikai with the main festival falls in the month of Thai (Jan/Feb) to Sri Selvamuththukumarar. Puja for Ankaragan is conducted on Tuesdays and he is taken in procession. On these days large numbers of devotees bathe in the water of the Siththamirtha Theertham (also spelt as Teertha) and offer their prayers to the deities in order to receive divine blessing.