Vaideeswaran – Lord of MedicineG. RavishankarDid you know how Lord Vaideeswaran is described by great legend? Lord Vaideeswaran
is known as Lord of speech, bravery and courage in the court, Lord of Health, Skills and valour in the battle, Lord of Strength, bestower of victory Son of kusa, I praise thy holy feet.Our puranas state that when Lord Siva and
mother Uma had parted and were living separate, Chevvai was born from the sweat that fell upon the ground from mother Uma's forehead. There is also a different version in which Chevvai is the son of sage Bharathwaja and was brought up by Mother Earth. In Macha purana, it is told that Veerabadra who was created from the third eye of Lord Siva, Destroyed the yaga of Daksha. The Davas were terrified of the havoc wrought by veerabadra who grew conscious of this fear, transformed himself into Chevvai.Chevvai rides upon the Annam bird. He is of reddish from. His seat in triangular. His flag has a goat as the emblem. His golden Chariot is pulled by eight horses. Chevvai is of great austerity.His body is the flame of yoge, he is skilled in all the subtler arts. Chevvai is to the south of Suriyan. His demeanour is smiling and pleasant; he has fwour arms a posture of harbourage. It is also told that Chevvai and Lord Muruga are not different. His other names are: Angaraha, Kuja, Bowman and Bhumiputhran.The propitiation of Chevvai Dasa : Chevvai is the Lord of Aries and Scorpio, the period of his influence is seven years. He is propitiated for the troubles associated with one's siblings for the repayment of loans associated with house and land, for the cure of the rheumatism and arthritis, for the removal of hurdles which obstruct marriage, for the healing up wounds, injuries, tumours and fractures. Chevvai is propitiated by prayers to Lord Murugan by wearing a red dress and the Gem stone Pavazha, fasting on Tuesdays. Chevvai grants land, valour, strength and happiness to his devotee. He also makes a man large-hearted, courageous, unswerving in his purpose. THE SHRINE OF CHEVVAI, VAIDHEESWARAN KOILLocation - About 6 km south of Sirkazhi, on the way to Mayiladuthurai.
Temple: - Vaideeshwaran temple is at the centre of the town. Its walls are high and strong.The temple is guarded by Bhairava on the East, Veerabhadramn on the West, Karpaga Vinayagar on the South and Mother Kali on the worth. The sanctum faces west. Puranas mention the temple by the name 'pullirukkuvelur',. This name signifies the fact that Sadayu, Vedas, Lord Muruga and Suriyan worshipped Lord Siva at this temple.Reigning deity - Lord Vaidhiyanathar with Thaiyal Nayagi.Unique feature - Lord Muruga as Muthu-kumarasamy was favelin at this shrine with which he cleared the heart of Surapadma in battle.Holy Tree - Vembu or Neem tree.Theertham - Chithamirtha theerdham.Devotees - Kamadhenu, Sadyu and Chevvai.Poet Saints - Sambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar, Arunakiriyar, Kumara Kurubarar, Padikkasu Thambiran, Chidambara Munivar, Kalameghappulavur.The Greatness of the Shrine: This temple is known for the sanctum of Chevvai. It has three great deities-Lord Muruga as Muthukumarsamy, Vaidyanathar and mother Thayyalnayagi. Siva is worshipped only after the midnight pujas are offered to Muthukumarasamy. There is a saying in Tamil which goes "The most beautiful of the lamps is the lamp lighted to the one who makes an end to causes (Lord Vaidhyanathar)". Prayers offered towards this temple are very efficacious and fructify immediately.The temple of pullirikkuvelur: The temple of pullirikkuvellur popularly known as Vaidhiswarar temple is a magnificent structure which these days has many stores of coconut and flowers, lining up the way of approach, salt, jaggery, mustard and pepper are sold in those shops. Jaggery and salt are dissolved in the water of the temple for the dissolution of tumours and mustard and peppergiven to the temple so that warts, lumps and other abnormal growth on the skin are removed. One enters this temple through a seven tiered tower, then one goes into Thirumadapathi Mandapam and the Sabamandapam in which there is a magnificient sculpture of an elephant. There are sanctums for Lord Vinayaga and Muruga. Every year in the month of Karthika, Lord Muruga is bathed with the paste of Sandal wood. Lord Muruga himself being a most beautiful form, need one describe the perfect splendour of the sight of the lord applied with sandalwood paste! One enters through the eastern towers and comes to the Sanctum of Chevvai. Against the large tank called as Chitramirtha theertham is the sanctum of mother Thaiyalnayaki. Lord Siva as Vaidyanathan in a Separate sanctum How to get there:Why don’t you use Paramount Airways to reach Madurai? (Paramount Airways offers thrice-daily flight connections from Chennai and Bangalore and through connections from South Indian Cities). Upon arrival in Madurai, you can arrange for transport by road to reach Vaideeswaran Koil.