Visit Rahu Ketu Temple at Thirupampuram, Tamil Nadu: Rahu Ketu Transit 2009

• Shrine- Pampura Nannagar, Seshapuri
• Principal deity- Paampuranathar,Paampureswarar, Seshapureeswarar, Sarpeswarar, Paampesurar.
• Consort- Vandaar Poonkuzhali, Vandarkuzhali, Bramaambikai,
• Significant shrine- In this shrine Rahu Ketu appear as one single body. Popular Rahu Keu shrine
• Separate shrines for - Aaadiseshan, Bhairavar, Bhramma, Malaiyeeswarar, Mahavishnu, Surya, and Saneeswaran
• Holy Tree- Vanni (Botanical Name: Prosopis cineraria - Fabaceae)
• Holy water - Adhisesha Theertham
• Recognized as - 59th Thevaram shrine of Chola Country glorified by Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar Thavaram - one hymn each
. Festivals - Masi Maham and Mahasivaratri
• Contact Arulmigu Seshapureeswarar Temple, Thirupampuram, Suraikayur Post, via Palaiyur, Kudavasal taluk, Thiruvaroor district - 612203. Telephone: 0435 - 2469555 (Executive Officer)

Overview of the Temple

Thirupaampuram is another important Rahu Ketu shrine noted for the astrological remedies. You may perform astrological remedies and offer prayers to Lord Pampuramathar to all Rahu and Ketu doshas. The goddess is also named as Pramarambikai. It is a big temple spread across 1.5 acres.

Lord Siva was worshiped by legendary serpents Nagaraja and Karkotaka. This temple and the place have been named as Paampuram, since the King of Serpents 'Nagaraja' offered worship to Lord Siva.

Legend

The celestial serpent Lord Aadisesha is associated with Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu sleeps over the snake bed. This holy serpent offered worship to Lord Siva on Mahasivaratri day (Holy Night of Lord Siva). This festival is celebrated every year during English calendar months Jan - Feb - precisely on the 13th night / 14th day (Tithi) 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 of Aaadiseshan commenced at Kudandhai Keezhkottam or Nageswarar temple, Kumbakonam (present name) and in the noon the second shrine Thirunageswaram was worshipped (six km. from Kumbakonam) and later the third shrine Thirupampuram was worshped and in the evening the worship ended at the fourth shrine Thirunagai Karokanam. Surprisingly no snake bite is reported so for at this place.

Festivals

Mahasivaratri and Masi Magam are two important festivals celebrated in this shrine. Mahasivaratri has special significance to this temple. Even today people offer worship to all these four Lord Siva shrines - Kudandhai Keezhkottam or Nageswarar temple, Kumbakonam, Thirunageswaram, Thirupampuram and Thirunagai Karokanamon - on Mahasivaratri day.

Lord Pampuranathar is also worshiped by Agasthyar and Bhrama. Thirgnanasmbandar and Thiruvukkarasar have glorified Lord Pamparanathar in their Thevaram hymn (one hymn each). This shrine is a counted as the 59th Thevaram shrine located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery (an ancient shrine found located in the historical Chola country).

Who Should Visit the Temple?

In this temple there is a separate shrine for Rahu and Ketu. The idol shows Rahu and Ketu as the single body. You may perform astrological remedies for:

1.Kalasarpa dosham in your horoscope
2.Rahu dasa in your horoscope (18 year period)
3.Ketu Dosha in your horoscope (7 year period)
4.If current Buddhi is Rahu Buddhi or Ketu Buddhi
5.If Rahu or Ketu in the second sign and Rahu or Ketu in your eighth sign of your horoscope
6.Kalathra dosham in your horoscope
7.Puthra dosham in your horoscope
8.Marriage obstacles to girls and boys
9.If snake is sighted at your dream
10.If any snake was killed by you and
11.If suffering from indebtedness

Astrological Remedies

The temple administration has fixed tariff for the said astrological remedies. The tariff is Rs. 120/- (Rupees one hundred and twenty only). The temple priest performs milk abishekam (bathing deity with milk) to serpent idol made in silver as well as Rahu Ketu idol. He will adorn the deity with flowers such as Jasmine, Nerium oleander (Sevvarali) and cannon ball tree or Nagalingam (Botanical Name) Couroupita guianensis. You may offer blue and multi-color robes and also offer urad dhal and horse-gram dhal to the deity. You may also feed the poor and finally offer prayer at snake pit temple (Puthu koil). It is believed that all your doshas are relived.

Shrine Worshiped by

You may find separate shrines for deities i.e, Aadiseshan (Celestial serpent), Bhairava (One form of Siva), Bhrahma, Mahavishnu, Malaiyeeswarar, Saneeswaran (Saturn), Surya (Sun) and others at Pampuranathar temple.

Location

Thirupampuram is located 7 km west of Peralam. Peralam is the small town located between Mayiladuthurai (Mayavaram) and Thiruvaroor. From Peralam you may also visit holy shrines like Thirunallaru and Thrumeeyachur.

Reference

1.Thirupampuram (Tamil) http://thirupampuram.blogspot.com/
2.Paampuranathar Temple - Thirupampuram http://www.kudamookku.com/aroundthecity/thirupampuram.htm
3.Rediff Q & A http://qna.rediff.com/questions-and-answers/the-temple-of-lord-shiva-known-as-thirupampuram-shiva-temple-a-rahu-parihara-sthalam-is-located-near-kumbakonam-around-7-9-km-radius/14608476/answers