Thirunageswaram

Thirunageswaram  - Sri Naganathar Swamy Temple (Rahu Stalam)

Raahu Stalam is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Tirunageswaram, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam, a town in Tamil Nadu, India. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the Navagraha Stalas, and specifically for Rahu. 

Shiva is worshiped as Naganathar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Piraisoodi Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Significance of the temple:

v  It is one of the Panchakrosa Sthalas. List of Pancha Krosha sthalam - Darasuram, Karuppoor, Swamimalai, Thirunageswaram, Thiruvidaimaruthur.

v  Thirugnana Sambandar, Thiru navukarasu Nayanar, ThiruSundramoorthi Nayanar, and Arunagiri Swamigal have praised the glory of the Lord.

v  This is the 29th Shiva temple on the southern side of River Cauvery (127) praised in Thevaram hymns.

v  Many serpents, including Adishesha, Takshaka and Karkotaka, worshipped Shiva at this place, leading to the name "Tirunageswaram". As per Hindu legend, the king of snakes, Adisesha did penace at this place, called Senbaranya Kshetram on account of the presence of large number of Senbaga trees.

v  There is a separate shrine to Goddess Girigujambika. Lakshimi and Saraswathi are standing on either side of Her.

v  This temple is considered most sanctified by its presiding deity ( Moorthy ) location ( sthalam ) and sacred water ( theertham )

v  There are 12 sacred water heads in this place, like Suriya Pushkarani , Gowthama Theertham , Parasara Theertham, Indira Theertham , Prugu Theertham, Kannuva Theertham and Vasishta Theertham and among these Suriya Pushkarani is inside the temple compound and held very sacred.

v  A unique feature of Naganatha Swamy temple is that Lord Rahu is seen with human face. While in other places, Lord Raaghu is worshipped with a serpent face.

v  An important aspect of Rahu Temple at Tirunageswaram is that during milk abhishekam, the milk when poured over the idol, turns Blue which is clearly visible.

Thirunageswaram - Naganathar Swamy Temple திருநாகேசுவரம் - நாகநாதசுவாமி திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Naganathar Swamy, Sanbakaranyeswarar
Goddess Name	Piraisoodi Amman, Girigujambika
Location	Thirunageswaram
Special	Navagraha Temple - Rahu Temple
Significance	29th of 127 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Southern bank of River Cauvery, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams, Temple is Famous for Rahu pooja (Rahu Stalam). One of the Navagraha temple in kumbakonam
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

How to Reach :  Thirunageswaram temple is 6 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam - Karaikal bus route and by train, there is Thirunageshwaram Railway Station between Mailaduthurai and Kumbakonam and the temple is 1 km. away from station. Frequent bus service available from kumbakonam.