Vaitheeswaran Koil (Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple)
Shiva as Vaidyanathar (Vaitheeswaran), with Thaiyal Nayaki temple · Vaitheeswarankoil, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Vaitheeswaran Koil is a Shiva temple in the small town of Vaitheeswarankoil, near Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped here as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran, a name that combines the words for physician (vaidya) and lord (ishvara), and the goddess is worshipped as Thaiyal Nayaki. The old name of the place, found in the hymns of the Shaiva saints, is Pullirukkuvelur.
The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples of the Kaveri delta and is the shrine associated with Angaraka, the planet Mars. It is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam, a temple praised in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns, and the town is widely known for Nadi palm-leaf astrology. According to Wikipedia, the temple is administered by the Dharmapuram Adheenam, a Shaiva monastic institution based in Mayiladuthurai.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Vaitheeswaran Koil (Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple)
The temple is traditionally associated with healing. The Incredible India portal of the Ministry of Tourism and the Tamil Nadu Temples Project both describe the belief that Shiva appeared here as a physician, and devotees come to pray for relief from illness. Tradition holds that the goddess, Thaiyal Nayaki, brought medicinal oil to help Shiva, and the Tamil Nadu Temples Project suggests her name is a later form of 'Thaila Nayaki', lady of the oil. A small shrine of Dhanvantari stands in the outer precinct.
According to legend, Angaraka (Mars) was relieved of an affliction after worshipping Vaidyanathar, and the temple is therefore counted among the Navagraha shrines, with a separate shrine of Angaraka near the eastern gateway. Devotees who believe Mars is unfavourable in their horoscope offer special worship here. Other traditions link the temple to the Ramayana: Jatayu, the vulture who fought Ravana, is believed to have fallen here, and a spot called Jatayu Kundam inside the temple is associated with the last rites performed for him by Rama. Murugan, worshipped here as Selvamuthukumaraswamy, is believed to have received his vel (spear) from Parvati at this place; the Tamil Nadu Temples Project notes that at the evening Ardhajama puja Murugan is worshipped before Shiva.
The traditional name Pullirukkuvelur is explained as a combination of pul (the bird Jatayu), irukku (the Rig Veda), vel (Murugan) and ur (place), all believed to have worshipped here. The hymns of Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Thirugnana Sambandar name Pullirukkuvelur, and the Tamil Nadu Temples Project adds that Arunagirinathar also sang of the temple. Wikipedia records that an inscription at the temple attributes six compositions on the goddess to the composer Muthuswami Dikshitar.
Heritage
History of Vaitheeswaran Koil (Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple)
Wikipedia and the Incredible India portal record that the temple has five inscriptions, mainly from the reign of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE), which record renovations, constructions and gifts. Later contributors named by Wikipedia include Vikrama Chola, the Pandya ruler Vira Rajendra, the Thanjavur Nayak king Achuthappa Nayak (1560–1614) and the Maratha ruler Thulaja.
One inscription on the second precinct wall dates the building of the courtyard of the Thaiyal Nayaki shrine, its steps and a hall to the Tamil year 4868, corresponding to 1689 CE. Another, beside the temple tank, records that the tank, the goddess shrine and its hall were renovated while the temple was managed by a disciple of the Dharmapuram Adheenam. The Tamil Nadu Temples Project notes that the present structural temple is a much later addition around an original small shrine (the Adi shrine) near the eastern entrance.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple has a five-tiered gopuram, two inner gopurams and large precincts, according to Wikipedia and the Incredible India portal. The main shrine faces west, which the Tamil Nadu Temples Project notes is unusual for a Shiva temple, and holds Vaidyanathar as a lingam. The first precinct has bronze images of Muthukumaraswamy (Murugan), Nataraja, Somaskanda and Angaraka, and stone images of Durga, Dakshinamurthy, Surya, Jatayu and Sampati. Thaiyal Nayaki's shrine stands in the second precinct facing south, opposite the temple tank.
The tank, called Siddhamirtham, lies within the complex; the Tamil Nadu Temples Project says devotees are not allowed to bathe in it but may sprinkle its water on themselves. The sacred tree is the neem, near the eastern gateway, where the small Adi shrine also stands. The Navagrahas here are placed behind the main shrine, all facing west, an arrangement the Tamil Nadu Temples Project describes as unusual.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The Tamil Nadu Temples Project describes the customary order of worship: washing one's feet at the temple tank, then offering salt and pepper at the place set aside for it, before entering the main shrine. Crowds are heavier on festival days. Confirm current timings, dress expectations and worship arrangements with the temple administration (Dharmapuram Adheenam) before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Dharmapuram Adheenam (per Wikipedia) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Vaitheeswaran Koil (Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple)
Brahmotsavam
The temple's annual festival, with processions of the deities.
Karthigai festival
Celebrated with lamps and festivities, according to Wikipedia.
Kanda Sashti
Celebrated at the shrine of Selvamuthukumaraswamy (Murugan).
Location
How to Reach Vaitheeswaran Koil (Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple)
Wikipedia places Vaitheeswarankoil about 7 km from Sirkazhi, 13 km from Mayiladuthurai and 27 km from Chidambaram, between Sirkazhi and Mayiladuthurai on the state highway. The town has its own railway station, Vaithisvarankoil, on the line between Chennai and Mayiladuthurai, and Tamil Nadu government buses run frequently along the highway.
Location: Vaitheeswarankoil, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest railway station: Vaithisvarankoil
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva as Vaidyanathar (Vaitheeswaran), with Thaiyal Nayaki temples · Temples in Maruvathur · Temples in Sirkazhi Taluk · Temples in Mayiladuthurai District
Questions
Vaitheeswaran Koil (Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple): Frequently Asked Questions
Which planet is Vaitheeswaran Koil associated with?
It is the Navagraha temple for Angaraka, the planet Mars. According to legend, Angaraka worshipped Vaidyanathar here, and the temple has a separate Angaraka shrine near the eastern gateway.
What does the name Vaitheeswaran mean?
It combines vaidya (physician) and ishvara (lord). Shiva is worshipped here as the divine physician, Vaidyanathar.
Is Vaitheeswaran Koil a Paadal Petra Sthalam?
Yes. It is praised under its old name Pullirukkuvelur in the Tevaram hymns of Appar and Sambandar.
Who manages Vaitheeswaran Koil?
According to Wikipedia, the temple is maintained by the Dharmapuram Adheenam, a Shaiva monastic institution in Mayiladuthurai.
How old is Vaitheeswaran Koil?
The 7th-century Tevaram hymns already mention it, and its inscriptions are mainly from the reign of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE). Later additions are dated to the Nayak and Maratha periods, including work in 1689 CE.
What is the Jatayu connection at Vaitheeswaran Koil?
Tradition holds that Jatayu fell here after fighting Ravana and that Rama performed his last rites at the spot now called Jatayu Kundam inside the temple.
How do I reach Vaitheeswaran Koil?
The town lies on the highway between Sirkazhi (about 7 km) and Mayiladuthurai (about 13 km) and has its own railway station, Vaithisvarankoil.
Sources and attribution
- Wikipedia — Vaitheeswaran Koil
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India) — Vaitheeswaran Koil
- Tamil Nadu Temples Project (tntemplesproject.in) — Vaidyanathar, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Nagapattinam
Further reading: Vaitheeswaran Koil (Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple) on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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