KETHU BHAGAWAN Temple

Overview

The Kethu temple is a Navagraha Sthalam located at Keezhaperumpallam in Thanjavur district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Kethu. The main Idol of this temple is Lord Shiva as "Naganathaswamy" and Goddess Parvathi as "Soundaranayagi" blessing in this temple. The temple is situated in Small village and located on the Cauvery river which near to Poompuhar. Kethu Bhagavan is the shadow planet seen with snake head and a human body. The temple is the parihara sthalam to get rid of Kethu Dhosam. Varuna theertham, Thamirabarani River and Naga theertham is the holy tank in this temple. The idol of Kethu is visible as Siver serpent through the entrance. The place of this temple is also called as Vanagiri. Appar , Sundarar, Sambandhar sung songs in this temple. This temple is constructed on 12th century A.D. This temple is an important tourist and pilgrimage centre in Tamilnadu.

About the Temple

The temple has a 2-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakaram(closed precincts of a temple). There is no Navagraha shrine in the temple as Kethu has all the prominence. However, there are two Sun idols and a Saturn idol in the temple. Pujas are performed to one Sun during the Utharayayana Punyakala covering January-February to June-July and to the other Sun during the Dakshinayana Punyakala covering July-August to December-January.

About the Deity

Legend goes that Kethu was birth as Asura and he called as Swaryabanu in his young age. His father was Vibarachithu and Mother was Simgigai. His spouse name is Chitralekha. By Lord Vishnu's anger, Kethu is seen as in snake head with human body. His head became dark coloured snake. Rahu and Kethu were the twins and universe planets than other planets. Lord Kethu is red in colour and decorated with red lilly flower and red dresses. The effect of Kethu will create hindrance in one's effort, poverty, enemy, ill health, devil spirits, loss of property, loss of face etc. If Lord Kethu in birth chart shown good means, they will improve in financial position, good health, mental peace, happiness, success in court case, benefits from foreign countries, motcham, property, sight, land, gold, unexpected property gains, good eyesight, vehicle, fame, wife, childrens, knowledge and business. Tuesday is the best day to worship Kethu Bhagavan and fasting on this day.

Devotees, while fasting should avoid salt and spices on that day. The Devotees prayed Lord Kethu for certain effects such as "Naga Dhosam" , Puthira Dhosam, Kethu Dhosam, Mangalya Dhosam offered pooja for Lord Kethu. Lord Kethu chariot's drawn by ten horses. Kethu is also called as angry god and tall in stature. He is dark in colour, so he called as "Kaala". The Vahana for Kethu Bhagavan is Eagle and the grain associated for him is Kollu (Horse Gram). His favourites gem is Vaidooriyam (Cat's eye) and food id rice mixed with Kollu powder. The adi devathai of Lord Kethu is Chitraguptan. He did not rule any zodiac sign. The holy tree of this temple is "Bamboo tree". Kethu was very strong with some other planets.

If Shukra is favourably placed, Kethu make a person rich, If guru, Kethu make the students brilliant in nature. But Rahu is powerful than Kethu. The abhishegam is performed daily at 8.30 am and offered 6 times poojas per day. The temple opens daily during Rahu kalam and Emaganda kalam. Every Pradhosams, there was special pooja in this temple.

Legend and Stories

During the churning of the milk ocean, Vasuki the serpent used as the rope for the purpose got exhausted and spat its venom. Devas ran to Lord Shiva for protection from the impact of the spreading poison. Lord swallowed the poison and protected the world. Vasuki felt guilty that it had caused Lord Shiva to swallow its poison and performed penance seeking Lord’s pardon. Lord gave darshan to Vasuki and admired its sense of sacrifice. Vasuki begged Lord Shiva to stay in the place. Lord obliged Vasuki and stayed here named after the serpent-Naga – Naganathar.

History of Keezhaperumpallam Temple

Once, Lord Vishnu disguised as "Mohini" and distributing Amrutham to the Devas in Milky ocean. It was the time, Swaryabanu was the asuran consumed the nectar from Amrutham. Lord Surya and Chandra noticed and informed to Mohini. Mohini got angry and hit the asura's head heavily with spoon.

The head flew away and joined with snake's body. This snake body and human head called as "Rahu Bhagavan". Then the snake head flew away and joined with asura's body, he called as "Kethu Bhagavan". By this happening, Kethu prayed to Lord Naganathaswamy in this temple to get rid of his sins. Lord Shiva blessed him to stay in this temple. Rahu with 5 headed snake and folded hands by worshipping Lord Shiva in this temple.

Festivals

Shivrathri in February-March; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Panguni Vasuki Utsav in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Special Rituals

Pujas are performed to planet Kethu at Rahukalas and Yemakanda Kala times. 90 minutes each day is covered by these times. There will be 16 types of abishek and homas with a nivedhana made of gram powder, salt and pepper in rice. Vastras are offered in different colours. They light lamps with gingely oil. The nivedhana should be distributed in the temple to visitors and should not be taken home. Kethu worship is followed on Mondays and birth star days.

On the Rahu-Kethu transition day, a special Homa is organized by the Archakas-priests-of the temple. There is no fee for participating in the puja. According to numerology, No. 7 belongs to Kethu. 16 types (1+6=7) of pujas are performed chanting 7 lakh mantras. Preparations made of Kollu and sweets made of this grain, porridge, vada, choornam, rice, pudding-pongal – all made with kollu are offered in the Homa Fire. Devotees offer 16 types of Dhans (alms) to Brahmins. Feeding also is organized to 7000 devotees this day. Devotees offer all the things needed for this occasion to the temple in advance.

Significance

Those suffering from gastric troubles, neurological setbacks, lacking courage and those aspiring progress in trade and undertakings, seeking unity and prosperity in family and longevity and welfare of succeeding generations pray to Lord Naganathaswami and planet Kethu. They perform milk abishek on their birth star days with nivedhana and offer vastras in different colours.

Kethu Moola Mantra

Aum Hrim Krum Krura Rupine Kethave Aim Suh Svaha

Kethu Gayathri Mantra

Aum Chitravarnaya Vidhmahe, Sarparoopaya Dhimahi, Tanno Kethu Prachodayath

Nearby Places to Visit

1. Kayaroganeswarar Temple
2. Thanthondreeswarar Temple
3. Neelakandeswarar Temple
4. Pallavaneswarar Temple
5. Aranyeswarar Temple
6. Uthavedeeswarar Temple

Accessibility

The nearest airport is at Trichy. The nearest major railhead is at kumbakonam. The nearest major bus terminal is at kumbakonam. One can reach Keezhperumpallam from Kumbakonam.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Naganathaswamy temple, Sri Kethusthalam,
Keezhaperumpallam, Kumbakonam Taluk,
Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu,
Pin code - 609117.