This
temple is considered most sanctified by its presiding deity (Moorthy) location
(sthalam) and sacred water (theertham), and most benevolent because Saiva
saints Thirugnana sambanda Swamigal, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Thiru
Sundaramoorthy Swamigal have sung in praise of lord siva here, besides being
the most worshipful place of legendary fame Saiva saint Sri Sekkizar swamigal
who brought out the sacred Saiva text 'Peria Puranam'. This place is one of the
127 worthy places of divine worship spread over the southern bank of River
Cauveri.
Among the nine
worship places, for the nine planets, Thirunageswaram is the place where Raaghu
Bagavan is obviously active to bestow his grace. Here Raaghu Bagavan can be
seen with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni together, prayers for
fulfillment of desires at this shrine are favorably answered with success. This
temple is one where Lord Siva was worshipped by Raaghu Bagavan and got relived
of a curse.
Thirunageswaram
temple is 6kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam - Karaikal bus route and by
train, there is Thirunageswaram Railway Station between Mailaduthurai and
Kumbakonam and the temple is 1km.on the south.
Poudiga Purana
contains the fact that Lord siva once told his consort Umadevi about
Shenbagaraniyam, now called Thirunageswaram and its renown.
At
Shenbagaraniyam, under the Shenbagam tree Lord Siva known as Shenbagarane
Eswara was gracefully giving bless to devotees. It is here that Nandi (Bull as
Lord's mode of conveyance) worshipped the Lord and attained the status as
Nandeesan, so too Vinayaga (Lord's first son) the status of Head of Ganas
(Lord's worshipful lot of servants). Indira (King of Devas) worshipped Goddess
Girigujambal (one adnored with heightened breasts) with Punugu (a rare scent
variety) and got relieved of the bad smell emanating from all over his body.
Sages Gowthama, Vashista, Parasarar, and Kings Nala, Pandavas and Bageerathan
obtained relief after worshipping Sri Naganatha Swami here. Kings of Snakes
Aadisesha, Thakshagan and Karkotagan worshipped the Lord here and got blessed.
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
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.
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:
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
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