हिंदीOn this day
Standing

Naganathaswamy Temple, Thirunageswaram (Rahu)

The Rahu sthala of the Navagraha circuit, where the serpent-kings worshipped Shiva and Rahu is shown in human form with his two consorts.

Built: Sung by Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar (7th–8th century); Chola stone temple with later hallsWhere: Tamil Nadu (Thanjavur district, near Kumbakonam)Deity: Bhagwan Shiva as Naganathar with Giri Gujambika; Rahu with his consorts10.96° N, 79.43° E
  1. 7th–8th century
  2. 12th century
Photo: Ssriram mt · CC BY-SA 4.0

01Where the nagas prayed

The sthala purana tells that the great serpents Adisesha, Takshaka and Karkotaka worshipped Shiva here, and the Lord took the name Naganathar. Rahu, himself counted among the serpent powers, has a shrine in the south-west of the outer court, where he stands in human form with his consorts Simhi and Chitralekha. At Rahu Kalam each day milk is poured over him, and devotees watch for the milk turning blue as it flows over the image. The Devi, Giri Gujambika, has her own shrine, with Lakshmi and Saraswati beside her.

02Sekkizhar’s temple

All three Tevaram poets sang Thirunageswaram. Sekkizhar, the minister of Kulottunga Chola II who wrote the Periya Puranam, held this temple so dear that he built a Nageswara temple in his home village of Kundrathur near Chennai on its pattern. The Vaishnava Divya Desam of Oppiliappan stands only a few hundred metres away, and pilgrims take darshan of both.

The life of this place

  1. 7th–8th centuryAppar, Sambandar and Sundarar sing the Lord of Thirunageswaram.
  2. 12th centurySekkizhar builds the Nageswara temple at Kundrathur on the pattern of this temple.
Visiting

About 6 km east of Kumbakonam. Come at Rahu Kalam for the milk abhishekam; Oppiliappan Kovil is a short walk away.

Nearby

Oppiliappan Temple, ThirunageswaramStanding
The Age of Great Kingdoms

Oppiliappan Temple, Thirunageswaram

The Divya Desam near Kumbakonam where Vishnu married Bhumi Devi, born as the daughter of Markandeya, and accepted her saltless cooking. No salt enters the temple kitchen, and vows made to Tirupati may be fulfilled here.

Sivagurunathar Temple, SivapuramStanding
Cholas and the Southern Seas

Sivagurunathar Temple, Sivapuram

Ground so holy that Sambandar would not walk on it and rolled round the temple instead; home of the Sivapuram Nataraja, the bronze that was stolen and brought home. Appar and Sambandar sang it.

Swarnapureeswarar (Padikasunathar) Temple, Arisirkaraiputhur (Azhagaputhur)Standing
Cholas and the Southern Seas

Swarnapureeswarar (Padikasunathar) Temple, Arisirkaraiputhur (Azhagaputhur)

Where the Lord left a gold coin on the step each day for old Pugazhthunai Nayanar through a famine. All three Tevaram singers sang it.

Mahalingeswarar Temple, ThiruvidaimarudurStanding
Cholas and the Southern Seas

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur

Madhyarjunam, the middle of the three Arjuna-tree shrines of Shiva, where the Pandya king Varaguna was freed of the sin of killing a brahmin. Its four great streets and corridors make it one of the largest Shiva temples of the Kaveri delta.