Kayaroganeswarar Temple

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Overview

The Kayarohanaswami Temple at Nagapatinam, Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Lord Siva. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Kayarohana and his consort is Nilayathakshi. The temple is an ancient Hindu shrine belonging to the 6th century AD. The temple finds mention in the compositions of the Nayanmars Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. The temple has been constructed by the Lakolisa cult which originated in Gujarat, which has one another temple in Kancheepuram, TamilNadu. The idol of Saint Thyagaraja in the temple is made of lapis lazuli.

About the temple

Emperor Mushukunda is said to have received seven Lingas from Indira in return for the favor rendered by him. These Lingas were small (Vidanga) in size. The Emperor is believed to have installed the Linga in seven holy places called the Saptha Vidanga sthalas. This temple is one such Sthalas which has a beautiful Linga made of a precious Ruby. Thus the Lord here is rightly called Sundara (beautiful) Vidangar. There is a separate shrine devoted to Saint Thyagaraja which is located on the right of the main sanctum sanctorum of Kayarohana Swamy. Devotees can view only the face of Thiagaraja Swamy in most temples of the state. But this temple stands unique in a way, since Thiagaraja Swamy is seen elegantly dressed and displaying his right hand and feet, during the auspicious days of Vaikasi Visaka and Margazhi Tiruvadirai. The deity is brought to the streets in procession during these days, in a dancing movement waving his hands to and fro. This dance is referred to as Paara Vaara Natanam.

Neelayadakshi is the Ambikai presentt in this temple. The deity’s eyes are said to have penetrating blue eyes, reflecting the colour and depth of the sea. Hence the Ambikai is said to have got the name Neelayadakshi. She is also referred to as ‘Karundhadanganni’ in Tamil, which literally means ‘the one with merciful eyes’. The Ambigai has a separate shrine devoted just to her, with a flag post called the ‘Kodi Maram’. Neelayadakshi Ambigai graces as a virgin Goddess in those temple. The festival of Aadi Pooram is considered auspicious for the ambigai and is celebrated with great pomp. Her shrine is designed as a Rath. The goddess is brought in procession on auspicious days over the Rath made wholly of crockery ware.

Since Neelayadakshi Ambigai is said to be a virgin goddess, Lord Shiva is said to have sent Nandhi Deva to guard her and protect her sanity. But Nandhi is said to have expressed his wish to stay with the Lord forever. Hence the Lord is said to have made an arrangement for Nandi dev to get his divya darshan, even when guarding the Ambigai. This is the reason why the Nandhi dev in the temple appears with its neck turned towards Lord, with one eye on Ambigai and other one on the Lord Kayarohaneshwarar. Thus the Nandhi here got to be referred to as ‘Irattai Parvai in Tamil. Praying the Nandi Dev in this temple is said to relieve devotees of their eye ailments.

It is a general custom to temporarily shut the temple, on the death of a person living near the temple. This temple follows the tradition of presenting the Vastras and garland of the Lord on the dead corpse, as a mark of respect to the decrease soul. A fisherman named Adhipathar is said to have attained salvation here, at the holy feet of Lord Shiva. Marking this event and as a respect to the fishermen community, this particular practice is followed even now in this temple. The body of the deceased is placed before the temple, without closing the doors. The garland and the vastras used by the Lord are placed on the body of the corpse.

Usually during the time of festival processions, the deities are taken around the Mada Veedhis (Streets) before returning back to the temple. But procession of the Lord here, is said to visit seven places namely Poigainallur, Poravacherry, Sikkal, Palur, Vadagudi, Thethi and Nagoor. Maharaja Salija is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva and performed holy pujas at all these seven places. Thus this practice is followed in this temple too.

Lord Shiva usually is said to come in procession over the Vrushab vahan during Pradosham days. Contradicting to this practise, Lord Vishnu too accompanies Lord Shiva in the guise of Mohini in this temple. According to Hindu Mythology, when the milk ocean was churned, Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohininis said to have served the nectar got, to the Devas. The Devas failed to pray Lord Shiva who is believed to have swallowed the Halahala poison to save the world. Realizing their folly, they begged Lord Shiva do pardoning them. The merciful God is said to have forgiven their mistakes and danced over the Nandhi Dev. This dance took place during the Pradosham time. Lord Vishnu’s Mohini Avtar had taken place a little before this time. This particular Vishnu darshan is available to the devotees only on the Pradosham days.

Legends say that King Dasaratha on knowing that Shami Bhagvan (Planet Saturn) would be splitting the star Rohini, causing severe famine in his country. He had planned to fight a war with Shani Bhagvan to prevent him from doing so. But Surya Bhagvan (Sun God) advised Dasaratha to drop his plan and instead beg Shani Deva to change his transit route, in public interest. Shani Bhagvan is said to have admired the initial plan of war that Dhasratha wanted to wage, in order to save his subjects. This self-less motive of Dasaratha is said to have impressed Shani Bhagvan and he is said to have changed his transit route. Remembering this event, all the nine planets (Navagrahas) in this temple are seen facing the direction west of the Lord.

