Navagraha Temples - Mangala

Information about Mangala (Mars) graha

Temple Information:

Temple Name: VAITHEESWARANKOIL [VAIDH (Cure Provider) + ISHWARAN (God/Lord) + KOIL (Temple)]
Deity at place (Sthala devata): Shri Vaidyanath
Goddess: Thaiyal Nayaki
Ganapati: Karpaga Vinayaka
Graha name: Angarakan (Chevvai in Tamil)
Village Location: Vaitheeswarankoil, Tamil Nadu 609117, India

How to reach the Temple:

This place is located on SIRKAZHI – MAYILADUTHURAI highway.

History of Mangala Graha Temple:

According to scriptures, this place was originally known in history as PULLIRUKKUVELUR [PULL (name of Jatayu) + IRUKKU (Rig Veda) + VEL (Murugan/ Kartikeyan Swami) + UR (Village)]  i.e. town where Jatayu fought with Ravana to protect Sita, and where Brahma created Rig Veda, and where Vel (weapon of Lord Muruga) is worshiped.

Reportedly, all Vedas were initially Brahmin/ Human Being/ God.

All 3 (Jatayu, Rig Veda and Murugan) have worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. Besides these three, Parvati and Angarakan have also worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Rig Veda worshiped here and got rid of his deficiency. 

Also at this place, Lord Shreeram cremated Jatayu (mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan). Jatayu fought with Ravana to protect Sita and in that battle lost his life. 

Also at this place, Lord Murugan got the sacred spear (Vel), from Parvati, for annihilation (samhar) of demon ShuraPadhman. It is believed that Gods who were injured in the battle with ShuraPadhman were cured by Lord Shiva while His Consort Parvati helped by attending/ nursing them at this place. The name VAITHEESWARAN signifies the nature of work done here by ShivaShakti as a VAIDH – healing/ tending to wounds, restoration of health/ well-being, providing cure/ remedy.

There used to be 18 sacred ponds (Punya Teerth) here, some of which are not traceable. Some of the known ones are
1. SiddhaAmritTeerth – the first teerth created by KAMADHENU.
2. GoDandTeerth – (Dand = Bow/Stick) According to mythology, Shree Ram had taken a bath here when He was en route to Lanka.
3. GautamTeerth – Created by Gautam Muni (Sage).
4. BilwaTeerth, 
and so on.

History of Mangala Graha:

According to scriptures, Lord Shiva was in meditation on Meru mountain. From His Third Eye, a drop of water fell on Earth and transformed into an extremely beautiful boy. Mother Earth
took him into Her care and raised that child. At a very tender age, the boy performed penance and received boon from Lord Shiva – 1) His Darshan and 2) designation of a Graham.

Importance of Mangala Graha:
Mangala graha is lord (swami) of Mesha and Vrishchik rashi. Mithun and Kanya rashi are enemies of Mangala whereas Dhanu and Meen are his friends. In horoscope, Mangala graha is responsible (to make happen) for status of brother, land, house, courage to face the enemy/ adversity, winning a battle and for those diseases that are caused by fire and for making one a debtor.

Mangala Mahadasha is for 7 years.

Nivritti (Absolution) from Mangala Dosha:
If a person is Mangalik, i.e has Mangala Graha Dosha, he/she has to wear red dress or red coral.

Naivaideya: Mix Toor-dal powder with rice and distribute it.
Naivaideya is always cooked. Uncooked is given as daan.
Fasting on Kritika nakshatra is recommended. Salt and Black-Pepper offerings are made to Mangala.

NavaGraha Aspect/ Characteristics Summary – Mangala (Mars):

#	Navagraha Aspect	Mars
1	Consort	Shakti Devi
2	Cloth color	Red / Maroon
3	Gender	Male
4	Element	Fire
5	God	Subramanya
6	Mounts	Ram (male goat)
7	Presiding Deity	Murugan / Kumaran
8	Metal	Brass / Copper
9	Gemstone	Red Coral
10	Body Part	Marrow
11	Taste	Acidic
12	Grain	Red Gram
13	Season	Summer
14	Graha deities face this direction	South
15	Flower	Magnolia / Champa
16	Kshetra vruksha (tree)	Babul/Acacia Arabica
17	Week day	Tuesday
18	Sound	Re

Rangoli for Mangala Graha: 
To be drawn when worshiping Mars god

Mantra for Mangala Graha:
Below is mantra for Mars god.