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
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