According to another legend, Fisherman Athipathar is believed to have been a staunch Shiva devotee. He had the practice of offering his first catch to the beloved Lord. Even at a stage when he was getting only one fish each day, he did not break away from his commitment. He still offered them to Lord and returned home without any catch. One day he is said to have got a golden fish. Though everyone prevented him from throwing it into the sea as an offering to Lord, he stood by his conviction and threw it into the sea. The God was overwhelmed by his devotion and awarded him with salvation (Moksh). He is also considered one among the 63 Nayanmars of Shivite cult. The event is celebrated on the day of Ayilyam star in the Tamil month Aavani, (August-September). The story of Athipathar is depicted during this festival, where the idol of Athipathar being taken in catamaran to the sea where fishermen place two gold fishes in a net representing the catch. The idol of Lord Shiva is then brought to the sea shore. Athipathar is seen performing pujas to Lord Shiva with the golden fishes. Lord Shiva is then believed to graces Athipathar with his divine darshan.

There was once a Siddhar (holy man) in this place called the Azhuguni Chithar. Just like how a child cries adamantly to its mother for getting something, this Siddar is said to have cried adamantly before Mother Neelayadakshi in this shrine, demanding salvation. He was the disciple of Gorakka Siddha. The beloved mother Neelayadakshi was moved by his act and is said to have recommended Lord Shiva to grant salvation to Azhuguni Chithar. The Lord is also said to have accepted the request and granted Salvation. The Jeeva Samadhi of Azhuguni Chiddar is seen inside temple. Various rituals are performed to the Samadhi of this Siddar on the day of Vaikasi Visakam. Sweet porridge (Payasam in Tamil) is offered to the devotees as nivedhana on all poornima or the full moon days.

There is a shrine in this temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka who graces the devotees, wearing a serpent around his body. Lord Vinaka is worshipped as Nagabarana Vinayaka in this temple. Devotees facing serpent dhoshas perform milk abishek to Nagabarna Vinayaka at Rahu Kalam times to get relieved from the adversity. Special pujas are also performed here for pleasing the planets from the bad effects caused due to their transition in the zodiac circle.

Lord Bhairava who generally appears with his vahana dog, has a Lion( Simha) as his vahan here. Goddess Ganga Devi along with Lord Bhairava is said to have appeared when Sage Pundarika worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Bairava is gracing as Kala Samhara Bhairava in this temple. The Simha vahan lies behind him. Since Lord Kala Bhairava is facing the direction South, devotees pray to him for longevity of life. As he looks furious (Ugra moorthi), two siddhi Vinayaka idols are installed in front of him. There is a separate shrine for Devi Ashta Bhuja (eight hands) Kali in this temple.

The deities for the eight directions have their due place in the temple. Mother Gajalakshmi is seen in the sitting posture, gracing the devotees with two elephants. Lord Dakshinamurthi is in the ghoshta wall with his four disciples. Since the temple is situated on a sea shore, it is considered that Lord Shiva is the king ruling that region. Thus the place is also called Shiva Rajadhani, which means the capital of Shiva Kingdom.

The temple is greatly praised by the three celebrated saints Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns. Sundarar received gifts of pearl and diamond chains, a horse and cosmetic things. Sages Markandeya, Gauthama, Vasishta, Kashyapa, Pulasthya, Agasthya and Angirasa (Saptha Rishis) had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Behind the Linga in the sanctum sanctorum is the Somaskanda form of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva comes to the sea for a bath on the Masi Magam day in February-March.

The temple has a shrine devoted to Lord Muruga who has 12 arms with various weapons. He is praised in the Tirupugazh hymns of saint Arunagirinathar. The event of sage Pundarika entering the shrine of Lord Shiva and merging with him is celebrated during the Arthajama Puja (the last puja of the day) on the Ayilyam star day in the month of Aani-June-July. Sri Chandikeswara shrine is on the side of prakara.

Legends and Stories

Sage Pundarika, on the advice of Sage Kanwa is said to have performed penance to please Lord Shiva, seeking salvation. Offering his divine darshan, the Lord had embraced the sage, granting him salvation. On attaining salvation, one’s soul is believed to get merged with the Lord. But in this case, the Lord embraced the body (Kayam in Tamil) with that of the Sage (Aaroganam). Hence the deity is said to have got the name Kayaroganeswarar.

The Nagaraja (King of serpents) had prayed this deity and is said to have been blessed with a girl child. The child had a abnormality of having three breasts at birth. The king was saddened to see the state of the child. Lord Shiva is believed to have assured the serpent king that one of those breasts will disappear when a king of Surya dynasty visited his place. When king Shalisuhan came to his kingdom, the girl’s abnormality is said to have disappeared. The joyful Maharaja (serpent king) gave his daughter to Shalisuhan in marriage. Since the Naga Raja is believed to have worshipped this deity, the place came to be called Nagai Karonam. At present, it is called Nagapattinam.

Festivals

The wedding ceremony of the Lord and Goddess is performed in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June). Aadi Pooram festival is celebrated during three months between July and August; Shivrathri in celebrated in the month February-March; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Tirukarthikai in November-December. The above festivals celebrated in the temple amidst much pomp and zeal.

How To Reach Kayaroganeswarar Temple

Road

The temple is 2 km from Nagapattinam bus stand.

Railways

The Nearest Railway station is Nagapattinam.

Airport

The nearest airport is located at Trichy.

Temple Address