About Temple:
Thirunageshwaram is one of the 127 temples on the southern banks of river Cauvery. It is one of the Panchakrosa Sthalas. The presiding Deity is Arulmigu Giri Gujambika Sametha Naganathaswamy. The Raaghu Sannathi (Nagaraja Shrine) is on the South-West direction of the second prakara. ThiruJnana Sambandar, Thiru navukarasu Nayanar, ThiruSundramoorthi Nayanar, and Arunagiri Swamigal have praised the glory of the Lord. The Thirunagechurappuranam which was written by Singaravelu pillai contains sufficient information about the temple. The Chola KingKandaraathithya (950AD-957AD) changed it into a granite edifice. The inner Mantapa was built by Seikkizhar, as it was a favourite place to him. Govinda Dikshitar (17th century A.D.) a minister to Acchuthappa nayak, constructed the outer mantapa. Sambumali, a King built the beautifulSurya Puskarani beautifully. The roof and other renovation work were done by Arimalazham Annamalai Chettiar. Gnaniyar Swamigal, the great saiva scholar, who was the pontiff at the Mutt at Thiruppapuliyur, was born here
Thirunageshwaram is one of the 127 temples on the southern banks of river Cauvery. It is one of the Panchakrosa Sthalas. The presiding Deity is Arulmigu Giri Gujambika Sametha Naganathaswamy. The Raaghu Sannathi (Nagaraja Shrine) is on the South-West direction of the second prakara. ThiruJnana Sambandar, Thiru navukarasu Nayanar, ThiruSundramoorthi Nayanar, and Arunagiri Swamigal have praised the glory of the Lord. The Thirunagechurappuranam which was written by Singaravelu pillai contains sufficient information about the temple. The Chola KingKandaraathithya (950AD-957AD) changed it into a granite edifice. The inner Mantapa was built by Seikkizhar, as it was a favourite place to him. Govinda Dikshitar (17th century A.D.) a minister to Acchuthappa nayak, constructed the outer mantapa. Sambumali, a King built the beautifulSurya Puskarani beautifully. The roof and other renovation work were done by Arimalazham Annamalai Chettiar. Gnaniyar Swamigal, the great saiva scholar, who was the pontiff at the Mutt at Thiruppapuliyur, was born here
Siva , hence this place is named ‘Thirunageshwaram’. Further Raaghu had received a boon from Siva for bestowing grace and prosperity to those who worship Him with devotion. He took His abode as God with His two consorts. As per the Sthalapuranam, there are two Shrines (Sannidhis) for the Presiding Deity (Moorthi)
1. Naganatha Shrine
2. Arthanareeswara Shrine
There are two Shrines for the Goddess also.
1. Piraiyanivanudalumai Shrine
2. GiriGujambika Shrine
1. Naganatha Shrine
2. Arthanareeswara Shrine
There are two Shrines for the Goddess also.
1. Piraiyanivanudalumai Shrine
2. GiriGujambika Shrine
The Jothisha Sastra (Astrololgy) states that if Raaghu is in good position in one’s horoscope He will bestow all prosperity (including Raja Yoga) to him and that person becomes a Kubera . If he is not in a good position and guilty (Dhosha) a person gets worst results and his life will be miserable. Therefore one should satisfy Raaghu (one of the 9 planets) by worshipping Him. One’s marriage will be delayed if Raaghu is in the 7th place in a horoscope. If he is in the 5th place, the Jaathaka (person) will not beget a child. In order to nullify Kalasthra dhosha, Naga dhosa and Putra dhosha one should worship Raaghu. People afflicted with Nagadhosa should perform oblations.
Sculpture :
There are some ancient sculptures in the Mantapas. The horse and lion figures on the pillars, Adhikaranandi, Seikkilar,Balaravoyar,his brother and their mother, Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Manikkavasagar, Bairava, Nataraja, and others are very beautiful. The thousand pillared mantapa is designed like a chariot having artistic stone wheels.
Some special features:
Thirumal, Brahma, Indra, Surya, Chandra, (Devas), Gautama, Markanteya, Parasara, (saints), Nala, Bageeratha, Chandravarma, andSambumali (Kings) worshipped and got rid of their afflictions.
There is a separate shrine to Goddess Girigujambika. Lakshimi and Saraswathi are standing on either side of Her. There is no daily Abhiseka(oblation) to the Goddess, as it is a stucco Indra was cursed by Gautama Rishi. He got deliverance by worshipping the Goddess by adorning Her with civet. From that day onwards the Goddess has been bedecked with unguent, especially civet (punugu) in a particular day once in a year.
The milk poured (Abhiseka) to Raaghu changes into light blue color.
Literature:
Pathirruppatthandathi written by Swaminatha Mudaliar, Piraiyani Vanuthalumaiyaval Maalai written by Sonachala Mudaliar,Kundrumamulaiammai Thotthiram written by Vetta Veli Swamigal are the important books about the temple. The following books are not available at present for reprint. They are Naganatha Venba, Kundrumulaianthathi, Kompanai Maalai .
Temple (Holy) Tree (Sthalavirutsha):- Sambaka tree (Champak),
Sacred Tank (Theertham):- There are 12 Theerthams
1. Surya 2. Yama 3. Brahma
4. Chandra 5. Agni 6. Durga
7. Gowthama 8. Paraasara 9. Indra
10. Bruhu 11. Kanva 12.Vashista
Poojas and Festivals:
Five kala poojas (5times worship) are being done everyday. Special Abhisekas are performed between 4.30 to 6 p.m. (Raaghu Kala) in all Sundays.
