High medieval · Hindu · India

Vaitheeswaran Koil

Vaitheeswaran Koil (Pullirukkuvelur), Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu · 11.1970°, 79.7125°

Vaidyanathar (Shiva, the divine healer), with ThaiyalnayagiChola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

1000 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

11th-12th c. (Chola); Nayak and Maratha additions

Chola

History & significance

The temple of Shiva as the 'god of healing', a Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of the nine Navagraha temples, associated with Mars (Angaraka). Inscriptions run from Kulothunga Chola I, with later endowments by Pandya, Nayak and Maratha rulers.

Sthala katha — the legend

The planet-god Angaraka, stricken with leprosy, is said to have been cured here by Vaidyanatha, and so the shrine became his Navagraha seat.

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Sources

Wikipedia

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chola