Nageswaran Temple

Overview

The Nageswaran Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Kumbakonam. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Thevaram and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king and is located in the centre of Kumbakonam.

About the Temple

The deity in this temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 27th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns the temple was surrounded by bushes. It was the year 1923. A Shiva devotee, Padagacherry Ramalingaswamy collected funds by tying a brass bowl around his neck begging all. He renovated the temple with the funds he thus collected little by little. He also conducted the consecration of the temple. The next consecration took place in 1959 and finally again in 1988. Lord Nageswara is seated on a big Avudayar. He is small in size. The Sun God prays to Lord with his rays on Panguni 11, 12 and 13 in March. People pray to Lord Nageswara on Mondays and Thursdays for relief from the adverse aspect of serpent planet Rahu delaying marriage and child boon. Mother Periyanayaki graces the devotees with Her blessing hand-Abhaya Karam. The reputation of the temple is in its Pralayakala Rudra Shrine-Sannidhi. There are also shrines for Mother Vishnu Durga and Sun.

About The deity

The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Nageswarar/ Naganathar . His consort is known as Periya Nayaki.

Legend and Stories

Legend has it that the divine serpent Adisesha was bearing the whole weight of earth. As the weight grew due to the sins committed by the wicked, he could not excess weight and felt exhausted. He visited Mount Kailash and begged Lord Shiva to bless him with the adequate energy needed to do his job. Lord promised him the energy to hold the earth with a single head (Adiseaha has 1000 heads). Adiseaha, with the blessings of Lord Shiva came to this part of Kumbakonam where one leaf of Vilwa fell from the nectar pot. He installed a Linga here and worshipped the Lord. As Nagaraja the king of snakes worshipped the Lord here, He is praised as Nageswarar. The place where the Vilwa fell from the nectar pot floating through floods was called Vilwa Vanam. Lord is also praised as Vilwa Vanesar, Padala Beeja Nathar, Madanthai Bagar and Selva Piran.

Festivals

The main and most important festival of the temple is the Theerthavari when Lord comes to Mahamagam tank. Other festivals of the temple are Purattasi Navarathri in August-September; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January and Panguni Peru Vizha – Great Festival in March-April

Significance

Devotees pray in this shrine between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. the Rahukala time on Sundays for relief from all ailments. They will not feel the fear of death at all. People pray to Lord Umai Oru Bagan (Lord Shiva having Mother Uma as part of His body) on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays for re-union with their spouses. And they will never part with each other in life time

Nearby Place To Visit

Andalakkum Aiyan
Padikasu Nathar
Gajendra Varadhan
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal
Appakudathan
Adhivaraha Perumal

Accessibility

The temple is on the east of Lord Kumbeswarar temple in Kumbakonam. The closest railway station is in Kumbakonam, and the closest airport is in Trichy.

Temple Address

Sri Nageswarar Temple,
(Kudanthai Keelkottam),
Kumbakonam-Pincode - 612 001