Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple

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 Mannimangalam 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. Click here to read more...