Vaitheeswaran Koil is my family’s “kula deivam”. A few months back my uncle told me about Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple near Vaitheeswaran Koil and mentioned that we should first pray at that temple before we offer prayers at Vaitheeswaran Koil. I visited this temple at Mannipallam village, in August 2010 and it was partially built. The main deity is Vaithyanatha Swamy and His consort here is Thayyalnayaki. Mannipallam village is about 6 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil. This village is about 2 to 3 kms from Thirupungur. Enquiries with the locals to know more about the temple drew a blank. I had an opportunity to visit this temple again in early October 2010. I enquired at Vaitheeswaran Koil and one of the priests told me that there were in fact five Vaithyanatha Swamy temples around Vaitheeswaran Koil and that they had featured in the latest edition of Sakthi Vikatan. Someone overheard my conversation with the priest and directed me to the temple office and meet Mr. Ramani, who is an electrician there. Mr. Ramani hails from Mannipallam and what he told me was very painful. He said that the village people could not rebuild the temple due to lack of funds and the temple was in ruins for a long time.
Adhi Vaithyanatha Swamy, Mannipallam
Shivalingam found below the main Shivalaingam
He was not sure if there were any tablets/inscriptions available to authenticate that this was the original site of Vaitheeswaran Koil. “Most of the granite slabs with the inscriptions have been used by the villagers in their paddy fields to build bunds. Some others have been taken away to be used in washing the clothes”. Some of the idols from here had been removed and used in some nearby temples. He said that anti social elements started using the temple premises for their nefarious activities. According to Mr. Ramani, on one occasion when a village elder questioned these people’s behaviour, one of those hooligans smashed the idol of Ambal with a heavy object and Ambal’s hand was broken in the process. Within a fortnight or so of this incident, the person whose broke Ambal’s idol was involved in an accident and lost one of his hands. This, according to Mr. Ramani, made the villagers believe very strongly in the temple Deity. The villagers then decided that the temple has to be re-built. Efforts towards this was initiated around 2002.
Ambal at Adhi Vaithyanatha Swamy temple Mannipallam
When they started to re-build this temple and the Shiva Lingam was removed, they found a second Shiva Lingam below this. Both the Shiva Lingams are now present in this temple. Mr. Ramani gave me the contact details of one Mr. Paramanathan, also a native of this village and a TN State Govt official. Mr. Paramanathan has been the champion for building the temple. Over the last eight years or so there has not been much progress made, mainly due to lack of funds.
Main Gopuram Seen from Vaithyanatha Swamy’s shrine
View of the Gopuram
They have not actively sought the help of others and have been managing only within their own resources.
Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy, Vimanam
Nandi at Adhi Vaithyanatha swamy temple, Mannipallam
Mr. Paramanathan can be contacted on +91-9444526253.
I appeal to my readers to send in their contributions for rebuilding this ancient temple. Please do tell your like minded friends and relatives about this temple. I am posting some snaps that I took at this temple and also some printed material in Tamil that was sent to me by Mr. Paramanathan.
Below are the printed materials that I have received from Mr. Paramanathan. I request my blogger friends to post this information on their blogs to help reach out to more people. Thank you all in anticipation.
About Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple in Tamil
About Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple in Tamil 2
About the temple with appeal for contributions
Contributions towards maintenance of the temple may be sent to the following:
Sri AdhiVaithiyanathar Thiruppani Vaippunidhi
IOB A/c 020601000020427
Vaitheeswaran Koil
IFSC Code 10000206
Temple Location
Click here for the Location of the Temple
This temple is located at a distance of about 6 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil and about 2 Kms from Thirupungur.
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Other Nearby Temples:
Boarding & Lodging:
Have your travel base at Mayiladuthurai or Vaitheeswaran Koil.
Some Pictures from my trip to the temple in December 2012