The water of this temple is believed to cure even the gravest of ailments

Indian temples are no less than houses of miracles. From healing the sick to rejuvenating the sad, the energy, positivity, and the vibes of a temple can do it. And in India, people visit temples not just to pray and appease the Gods, but also to heal themselves from within. Be it a visit to the temple for inner peace, or a visit to get rid of an ailment, people do it all. In fact, from the holy waters of the Ganga river, to the prasad offered at different temples, for people, all of them are healers sent by God.

Indians drive themselves on faith and miracles, and temples across India have had some form of miraculous power and story of faith. There are idols that turn boiling water cold, murtis that bleed when they are touched too hard, temples where evil starts leaving a person’s body, and even festivals where menstruation is celebrated.
And so overtime, people have come to believe that touching certain idols, drinking sacred water, or applying temple offerings like ash or flowers to their body can heal them and make them a better human.

While every temple, no matter how big or small, has the power to heal people from the inside, some are known for their powers and their ability to change and improve people.
For example, the Mehandipur Balaji temple in Rajasthan is believed to cure people suffering from possession and negative energies. The Baidyanath temple heals people and cures their diseases and ailments. And some people also believe that in the Chottanikkara Bhagwati temple people suffering from mental illnesses will find relief.

And another temple in the healing list is the Vaitheeswarankoil, in Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple has his energies in the form of Vaitheeswaran, the Divine Healer. And Vaitheeswarankoil also means ‘the temple of the divine physician.’
People from across the country visit the temple as they believe that the sacred water of the temple can cure them of ailments like leprosy and other health conditions.

There are ‘n’ number of legends and stories associated with the temple but the most famous one is that of Angaraka, or Mars, one of the Navagrahas. It is believed by people that Angaraka was healed of leprosy in this temple by praying to Vaitheeswaran.
The healing water
One of the most famous ponds in the temple is the Siddhamrutha Theertham, a sacred tank that is believed to have healing water. Many devotees believe that taking a dip in this water can wash away diseases and ailments, both physical and mental. In fact, people also carry this water back home for their relatives and family who are suffering from any illness.
The unique offerings
Another distinct and unique characteristic of the temple is that while in some temples people offer flowers, coconuts, or sweets, in Vaitheeswarankoil people offer jaggery, salt, and pepper. Until a few years ago, people also dissolved the jaggery in the pond as it was believed to bestow good health upon the devotee.