In the Vaitheeswaran shrine of Nagapattinam, the Lord is the healer. He is believed to relieve his devotees from their diseases. Angaraka, the God of war and the graha associated with strength, impulsiveness and anger is also worshipped in the shrine. The history of the temple dates back to Ramayana period with Rama and Lakshmana believed to have worshipped the deity here. The temple is revered in the Tevaram hymns of saint poets Thirunavukkarasar and Sambandar belonging to the 7th century. The temple has inscriptions belonging to the Chola period.

Location TamilNadu, Nagapattinam, Chennai

Legend

The Lord of the temple is considered to be the healer. Mythology believes that when Subramanya was injured during his war with the demon Surapadman, Shiva came as Vaitheeswaran and healed his wounds. He is also believed to have cured Angaraka of leprosy after he was cursed by Brahma.

This Temple is part of the famous Navagraha Yatra.

Architecture

The Vaitheeswaran Temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture with a five-tiered gopuram. The gopurams with Salaams on the top are adorned with intricate carvings. In the inner sanctum of the central shrine is the primary deity of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam. There are metal images of Subramanya, Nataraja, stone sculptures of Durga, Jatayu, Surya etc. There is also a shrine dedicated to Angaraka, one of the Navagrahas. The temple tank is considered pious which cures devotees of skin diseases. The temple tree, Margosa is located near the eastern gateway of the temple.

Picture Courtesy: "Vaitheeswarankovil5" by Ssriram mt - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vaitheeswarankovil5.JPG#/media/File:Vaitheeswarankovil5.JPG

Culture

Nadi astrology is practiced by the astrologers around the temple. The astrologers of Vaitheeswaran temple are said to possess the leaves written by sages about a person's past, present and future.

Darsan Info

Vaitheeswaran Temple timings:

6.00 AM to 11.00 AM and from 4.00 PM to 8.30 PM.

Tuesdays are considered auspicious days to worship Angaraka here. Darshan of Vinayakar should be done before the darshan of Vaidyanathaswamy

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and traditional clothing. Western attire are not allowed in the temples of Tamil Nadu.

Famous Festival

January - Brahmotsavam

November - Karthigai

Temple Rituals

Devotees take a holy dip in the temple tank before worshipping Vaitheeswaran in the temple. Silver plated body images are deposited in the hindi, which is believed to cure diseases.

Special Rituals

Appeasement pujas to Angaraka is performed here to abate the Chevvai dosham. Devotees also undertake tonsuring of their head as an offering at the Vaitheeswaran Temple.

Additional Info

 

Eateries near Vaitheeswaran Temple

Hotel Shadabhishekam

Aaharam Veg restaurant

 

Supermarket : Available