About Chevvai Temple

Our puranas state that when Lord Siva and mother Uma had parted and were living separate, Chevvai was born from the sweat that fell upon the ground from mother Uma’s forehead. There is also a different version in which Chevvai is the son of sage Bharathwaja and was brought up by Mother Earth. In Machapurana,it is told that Veerabadra who was created from the third eye of Lord Siva, destroyed the yaga of Daksha. The Devas were terrified of the havoc wrought by Veerabadra who grew conscious of this fear, transformed himself into Chevvai.

Chevvai rides upon the Annam bird. He is of reddish form. His seats in triangular. His flag has a goat as the emblem. His golden Chariot is pulled by eight horses. Chevvai is of great austerity.

His body is the flame of yoga, he is skilled in all the subtler arts. Chevvai is to the south of Suriyan. His demeanour is smiling and pleasant; he has four arms, three of which have weapons of war and one shows aposture of harbourage. His names are :Kuja, Bowman and Bhumiputhran.

The Propitiation of Chevvai Dhosa

Chevvai is the Lord of Aries and Scorpio, the period of his influence is seven years. He is propitiated for the troubles associated with one’s siblings for the repayment of loans associated with house and land, for the cure of the rheumatism and arthritis, for the removal of hurdles which obstruct marriage, for the healing up wounds, injuries, tumours and fractures. Chevvai is propitiated by prayers to lord Murugan by wearing a red dress and the Gemstone Pavazha, fasting on Tuesdays. Chevvai grants land, velour, strength and happiness to his devotee. He also makes a man large-hearted, courageous and unswerving in his purpose.

Vaidheeswarankoil

The Temple of Pullirikkuvelur

The Temple of Pullirikkuvelur popularly known as Vaidheeswarar temple is a magnificent structure which these days has many stores of coconut and flowers, lining up the way of approach, salt, jaggery, mustard and pepper are sold in those shops. Jaggery and salt are dissolved the water of the temple for the dissolution of tumors and mustard and pepper are given to the temple so that warts, lumps and other abnormal growth on the skin are removed.

One enter his temple through a seven tiered tower, then one goes into ThirumadapathiMandapam and the Sabamandapam in which there is a magnificent sculpture of an elephant. There are sanctum for Lord Vinayaga and Muruga. Every year in the month of Karthika, Lord Muruga is bathed with the paste of sandalwood. Lord Muruga himself being a most beautiful form, need one describe the perfect splendor of the sight of the lord applied with the sandalwood paste! One enters through the Eastern towers and comes to the Sanctum of Chevvai. Against the large tank called as Chitramirtha Treetham is the sanctum of mother Thaiyalnayaki. Lord Siva as Vaidyanathan in a separate sanctum is by the side of the holy mother Periyanayaki.

Next to the sanctum of Muthukumarasamy is the shrine of Gajalakshmi. In the Nataraja Saba there are the idols of mother Sivakami, Manikavasakar and KaraikalAmmayar. After these, the sculpture of the four vedas, Amaravathy,Kailasanathar, MeenakshiSundareswar,Viswanathar have been established. There is also a sanctum for mother Durga. Awell from which holy waters flow is also in the temple. The Navagrahas unlike in other temples, are in row. Near Bairavan are Ramar, Sadayu, Murugar, Suriyan and Chevvai. Of the 18 holy siddhas ‘Dhanvantari’ belongs to this temple. There is also the ashes of Sadayu, for whom Ramar fulfilled the last rites. Sattanathar is to be found in a canopy. The sixty three saints who served lord Siva are also worshipped in this temple. There is a separate idol of Chevvai. To propitiate Chevvai for their doshas puja is done here. On the evenings of each Tuesday, Chevvai comes round the temple, seated upon the goat.

Next to the sanctum of Somasundhar is the sanctum of divine mother. The mother looks very compassionate. Her glance is enough to cure on of any ill from which one suffers. Prasad is being given here which were brought home one worshipped as an effective cure of all diseases. One should ideally visit this temple at least once a year to bath in the Chitramirthatheertham and worship the lord. A healthy life is assured for such a devotee.

Location :About 6 km South of Sirkazhi, on the way to Mayiladuthurai.

Reigning Deity :Lord Vaidhiyanathar with ThaiyalNayagi.

Holy Water :ChithamirthaTheertham.

Holy Tree :Vembu or Neem tree.

Poet saints: Sambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar, Arunakiriyar, Kumara Kurubarar, PadikkasuThambiran, ChidambaraMunivar, Kalameghappulavar.

The Greatness of the Shrine : The temple is known for the sanctum of chevvai. It has three great deities-lord Murugan as Muthukumarsamy, Vaidyanathar and mother Thayyalnayagi. Siva is worshipped only after the midnight pujas are offered to Muthukumarsamy. There is assaying in Tamil which goes “The most beautiful of the lamps is the lamp lighted to the one who makes an end to causes(Lord Vaidhyanathar)”. Prayers offered towards this temple are very efficacious and fructify immediately.

Hymn

Lord of Speech, bravery and courage in the court,
Lord of Health, skills and valour in the battle,
Lord of Strength, bestower of victory,
Son of Kusa, I praise thy holy feet.