The Nagannathaswamy Temple or Ketu Sthalam Temple is a Navagraha Temple located at Keezhperumpallam in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The god of the temple is Lord Ketu and the principal icon of this Temple is Lord Shiva as “Naganathaswamy” and Goddess Parvathi as “Soundaranayagi” in this temple. Ketu is typically referred to as a “shadow planet” by devotees.  It is a well-known place of worship for Lord Ketu, the shadow planet.

Story Behind Nagannathaswamy Temple

In the past, Keezhperumpallam was known as Vanagiri. The Milky Ocean’s churning is linked to Kethu and Rahu, also known as “Chaaya Grahangal.” As Devas and Asuras churned the ocean of milk with Manthira Mountain as a churning stick and Vasuki the snake as a rope, the amirtham appeared.

It was devoured by an asura masquerading as a Deva. As a result, Lord Narayana smacked the asura in the head with the spoon in his hand. The severed head was then thrown to the ground. As the asura consumed Amirtham, his head and body continued to live.

In addition, the asura’s head fused with a snake’s body to form Rahu Bhagavan. Additionally, the asura’s head joined a snake’s body and transformed into Rahu Bhagavan. A Brahmin saved a body part that had fallen in the Pothigai mountain range. When the asura body attacked the snake’s head, Kethu was born.

History of Nagannathaswamy Temple

The village is mentioned only briefly in the Tamil Saiva canonical work Tevaram, written in the 7th century and classified as a Vaippu Sthalam. It was written by the Nayanars, Tamil saint poets.

The current masonry structure was built by the Nayak in the 16th century, while the original complex is thought to have been built by the Cholas. The sanctuary is now maintained and controlled by the Hindu Strict and Beneficent Blessings Division of the Tamil Nadu Public Authority.

Architecture of Nagannathaswamy Temple

The presiding deity is Ketu, a shadow planet. However, the main idol in the temple is that of Naganatha Swamy or Shiva. The Nagannathaswamy Temple has a flat rajagopuram surrounded by two prakaram (closed precincts of a temple).

The Nagannathaswamy Temple is located in the Keelaperumpallam village, which is on the Thanjavur-to-Poompuhar road and is 2 km (1.2 mi) from Poompuhar and 93 km (58 mi) from Thanjavur. The temple’s closed precincts are surrounded by a single prakaram and a newly constructed flat rajagopuram. Because the deity is not mentioned in the Appar verses, the location is not considered in Padal Petra stalam.

The first precinct contains a black granite representation of Ketu. The shrine depicts worshipping the presiding deity and facing West. Anugraha Vinayaka is the name of the temple’s Vinayaka image. The other entrance faces south in the direction of the Ambal shrine, while the gopuram and central shrine face east.

There are different sanctums for Ambal, Subramanya, Gajalakshmi and Bhairavar. In present-day times, the temple is kept up with and controlled by the Hindu Strict and Beneficent Blessings Division of the Public authority of Tamil Nadu.

Facts about Nagannathaswamy Temple

• Ketu is generally referred to as a “shadow” planet. He is considered as Tail of the Demon Snake.
• The entire creation is accepted after colossally affecting living souls. Rahu and Ketu represent the points at which the Sun and Moon’s paths intersect as they continue around the heavenly circle.
• The centre icon of the Nagannathaswamy Temple Kethu is a shadow planet. Also, the number 7 is the number denoting Ketu God. Further, Ketu God here has a divine posture with a five-head serpent as his head and folded hands worshipping Lord Shiva (Lord Naganatha Swamy).
• Devotees believe that by worshipping in this temple, they will form marriage issues and get rid of Naga dosham and Kethu dosham. Astrology says that Ketu has effects similar to Mars’, but this is only one way to describe Ketu’s bad influence and power.
• Ketu can be more dangerous if it is in an unfavourable position in the horoscope. Ketu destroys the effectiveness of the planet with which it is conjunct, causing the planet to behave erratically.
• Ketu is a karaka or indicator of intelligence, wisdom, non-attachment, fantasy, penetrating insight, derangement, and psychic abilities.
• Ketu is the lord of three nakshatras: Ashvini (Ashwini or Ashwathi), Magha (Maham) and Mula (Moola)
• The devotees worship in this Nagannathaswamy Temple by offering horse gram rice, red flowers, lilies, coloured clothes and lighting lamps, to please  Kethu and negate the malefic effects of the planet.

Famous Festivals In Nagannathaswamy Temple

• Mahashivratri: The day before the Amavasya (new moon) of each lunar month is called Shivarathri. The observance of the Vratha also secures the devotee’s immunity from the effects of sin.
• The temple performs rituals of somavaram and sukravaram every week and pradosham every fortnight
• The festivals of Mahashivratri, Margazi Thiruvadirai, Panguni Uthiram and Vasuki Utsavam are also celebrated with much enthusiasm.
• A special celebration is performed during Rahu and Kethu star transition, every 18 months, called Kethu Peyarchi.

How To reach Nagannathaswamy Temple

The temple is located in Keelaperumpallam, a village located 2 km (1.2 mi) from Poompuhar and 93 km (58 mi) from Thanjavur on the Thanjavur – Poompuhar road.

By Air: Thanjavur Airport is the closest airport to the temple, 23 Km away from the temple.

By Rail: The Nearest railway station is Mayiladuthurai railway station which is 24 Km away from the temple

By Road: There are regular bus services running from Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Karaikal, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kumbakonam, Pattukkottai, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Ooty and Mysore.

Also Read – Naganathar Temple (Rahu Sthalam)