The holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex contains nectar, and a holy dip is believed to cure all diseases.
· The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of 7th-century Saiva nayanars - Tamil saint poets and is also classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam (temple revered by the nayanars).
· During the Ramayana period, Rama, Lakshmana and Saptarishi have worshipped the deity in this place.
· There is a pond at this temple called Jatayu kundam (pot of Jatayu having holy ash of Vibhuti).
· One of the nine planets, Angaraka (Mars), suffered from leprosy and was cured by Vaidhyanathaswamy and from then on it is treated as one of the Navagraha Temples for planet Angaraka.
· Parvati, the consort of Shiva, asked her son, Subramanya to appear with one face from his regular appearance of six faces. When he did so, she was pleased and presented him with vel (a weapon) to slay the demons. Subramanya overcame the asura Surapadman (a demon) and in the war, his army was severely injured. Shiva came out as the healer Vaitheeswaran and cured the wounds.
· Like Panneer ilai Vibhuthi of Tiruchendur Temple, The "Tiruchaandu Urundai" (called in Tamil) which is covered with Vibhuti of deity heals various incurable diseases. It can be procured at the temple.
The temple has a 5-tier gopuram (temple tower) and large precincts. The Major Shrine of this temple are:-
· The central shrine is that of Vaitheeswaran present as lingam in the inner most sanctum.
· The first precinct around the sanctum has the metal image of Subramanya, worhsipped here as Muthukumara Swamy.
· The other metal images in the sanctum are of Nataraja, Somaskanda, Angaraka and stone sculptures of Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, Surya (Sun god), Jatayu, Vedas, Sampati.
· The shrine of Thaiyalnayaki who stands with the medicinal oil to cure the diseases of the devotees is present in the second precinct facing south.
· The large precinct also has a small shrine to Dhanvantari and shrine of Angaraka in stone sculpture.
· The southern gateway from this precinct leads to the temple tank and directly faces the Thaiyalnayaki shrine.
· The Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is margosa (Azadirachta indica) which possesses medicinal properties. It is located in the eastern gateway of the temple.
· The eastern gateway also has the shrine of Adi (original) temple that has a smaller replica of the main shrines. There is a fine metal image of Gangavisarjanar inside the temple.
· The shrine of Vinayagar near the temple tank
The temple has five inscriptions mainly belonging to the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120 CE).
The inscription on the steps of Subramanya shrine records the shutter of the sluice at Sattainathapuram measures 35 inches in length and 8 inches in breadth.
The one on the right of the temple tank indicates the tank, Nachiyar shrine, and its hall were completely renovated when Kanderayar was governing the Sigali Simai, and during the management of the temple by Muthukumaraswami Tambiran, a disciple of Sivagnanadesikar-Sambandar of the Dharmapuram Adheenam.
On the wall of the second precinct, the inscriptions state that the courtyard of Thayalnayagi shrine, the sacred steps and Tattisuri hall were built during Tamil year 4868 corresponding to 1689 CE.
On the floor near accountant's seat registers a deed granted by Sankarabaragiri Rengopanditar by Ambalavanatambiran, an agent of the temple.
The Easter gateway inscription indicates the gift of taxes from Manipallam in Tiruvalipparu.
Devotees take a holy dip in the temple tank before worshipping Vaitheeswaran in the temple. It is also a local belief that dissolving jaggery (Tamil:vellam) in the waters cures skin diseases.
Tonsure ceremony of getting children shaved for the first time to promote proper growth is a very common practise.
Mavilaku ma (litting lamp in rice cakes) is a form of worship practised.
The practise of jamming salt and pepper in front of the temple mast and the pot near the temple tank is also followed. Unlike other temples in South India, where each shrine has a priest, each priest in the temple associates themselves with the devotees and perform worship on their behalf.
The holy soil rounded with ash (called Thiruchandu Urundai) is treated as medicine and believed to cure all the diseases.
Another medicine given is chandan (sandalwood powder) with saffron.
