Vaitheeswaran Koil: The Temple of Healing
Vaitheeswaran Koil is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is revered as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran, meaning the “Lord of Healing,” and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure illnesses. The name Vaitheeswaran is derived from the Tamil words “vaidya” (doctor) and “ishvara” (god/expert).
The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Vaidyanathan, who faces west, while the east side is considered the auspicious direction. Sri Vaidyanathan is the divine force of healing. In Tamil, the pronunciation of Vaitheeswaran sounds like “Vaideeswaran.” The temple is one of the nine Navagraha (nine planets) temples and is associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka).
The town of Vaitheeswaran Koil is also famous for palm leaf astrology, known as Naadi astrology in Tamil. This ancient form of astrology is believed to provide insights into one’s past, present, and future. Many people visit Vaitheeswaran Koil not only for the divine blessings of Lord Shiva but also to consult the Naadi astrologers and seek guidance for various aspects of their lives.