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History:
There are many places where Angaaraga Bhagavan
(Sevvaai) has offered worship. Among these, the place that needs special
mention is Thirupullirukku Veloor (Vaitheeswaran Kovil). The
temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or
Vaidhyanadha Swamy. His Consort is known as Thaiyal Nayaki. Unlike most other
temples that are known by the presiding deity, Lord Muruga is a celebrated
deity in Vaitheeswaran Koil. Though the name Vaidhyanadhan is associated with
Lord Shiva, poet Arunagiri-nadhar prefers to call Muruga by that name in one of
his verses, known for the beauty of their rhythm. 'varathurai nIdharkku oru
sEyE, vayiththiya naadhap perumaale,' is how he addresses Lord Subramanya in
Thiruppugazh (urath thurai bOdhath thaniyaana). The Dharumapuram Adhinam has
made several endowments to this temple. Lord Rama cremated Jatayu here.
Inscriptions from the period of Vikrama
Chola (12th century CE), the Nayakas (16th century CE) and the Mahrathas (18th
century) are seen in this temple.
About Mars - Planet of all energies:
Mars faces the south, and Lord Dhandayuthapani who is
in the east facing Mars. Mars is regarded as a God of martial character, red in
every aspect. Even the Romans held him as their Guru. He is the Son of Earth
and is ruled by Lord Subramanya. In India mars has also been worshiped as god.
Mars(Sevvai), the God of War. If regularly worshipped, Mars is said to bestow
on devotees, great physical strength. The Poojas performed to sevvai here are
believed to cure prolonged diseases. Sevvai also known, as Angarakan is present
in two forms namely, Moolavar and Ursavar Mars is worshiped on Tuesdays.
About Temple:
It is hailed as one of the 9 Navagraha Stalams, sacred
to Mars - Angarakan it is visited by thousands. It is located in close
proximity to Sirkazhi and Chidambaram.  The temple is enshrined
at the centre of the town with tall and imposing granite walls surrounding it.
The temple has three gopurams. The main tower, an imposing structure, is on the
western side. On the eastern side, there is an equally imposing gopuram. The
third tower on the northern side is relatively smaller. On the south, we have
the temple tank, known as the Sidhdha-amrita-theertham, whose water is
considered divine and is believed to cure many incurable diseases. For some
strange reason there are no frogs, nor there are snakes in and around the tank.
Legend has it that sage Sadhananda was meditating in the banks of the tank when
a frog, chased by a snaked, leaped on him. It is said that he ordained that no
frogs or snakes should be found in the vicinity of the tank.
There are two big prakarams - corridors
- with inner corridors surrounding the shrines of the presiding deity,
Vaidhyanadha and His Consort, Thaiyal Nayaki. Vaidhyanadha is facing the west
while Thaiyal Nayaki is facing the south. There are several minor deities
installed along the corridors. Two dwajasthambas, (flag staff) one golden and
the other silver, are installed in the corridor.
On the northern side, under the smaller
tower, is installed the deity of Muruga, who is known as Selva
Muthukumaraswami. He received his 'vel', the spear with which he killed
Surapadman, from Shakthi in Vaitheeswaran Koil. Interestingly, the 'vel'
represents Him to many of his devotees and there are several temples where one
can find a separate shrine for the divine spear, which is worshipped as a deity
by itself.
Features:
Murugan is the ruler of Mars, and Mars is said to have
offered prayers to Him here. Hence the place is famous for both Murugan and
Mars. Thus, Mars occupies an important place in the Hindu mythology.
The Angaaraka shrine here is also of
great significance and is indeed unique to this temple. A bronze of image of
Angaaraka is housed in this shrine and is taken out in procession on a goat
mount every Tuesday. Angaaraka represents the planet Mars and is described as
one with a fiery red  complexion attired in
red and as the overlord of the zodiac signs of Aries and Scorpia and as being
the strongest in the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
Rig Vedam (Irukku), Jatayu (Pull),
Sambadi, the Surya (Oor) and Skanda (Vel) are said to have worshipped Shiva
here and hence the name PullirukkuVelur..Rama Lakshmana and the Saptarishis are
also said to have worshipped Shiva here. It is also believed that Rama
performed the last rites to Jatayu here. The nectar with which the Sidhas
worshipped Shiva is said to have flown into the Sidhamrita Theertham.
The sthala vriksham here is vembu. The
sacred pond is called 'Siddhamirdha Theertham'. It is believed that if one
takes a dip in this pond every Tuesday and worships lord Muruga, they will
achieve their goals and lead a peaceful life.
The holy ashes of Jatayu pit, present
inside the temple and the Marundhu urundai sold in the temple are believed to
have special powers to cure all kinds of diseases
Deities:
Vaidyanathaswamy and ThaiyalNayaki are the presiding
deities of this temple. The Selvamuthukkumaraswamy shrine here is also
considered to be of importance. There are Shivalingams said to have been
worshipped by Rama, Jatayu, Skanda, Surya and Angaraka and Angarakan.
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