Devotees also donate carved silver plated body organs in the Hundi (vessel for offering) to cure the diseases.
Brahmotsavam (annual festival) is celebrated during the Tamil calendar months of Pankuni and Thai (January–February).
Karthigai festival during November is also celebrated with pomp and glory.
Kantha Sashti, a festive occasion for Subramanya, is celebrated in the shrine of Muthukumaraswamy.
Related Town importance - Nadi Astrology
Nadi astrology ('நாடி ஜோதிடம்' in Tamil), (nāḍi jyotiṣa) is a form of Hindu astrology practiced around the temple. It is based on the belief that the past, present and the future lives of all humans were foreseen by Hindu sages in ancient time. The texts are mainly written in Vatteluttu, which is an ancient Tamil script. There are different schools of thought as to the author of these leaves. They are believed to be written by a Tamil sage called Agathiyar who is said to have had divine revelations. These Nadi leaves were initially stored in the premises of Tanjore Saraswati Mahal Library of Tamil Nadu.
The British rulers later showed interest in the Nadi leaves concerned with herbs and medicine and future prediction, but ironically left most of the leaves to their loyal people. Some leaves got destroyed and the remaining were auctioned during the British rule. These leaves were obtained and possessed by the families of astrologers in Vaitheeswaran temple and was passed down the years from one generation to the other.
The temple is revered by Tevaram hymns of saint poets Thirunavukkarasar and sambandar belonging to the 7th century. The poets name the towns where they found the temple in their hymns and Pullirukkuvelur finds a mention in their verses, corresponding to the temple.
The hymns appear to recognise the function of the mantras (sacred text) as invocation of Shiva. In addition the hymns from Thirunavukkarasar likens Shiva to luminous objects - a flame, a pearl, a diamond and pure gold.[11] He also indicates wasting lot of days not worshipping Shiva at this temple.
"வெள்ளெ ருக்கர வம்விர வுஞ்சடைப்
புள்ளி ருக்குவே ளூரரன் பொற்கழல்
உள்ளிருக்கு முணர்ச்சியில் லாதவர்
நள்ளி ருப்பர் நரகக் குழியிலே."
Those who have no perception of the golden feet of deity in Puḷḷirukku Vēḷūr on whose matted hairs cobra and white yarcum flowers are mingled, staying in their minds. will be in the centre of the hollow of the hell.
The temple is maintained by Dharmapuram Adheenam, a Saivite mutt or monastic institution located in the town of Mayiladuthurai, India. As of 1987, there were a total of 27 Shiva temples under the control of the adheenam.
The temple is located between Sirkali to Mayiladuthurai State Highway. Frequent bus services are operated by Tamil Nadu government. There is a Railway station which is located between Chennai to Mayiladuthurai railway road. Karaikal is the nearest proposal airport located around 40 kilometer from temple.
Vaitheeswaran Koil is located between sirkali and mayiladuthurai motor road and train road. Frequent bus services are available to mayiladuthurai and sirkali. South Indian railway operates few train service via this holy village. Most of the express trains will not stop at this holy village. But you can alight at the nearest junction mayiladuthurai or sirkali.
Indian railway operates the following train services from vaitheeswarn koil railway station. All the given time Indian Standard Time(IST). 16183 Uzhavan Express Exp To Tanjore 04:33
56874 Mayiladuthurai Villupuram Pass 06:02
56513 Karaikal Bangalore 06:52
17408 Pamani Express Exp 07:35
56873 Villupuram Mayiladut... Pass 08:35
16854 Cholan Express Exp To Chennai 11:47
16853 Cholan Express Exp To Trichy 13:20
56876 Mayiladuthurai-Villu... Pass 15:52
56875 Villupuram-Mayiladut... Pass 17:07
56878 Mayiladuthurai-Villu... Pass 18:07
56514 Bangalore Cantt. - K... Pass 19:01
17407 Pamani Express Exp 19:15
56877 Villupuram-Mayiladut... Pass 20:19
16184 Uzhavan Express To chennai Exp 22:47
