Sunrise At: 4:50 AM
Sunset At: 6:15 PM
Vaitheeswaran Koil – Vaidyanathar & Thayal Nayagi
Vaitheeswaran Koil Sri Vaidyanathar Temple is one of the most celebrated and sacred Saivite temples belonging to the Darumapuram Aadheenam of Tiru Kayilaya Parambara — descendants of the Kailash dynasty. Located in Vaitheeswaran Koil – 609 117, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu, the temple is renowned for its spiritual significance, healing traditions, and rich heritage rooted in Tamil Saiva culture.
The Moolavar (principal deity) is Lord Vaidyanathar, worshipped as the Divine Healer. The Amman / Thayar is Thayal Nayagi, who blesses devotees with compassion, health, and well-being. The Thala Virutcham (sacred tree) is Vembu (Neem tree). The theertham is Siddhamirtham. Pooja is performed according to Kameeka Agama. The historical name is Pullirukkuvelur.
This is the 16th Lord Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram and Tirupugazh hymns. The glory of the Lord is praised by saints including Tirugnana Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Arunagirinathar, Kumara Guruparar, Chidambara Munivar, Ramalinga Adigal, Padikkasu Thambiran, Kalamega Pulavar, and Vaduganatha Desikar of Darumapura Aadheenam.
Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthi in the temple. The five towers (Gopurams) of the temple are on a straight line. The Maragatha Linga (Emerald Linga) is very famous. There are two flag posts (Kodimaram) before the presiding deity made of silver and gold. The Navagrahas are behind the sanctum on a straight line, obeying the presiding Lord — unique among Shiva temples.
The temple is protected by Lord Bhairava in the east, Lord Veerabadra in the west, Lord Vinayaka in the south, and Mother Kali in the north. The temple with its five-tier Rajagopuram faces west. According to scriptures, worshipping Lord facing west brings the benefit of worshipping in 1000 Shiva temples.
Temple Highlights
Divine Healing Temple
Lord Vaidyanathar is worshipped as the divine healer who removes diseases, ailments, and suffering. The place is headquarters of medical science curing 4448 diseases.
Maragatha Linga (Emerald Linga)
The famous Emerald (Maragatha) Linga is a unique feature of this temple, revered by devotees for centuries.
Navagraha Kshetra – Planet Mars
Of the nine Navagraha importance temples in Tamil Nadu, this belongs to Mars (Angaraka). Special pujas are performed for relief from adverse planetary aspects.
Lord Selva Muthukumaraswami
All festivals are dedicated to Lord Muruga (Chella Muthukumaraswami). Pujas to Lord and Mother are offered only after pujas to Lord Muruga.
Temple Details
| Temple Name | Vaitheeswaran Koil Sri Vaidyanathar Temple |
|---|---|
| Moolavar | Vaidyanathar |
| Amman / Thayar | Thayal Nayagi |
| Thala Virutcham | Vembu (Neem Tree) |
| Theertham | Siddhamirtham |
| Agama / Pooja | Kameeka Agama |
| Historical Name | Pullirukkuvelur |
| Temple Age | 1000–2000 years old |
| City | Vaitheeswaran Koil |
| District | Mayiladuthurai |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Opening Time | 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Address | Sri Vaidyanatha Swami Temple, Vaitheeswaran Koil – 609 117, Mayiladuthurai District |
| Location | 25, South Mada Vilagam, Vaitheeswarankoil, Tamil Nadu 609117 |
Singers
The glory of the Lord of this temple is praised by a host of saints and scholars: Tirugnana Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Arunagirinathar, Kumara Guruparar, Chidambara Munivar, Ramalinga Adigal, Padikkasu Thambiran, Kalamega Pulavar, and Vaduganatha Desikar of Darumapura Aadheenam. This is the 16th Lord Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in both Thevaram and Tirupugazh hymns.
Spiritual Significance
Vaitheeswaran Koil is the Kula Devatha of many families across South India. Devotees pray here for remedy from ailments, boils, pimples, and scars. A special healing oil from the temple is applied on the body. A medicine ball made of anthill sand, abishek water, neem leaves, and abishek sacred ash cures diseases when consumed. As this is the place where Danvantri Siddha attained Samadhi, people pray here for relief from various ailments.
- Ancient Shiva temple under Darumapuram Aadheenam — Tiru Kayilaya Parambara
- Dedicated to Lord Vaidyanathar (Swayambumurthi) and Goddess Thayal Nayagi
- Famous spiritual healing temple — headquarters of medical science (4448 diseases)
- Kameeka Agama worship practices
- 16th Shiva temple on northern bank of Cauvery in Thevaram & Tirupugazh
- Navagraha Kshetra for Mars (Angaraka) — Tuesdays and Kruthika star days are special
- Maragatha Linga (Emerald Linga) is a prized feature
- Lord Rama worshipped here; Lord Muruga received His Vel weapon here
- 18 theerthams mixed in the Siddhamirtham tank — cures all diseases
Festivals
10-day Thai month festival from Tuesday dedicated to Lord Selva Muthukuraswami with daily procession (January–February); 28-day Panguni Brahmmotsavam with abishek to Panchamurthi and procession (March–April); 6-day Aipasi Skanda Sashti (October–November); Vaikasi Mannabishek, Mandalabishek, and monthly Kruthikas are grandly celebrated. Monthly Pradosha days, Deepavali, Makar Sankranthi, and Tamil and English New Year Days are also observed.
Prayers & Thanksgiving
Devotees offer punugu (cosmetic paste), borneol (pachai Karpooram), sandal, lime, rosewater, and flowers to Lord Muthukumarswami for the Arthajama puja with milk rice nivedhana. They perform abishek with sandal and offer sari for Mother Thaiyal Nayaki. For Lord, abishek is performed with rice flour, turmeric, cosmetic powders, oil, milk, curd, sacred ash, rose water, green coconut, panchamirtha, lime fruit, honey, and sandal. Devotees undertake tonsuring, ear boring ceremonies, and light Maa Vilakku made of rice flour and ghee. Medical students pray here to pass exams with distinction.
Temple History
Many Siddhas in days of yore performed abishek to Lord with nectar, gaining many boons. The nectar mixed with the holy spring — 18 theerthams are blended in this tank which cures all diseases. When Sage Sadananda was performing penance here and saw a snake trying to devour a frog, he cursed them. Since then, no snake or frog comes near this tank. The name Pullirukkuvelur derives from: Pul (Bird — the eagle king Jatayu), Irukku (Rig Veda), Vel (Lord Muruga), and Oor (place). A king named Veerasenan came here with his son suffering from tuberculosis, bathed in the theertham, and his son was completely cured. Lord Sri Rama performed the last rites for the noble eagle Jatayu in the Vibuthi Gundam here.