Tirunageswaram,Raaghu is the king of snakes and since he worshiped lord shiva the place was named as Thirunageshwaram. This temple is situated 6kms away from kumbakonam
Offering worship at (Nageswarar temple) in the morning, at noon and at in the evening on a given day is considered to be of special significance.
Legend has it that the mythological serpents Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Gowtama muni, Paraasarar and Bhageerata are also associated with legends related to this temple.The king of the nagas, Rahu prayed to Lord Siva and hence this place got the name Thirunageswaram. Here Rahu Bhagavan has manifested with both his consorts. At this sthala, the colour of milk changes from white to blue during Abhishekam. On 16.2.86, a snake had shed off its outer skin on Rahu Bhagavan, which is preserved and worshipped to date.
The abode of Uppiliappan, which is also hailed as ‘South Tirupathi’, is situated very close to this temple. Of the 127 temples located to the South of river Cauvery, this temple is amongst the most prominent.
Suryan, Vinayagar, Gautamar, Nalan, Parasarar, Pandavas, Vasishtar, Indran, Brahma, Bageerathan, Chandrasenan, Adiseshan, Kakkan Karkodagan, Sounagar, Nargunan have prayed and benefited at this sthala.
King Sambumali who had incurred the wrath of sage Kaalangiri, attained moksha after bathing in the temple tank and praying to the Lord and Ambal of this temple.
The devas and asuras churned the Paarkadal to obtain amirtham that would free them from death, keeping them alive for ever. When the amirtham emerged, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini was distributing the amirtham only to the devas. He was worried that the evil deeds of the asuras will increase multifold if they consumed amirtham. Realising this, one of the asuras with the help of the asura guru Sukrachariyar, took the form of a deva and consumed the nectar. Suryan and Chandran who noticed this, complained to Lord Narayana. In anger, Lord Narayana hit the asura on the head with the spoon in his hand. The head was cut off and fell on the ground. But because the asura had consumed amirtham, his head and body continued to live. The body of a snake got attached to the head to become Rahu Bhagavan. Rahu prayed to Lord Vishnu (Narayana) and got the position of a Sayagraham. Rahu takes his revenge on Suryan and Chandran, whenever he gets a chance by devouring them. This is commonly called as eclipse.
Suryan, Vinayagar, Gautamar, Nalan, Parasarar, Pandavas, Vasishtar, Indran, Brahma, Bageerathan, Chandrasenan, Adiseshan, Kakkan Karkodagan, Sounagar, Nargunan have prayed and benefited at this sthala.
King Sambumali who had incurred the wrath of sage Kaalangiri, attained moksha after bathing in the temple tank and praying to the Lord and Ambal of this temple.
The devas and asuras churned the Paarkadal to obtain amirtham that would free them from death, keeping them alive for ever. When the amirtham emerged, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini was distributing the amirtham only to the devas. He was worried that the evil deeds of the asuras will increase multifold if they consumed amirtham. Realising this, one of the asuras with the help of the asura guru Sukrachariyar, took the form of a deva and consumed the nectar. Suryan and Chandran who noticed this, complained to Lord Narayana. In anger, Lord Narayana hit the asura on the head with the spoon in his hand. The head was cut off and fell on the ground. But because the asura had consumed amirtham, his head and body continued to live. The body of a snake got attached to the head to become Rahu Bhagavan. Rahu prayed to Lord Vishnu (Narayana) and got the position of a Sayagraham. Rahu takes his revenge on Suryan and Chandran, whenever he gets a chance by devouring them. This is commonly called as eclipse.
Relief From Doshams:
Rahu is the source of plenty. Kalathra dosham, puthira dosham, communicable diseases, mental disorders, leprosy, fall in grace are caused by Rahu dosham.
Praying to Rahu at this sthala helps rids a person from these factors and also saves the person from all poisonous life forms. Trips to holy places, Gnanamarkam are his beneficial aspects.
Festivals:
The annual Bhramotsavam is observed in the month of Kartikai while the Sekkizhaar festival is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi.
Mantra for Rahu
Aum rang rahuve namah aum
The temple conducts six pujas daily
Ushakkala Pooja (6 am),Kalasandhi Pooja (9 am),
Uchikkala Pooja (1 pm),
Sayaratchai Pooja (5 pm),
Irandam Kala Pooja (7 pm) and
Arthajama Pooja (9 pm).
Rahu kalam
| Day of the week | Rahukala |
| Sunday | 04:30 pm – 06:00 pm |
| Monday | 07:30 am – 09:00 am |
| Tuesday | 03:00 pm – 04:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:00 noon – 01:30 pm |
| Thursday | 01:30 pm – 03:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:30 am – 12:00 noon |
| Saturday | 09:00 am – 10:30 am |
Temple Timings
6 A.M. to 1 P.M. and 4P.M. to 8.30 P.M.
Lord Raaghu Abishekam Timings:
Lord Raaghu Abishekam Timings:
| Day | Morning | Evening | |||
| Sunday | 9.30Am | 11.30 Am | *4.30 - 6.00 Pm | ||
| Monday | *7.30 am -9.00 am | - | 5.30 PM | ||
| Tuesday | 9.30 am | *3.00 - 4.30 PM | 5.30 PM | ||
| Wednesday | 9.30 am | - | 5.30 PM | ||
| Thursday | 9.30 am | *1.30 -3.00 PM | 5.30 PM | ||
| Friday | 10.30 am - 12.00 am | - | 5.30 PM | ||
| Saturday | 9.00 - 10.30 | 11.30 AM | - | 5.30 PM | |
| * abishekam timing will be changed on festival days | |||||
