Nageswarar Temple

Overview

The Nageswarar Temple is located in Tirunageswaram and is dedicated to God Nageswarar.The Arulmigu Brahmapureeswarar Tirukoil is located in Ampal and is dedicated to God Arulmigu Brahmapureeswarar.

About the temple

The mast wood tree or the Punnai is considered divine and the holy water can be found at Brahma Thirtham, Indra Thirtham, Annamaam Poykai and Choola Thirtham. This temple bears the historical names of Amparperuntirukkoil, Brahmapuri and Punnakavanam.

About the Deity

The presiding deities at this ancient temple are Brahmapureeswarar, Ambareesar and Maarapureeswarar with Goddesses Sukantha Kunthalaampikai, Poonkuzhalammai and Vantamar Poonkuzhali.

Legend and stories

There are many legends associated with this temple. When Vishnu and Brahma argued as to who was the Absolute Truth or Brahman, Shiva turned into a gigantic pillar of fire saying that the one who could see the head or the foot of this fire pillar would be declared as the Cosmic One. Vishnu changed into a Boar and set off to find the foot of the pillar and Bramha turned into a swan and flew off to find the head. Vishnu accepted defeat but Bramha lied that he saw the head and he was cursed and turned into a swan. He pleaded for forgiveness and Shiva told him to go to Punnakavanam and meditate. So Brahma went there, made a pond and used the water to do abishekam. Years later, the curse was removed and he regained his old form. This incident of Shiva appearing before Brahma is celebrated every year on Maasi Maham. Ampara and Aampara were the wicked sons of Sage Dhurvasa and Madalola, a heavenly maid. Kali came to the earth as a maiden and the two quarreled over her. One died and at Ampakarathur, Kali killed Ampara. To be free from the sin of killing Ampara, Kali worshipped the God at Thirumaakaalam and got His blessings. The Devas were afraid of the demon Samkaaraseelan and came here. Shiva send Kaala Bhairava to kill the demon and protect the devas. A Brahmin Vimalan, came here and worshipped Shiva for years. Shiva brought the Ganges here and granted him many boons. Manmatha was cursed by Sage Viswamithra making all his arrows powerless. He was relieved of his curse here. King Nandkoopan shot a sage wearing tiger's hide, mistaking him to be a tiger and incurred the Brahmahatthi sin. He was released from it when he worshipped shiva here. During a previous lifetime, he worshipped Jambukeswarar at Tiruvanaikkaa, as a spider living under the white plum tree. He was re-born as one of the 63 Nayanmars, the King Kocchenkat Chola Nayanar who built 70 Temples that elephants cannot enter, of which this is one. Naganatha Swami (Naga in Tamil/Sanskrit means Snake and Natha means God) is a temple dedicated to God Shiva.

An important feature of Naganatha Swami temple is that of Rahu bhagawan (one of the nine celestial bodies) sannathi. Here milk abhishekam is performed daily during Rahukaalam. At this time, the milk that is poured on the statue turns blue when it passes over the body and once again to white after it reaches the floor. This wonder is watched by many daily during the Raahu Kaalam. This is also the only place wherein one can view Rahu bhagawan with his consorts. The mythological serpents Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Nala worshipped Shiva here too. Gautama Maharishi, Parashara and Bhageerata are also associated with this temple.

Festivals

10 day Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Sekkizhar Gurupuja in Vaikasi-May-June, Purattasi Niraimani Katchi in September-October, Thai Poosa star float festival, Adipooram in July-August and Masi Magam in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Significance

A few years ago, the Shiva Linga installed by Sekkizhar was damaged. Devotees removed it and put it in the Surya Theertha and replaced it with a new Linga. At night, Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of a Shiva devotee and directed him to install the original Linga itself again in the sanctum sanctorum. The order of the Lord was duly carried out and the new Linga was placed behind the shrine. The new Linga named Lord Arunachaleswarar is also revered as the presiding deity.

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