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Vaitheeswaran Koil

Vaitheeswaran Koil, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

Lord Shiva

History & Significance

Significance

The Angarakan (Mars) temple of the Navagraha circuit, dedicated to Shiva as Vaitheeswaran ('the divine physician'), closely associated with healing. The temple's sacred tank, Siddhamirtham, is believed to have curative properties, and it's one of the most-visited stops on the Navagraha pilgrimage route.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Shiva

A 7th-century CE Shiva temple glorified by all four major Nayanmars (Shiva poet-saints) — Thirugnana Sambandhar was born in Sirkazhi. The only temple in the world praised by all four principal Nayanmars. The presiding deity Brahmadesam (Shiva as Lord of Brahma's place) is unique.

Sirkazhi Brahmapuriiswarar Temple

Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu4 km

Lord Shiva

Shiva

Mercury (Budha) Navagraha temple. The Budha (Mercury) Navagraha temple at Thiruvenkadu, said to be the spot where Mercury worshipped Shiva to be released from a curse.

Thiruvenkadu Swetharanyeswarar Temple

Thiruvenkadu, Tamil Nadu5 km

Lord Shiva

Shiva

A UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Rajendra Chola I (1025 CE) to celebrate his conquest of the Ganges. A twin to Thanjavur's Big Temple but with a unique curved vimana (tower) — the only example in South Indian temple architecture. The Nandi (Shiva's bull) here is the largest in Tamil Nadu.

Gangaikondacholapuram Brihadeeswarar Temple

Gangaikondacholapuram, Tamil Nadu12 km

Lord Shiva

Shiva

A major Shiva temple where the Goddess Parvati took the form of a peacock (mayura) to worship Shiva — hence the town is called Mayiladuthurai (city of the peacock goddess). Praised by the Nayanmars, this is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams (temples in Thevaram literature).

Mayuranathaswamy Temple

Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu15 km

Lord Shiva