The Naganathar Temple, also known as Rahu Sthalam Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Tirunageswaram village in Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the Navagraha temples associated with Rahu is located here. Naganatha Swamy is the name given to Bhagwan Shiva, and Piraisoodi Amman is the name given to his wife Parvati.

Sri Naganathar Temple is one of the 9 Navagraha Temples around Kumbakonam and is dedicated to Rahu. Rahu is the king of meteors and one of the nine major celestial bodies (navagraha) mentioned in Hindu texts. It is also known as the north lunar node, and it signifies the moon’s ascent in its precessional orbit around the earth.

Story Behind Naganathar Temple – Rahu Stalam

Thirunageswaram is one of the many temple towns in the state. It gets its name from the grooves, clusters, or forests that are dominated by one kind of tree or shrub and where the presiding deity is housed by the same kind of tree or shrub. The area is known as Chamapakavanam because it is believed to have been covered in Chamapaka forest.

At this location, many serpents, including Adishesha, Takshaka, and Karkotaka, adored Shiva and gave it the name “Tirunageswaram.” According to Hindu legend, Adisesha, the king of snakes, performed penance at this location, which is known as Senbaranya Kshetram due to the abundance of Senbaga trees there. Shiva appeared to him because he was pleased with the penance. Naganathar is the name given to the Serpent king because Shiva granted him a blessing.

History of Naganathar Temple – Rahu Stalam

The presiding deity of the Naganathar Temple is Arulmigu Giri Gujambika Sametha Naganathaswamy. It is said to have been built in the 9th century AD by Aditya Chola 1. The inner mandapa was built by Seikkizhar, and the outer mandapa was built by Govinda Dikshitar (17th century AD), a minister to Acchuthappa Nayak.

In the second precinct, there is a hall with Nayak-style pillars and yalis decorating the path to the main shrine. The lobby was developed by Govinda Dikshitar, the priest of progressive Nayak rulers, Achuthappa Nayak (1560-1614) and Raghunatha Nayak (1600-34). An artistic pillar with the design “older and nine horses” can be found in the front hall on the eastern side, and similar pillars can also be found on the southern side. On the northern side, there is a hall with pillars covered in yalis, which are used to set up idols for special occasions. With artistic inscriptions, renovation work on the western walls was completed in 1929.

Architecture of  – Rahu Stalam

The Naganathar Temple is another masterpiece that exhibits the Chola style of architecture. It is believed to have been built by Aditya Chola I in the 10th century A.D.

There are numerous mandapas and enormous prakarams in the Thirunageswaram Temple. The outermost prakaram is surrounded by four entry towers surrounded by walls that resemble fortifications. The Vinayaka temple, Balipeetam, and Nandeeswarar Mandapam are seen on the eastern passage. The idol of Lord Rahu is in the southwest corner. A Waterhead with four mandapas surrounds a 100-pillar temple-car-style mandapam on the southern side of the temple. The mandapam is adorned in all directions by artistic pillars.

The temple campus encompasses exclusive shrines for Naganatha Swamy (Shiva), Pirayani Amman (Parvathi), Giri-Gujambigai (Parvathi) and Rahu with his heavenly companions. Because it is believed that Goddess Girigujambal is in thava kolam, a state of deep penance, the goddess has her own shrine within the campus of the temple.

The outermost prakaram is surrounded by four entry towers surrounded by walls that resemble fortifications. The gateways are dominated by multiple-tiered gopurams and the entire temple complex is enclosed by a high compound wall. On the northern side, there is also a flower garden in the third precinct or prahara. On the eastern side, there is also a Bali Peetam, a Dwajasthambam, a Ganapathy shrine, and Nandikeshwara Hall. The southwest corner contains the Rahu shrine.

According to the Sthalapurnas, this temple was surrounded by 12 beautiful ponds in the past. At the moment, only one pond in Surya Theertham can be seen.

Facts about Naganathar Temple – Rahu Stalam

• Naganathar Temple houses the image of Rahu, is one of the nine Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu and is part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state.
• According to references, the serpent Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Karkotagan worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Saint Sushila worshipped Nala in this temple.
• When we pour milk on the Rahu Idol during Abhishekam, the milk turns blue while passing through the idol and then turns white after leaving the idol.
• The priest says that the colour will change if you have any Dosham. During Rahu Kalam, it is believed that performing Abhishekam with milk will remove all obstacles, from marriage, getting children and other problems.
• The presiding deity is believed to have been worshipped by many serpent deities like Adiseshan, Dakshan and Karkotaka.
• As per Hindu belief, people troubled by Sarpa-dosha or Malefic effects Rahu-Kethu seek relief by offering prayers in a single day to Kudanthai or Kumbakonam Nageshwarar in the morning, Thirunageshwaram Naganathar at the noon, Thirupamburam Pambureswarar in the evening and Nagoor Nageshwarar or Naganathar temple at night.

Famous Festivals In Naganathar Temple – Rahu Stalam

• The Naganathar Temple performs weekly rituals of Somavaram and Sukravaram and pradoshams fortnightly.
• Rahu Peyarchi is a festival celebrated every one and a half years when Rahu changes his planetary placement.
• Other yearly festivals are: Brahmotsvam in November – December, Kandashasti in October – November, Navaratri in September – October, and Vijayadashmi in August – September
• Monthly celebrations are: Amavasi (new moon day), Kiruthigai, Poornami (full moon day) and Sathurthi

How To reach Naganathar Temple – Rahu Stalam

The Naganathar Temple is located in Thirunageswaram, a panchayat town located 5 km from Kumbakonam and 47 km from Thanjavur on the Kumbakonam – Karaikkal highway.

By Air: The nearest airport is Trichy Airport at a distance of about 100 km.

By Rail: Thirunageswaram has a railway station, but only passenger trains will stop here. So, you can reach Kumbakonam and take a passenger train to Thirunageswaram.

By Road: The Temple is on the Kumbakonam – Karaikal bus route at a distance of 6 km from Kumbakonam. Adequate bus facilities are available from Kumbakonam to the temple.

Also Read – Nagannathaswamy Temple or Ketu Temple