Shiva is venerated as Vaitheeswaran or the "God of healing" and it is thought that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure ailments. It is one of the nine Navagraha (9 planets) temples related with the planet Mars (Angaraka). The area is also known for palm leaf zodiac called Naadi astrology in Tamil.One of the nine planets, Angaraka (Mars), suffered from leprosy and was healed by Vaidhyanathaswamy. Shiva is thought to be the Divine Healer named Vaidyanathar. His spouse Thaiyalnaayaki is believed to follow him with a vase of curative oil. Here is also a shrine belonging to Dhanwantari here. The prasadam provided at this temple is Thiruchaandu Urundai set at the Thaiyalnayaki shrine and dispersed.Another prasadam provided here is sandal paste referred to as Nettirapidi Chandanam.Lord Shiva at this temple is swayambumurthi.
Mangala, sometimes called Angaraka, is a fierce god with four hands. He is thought to be the son of Prithvi or Bhumi, the Earth Goddess. He is of Tamas Guna in nature and indicates Energetic action, confidence and ego. Mars is described to as a ‘hot planet’ and guardian of Dharma. He holds weapons in his two hands while the other two hands are held in abhaya and varada mudras. Mesha rashi (Medam) and Vrischika Rashi (Vrischigam) (Aries and Scorpio signs) are controlled by Mangala or planet Mars. He oversees the muscles system of the body an also rules over nose, forehead and circulatory systems. His vehicle is Ram (a species of sheep) and his color is red. The day of Mangala or Mars is Tuesday and gemstone is coral.
Temple: Pullirukkuvelur Vaitheeswaran Koil located near Sirkazhi in Tamilnadu is one of the prominent temples of Mangala or Kujan.
Mool Mantra: “Om kram kreem kroum sah bhaumaya namah”
It is located 7 kilometers from Sirkazhi, 235 kilometers from Chennai, 27 km from Chidambaram, 110 km from Thanjavur and 16 km from Mayiladuthurai.
