Sri Nageswarar temple - Kumbakonam

Moolavar	Nageswarar, Naganathar
Urchavar	-
Amman / Thayar	Periya Nayaki
Thala Virutcham	Vilwa
Theertham	Maha Magam Tank
Agamam / Pooja	-
Old year	1000-2000 years old
Historical Name	Thirukudanthai
City	Tirunageswaram
District	Thanjavur
State	Tamil Nadu

Temple History

Divine serpent Adisesha was bearing the whole weight of earth.  As the weight grew due to the sins committed by the wicked, he could not excess weight and felt exhausted.  He visited Mount Kailash and begged Lord Shiva to bless him with the adequate energy needed to do his job.  Lord promised him the energy to hold the earth with a single head (Adiseaha has 1000 heads).  Adiseaha, with the blessings of Lord Shiva came to this part of Kumbakonam where one leaf of Vilwa fell from the nectar pot.  He installed a Linga here and worshipped the Lord.  As Nagaraja the king of snakes worshipped the Lord here, He is praised as Nageswarar. 

The place where the Vilwa fell from the nectar pot floating through floods, was called Vilwa Vanam.  Lord is also praised as Vilwa Vanesar, Padala Beeja Nathar, Madanthai Bagar and Selva Piran.

Greatness Of Temple

The temple was surrounded by bushes.  It was the year 1923.  A Shiva devotee, Padagacherry Ramalingaswamy collected funds by tying a brass bowl around his neck begging all.  He renovated the temple with the funds he thus collected little by little.  He also conducted the consecration of the temple.  The next consecration took place in 1959 and finally again in 1988.  Lord Nageswara is seated on a big Avudayar.  He is small in size.

Sun God prays to Lord with his rays on Panguni 11, 12 and 13 in March.  People pray to Lord Nageswara on Mondays and Thursdays for relief from the adverse aspect of serpent planet Rahu delaying marriage and child boon.  Mother Periyanayaki graces the devotees with Her blessing hand-Abhaya Karam.  The reputation of the temple is in its Pralayakala Rudra Shrine-Sannidhi.  There are also shrines for Mother Vishnu Durga and Sun.

Special Feature

Miracle Based: Rays of Sun fall on Lord on Panguni 11, 12 and 13 in March. Lord in the temple is a swayambumurthy.

General Information

The temple has a five tier Rajagopuram.  Entering inside, we find the Nandavanam-flower garden at the left and the Singamukha theertha-sacred spring-at the right.   Mother Brugannayaki and Nataraja Sabha are on the right side.  The Nataraja Sabha is beautifully designed as a rath-car.  The 12 cross wires of the wheel are (joining the wheel and the axis) are said to represent the 12 zodiac signs.  The mandap is aesthetically designed in the form of a rath drawn by two horses and 4 elephants.  The other noteworthy feature is Mother Sivakami is playing the Tala to the dance of the Lord Nataraja and Lord Vishnu playing the flute feasting the eyes of the devotees.

Prayers

Devotees pray in this shrine between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. the Rahukala time on Sundays for relief from all ailments.  They will not feel the fear of death at all.   People pray to Lord Umai Oru Bagan (Lord Shiva having Mother Uma as part of His body) on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays for re-union with their spouses.  And they will never part with each other in life time.

Singers

The Lord of the temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 27th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.

Festival

The main and most important festival of the temple is the Theerthavari when Lord comes to Mahamagam tank. Other festivals of the temple are Purattasi Navarathri in August-September; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January and Panguni Peru Vizha – Great Festival in March-April

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Address:

Sri Nageswarar Temple, (Kudanthai Keelkottam), Kumbakonam-612 001.

Phone

+91- 435-243 0386.

Location :
The temple is on the east of Lord Kumbeswarar temple in Kumbakonam.

Near By Railway Station :
Kumbakonam