Visit Nageswarar Temple at Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu: Rahu Ketu Transit 2009

• Shrine - Thirukudanthai Keezhkottam, Nageswarar Temple, Surya Kottam, Vilvavanam
• Principal deity - Nageswaraswamy, Madanthaipaagar, Paataala Beejanathar
• Consort - Periyanayaki, Brihannayaki
• Shrines for - Mahalingam,Padahacheri, Jeerahara Vinayahar,Vaitheeswarar, Pralayakaala Rudrar, Nataraja (Aadalvallar), and Kaali
• Holy Tree - Vilvam, Bel (English) - (Botanical Name: Aegle marmelos - Family Rutaceae)
• Holy water - 1. Naga Theertham, 2. Surya Theertham, 3. Mahamagam Tank
• Worshiped by - Surya, Aadiseshan
• Glorified by - Thirunavukkarasar Thavaram - one hymn. 27th Thevaram shrine of Chola Country located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery.
• Festival - Annual Bhrammotsavam (once in an year) held during the Tamil month of Panguni (February - March).
• Timings - Open 6.30 am - 12 noon and 4 - 9 pm
• Contact - Arulmigu Nageswarar Temple, (Near Old Bus stand ) Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India PIN: 612 001. Telephone, 0435 - 2430386

Overview

Nageswara (or) Nageshwara temple, a Saivite shrine associated with Rahu and Ketu and is located in the most celebrated temple town called Kumbakonam. This could be the oldest and finest temple in Kumbakonam. This Chola temple, raised during the reign of early Chola emperor Parantaka Cholan I (907 - 940 AD), is well acknowledged for its architecture, finest sculptures, temple vimanams (towers) and Mandapams (halls). For example Nritta Sabha (Dance Hall) is the sculptural monument dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Aadalvallar). This car like elevated structure has the flight of steps. Here you will find four mammoth elephants, two horses as well as 12 zodiac signs.

Structure of the Temple

The principal deity is Nageswaraswamy (Lord Siva) and He is also known as Madanthaipaagar, Paataala Beejanathar. His consort in this temple is named as Periyanayaki or Brihannayaki. The sanctum wall comprise niches for Arthanareeshwara (Male and female form of Lord Siva), Dakshinamurthy (God of Wisdom) and Brahmma. You will also find enchanting goddess Durga in a separate sanctum sanctorum. Also shrines exist for Pralayakaala Rudrar and goddess Kali. The chariot with giant wheels and drawn by elephants is shown in another mandapam (hall). The steps are leading to the top of the chariot and the shrine of Lord Nataraja and Devi Sivakamasundari is located there. You will find the dancing bronze image of Lord Nataraja and His consort. You will also find splendid sculptures chiseled by Chola sculptors around the temple prakaram. The main wall of the temple also bear some small sculptures.

Legend

The holy tree of the temple being 'Vilva' or 'Bel tree' (Botanical Name: Aegle marmelos - Family Rutaceae), the temple is also known as 'Vilvavanam.' The temple tank is also known as Surya Theertham.

Lord Surya (Sun god) offered His worship to Lord Siva to redeem the lost splendor. Therefore the name of the temple tank is associated with 'Surya Theertham (the holy water tank).

The celestial serpent Lord Aadisesha is associated with Lord Vishnu. This holy serpent offered worship to Lord Nageswarar (Lord Siva) on Mahasivaratri day (Holy night of Lord Siva). Mahasivaratri festival is celebrated every year during English calendar months Jan - Feb - precisely on the 13th night / 14th day of the waning moon fortnight (Krishna Paksha). The legend speaks about the serpent's worships in four different Saivite shrines. In the morning the worship commenced at Thirukudandhai Keezhkottam or Nageswarar temple, Kumbakonam and in the noon another worship at Thirunageswaram (six km. from Kumbakonam) and Thirupampuram and in the evening the worship ended at Thirunagai Karokanam.

Glorified in Thevaram

This shrine is glorified by glorified by Thirunavukkarasar Thavaram - one hymn. The shrine is also considered as the 27th Thevaram shrine of Chola Country located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery.

Significant Event and Festival

The most significant event at the sanctum sanctorum of the principal deity Sri Nageswaraswamy is falling of sun rays on the Sivalingam for three days i.e, 11 - 13 in the month of Chithirai according to Tamil Calendar. The sun rays fall through the hole found in the eastern side tower.

The Brahmotsavam (unique main festival of the temple) is celebrated well in the Tamil calendar month of Pankuni (March-April). Another event celebrated in this temple is Thiruvadhirai (celebrated on the birth star day of Lord Siva).

Even to date people offer worship at Thirukudandai Keezhkottam in the morning, at Tirunageswaram (6 km from Kumbakonam) and Tiruppampuram (Kumbakonam- Karaikkal Road) at noon and Thirunagai Karonam (Nagapattinam) in the evening on a given day is considered to be of special significance.

Location

The temple town Kumbakonam is the taluk center and is located in the Thanjavur district. Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) is the nearest airport. Kumbakonam is just 96 km away from Tiruchiarapalli. The town is located in the Tiruchirapalli - Chennai train route main (rail) line.

Reference

1.Kumbakonam Temple Visits IV Ramblings and Musings http://sankriti.blogspot.com/2009/05/kumbakonam-temple-visits-iv.html
2.Nageswaran Temple http://kumbakonam-temples.blogspot.com/2009_05_31_archive.html
3.Nageswaran Temple Kudanthai Keezhkottam - Wikimapia http://wikimapia.org/183204/SCN027-Nageswaran-Temple-Kudandhai-Keezhkkottam-Kumbakonam-Chola-nadu-cauvery-south-27-Devara-Temple
4.Nageswaran Temple Kumbakonam(Online Pooja Bookings) http://kumbakonam-temples.blogspot.com/2009/07/nageswaran-temple-kumbakonamonline.html
5.Nageswarar Kudamooku http://www.kudamookku.com/nageswarar.htm
6.Nageswarar Temple http://www.freewebs.com/temptown/nageswara.htm
7.Tirukudandaikeezhkottam http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s096.html