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

• Name: Sri Naganatha Swamy temple, Thirunageswaram - 612 204, Kumbakonam (Taluk.) Thanjavur (District.) Phone - 0435 2463354.
• Presiding Deity : Sri Naganathar, Shenbagaaranyeshwar, Ardhanareeswarar
• Consort: Piraiyaniwalnuthalammai, Girigujambigai
• Theertham (Holy water): Surya Theertham
• Sthala Vriksham (Holy Tree): Shenbaga tree (Michelia champaca - Magnolia)
• Glorified by: Thevaram (Thirugnana Sambandar, Thrirunavukkarasar, Sundarar). Sekkizhar launched his great work "Periya puranam" (epic depicting the life and services of 63 Saiva servants) in 1139 AD in the presence of Chola King
• Shrine: Rahu Shrine (Rahu Sthalam) located at South West corner
• Deity: Rahu with His consorts Nagakanni and Nagavalli
• Vehicle: Blue Lion
• Flower: Mantharai
• Gem: Gomedh, Gomedha, Hessonite
• Poojas: Poojas will be performed six times in a day.
• Opening Timings: 5.00 A.M. to 12.00 P.M. and 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M.

Sri Naganathaswamy Temple, Thirunageswaram

Sri Naganathaswamy Temple at Thirunageswaram is well known as Rahu shrine. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva - also known as Sri Naganathar, Shenbagaaranyeshwar, Ardhanareswarar - is the presiding deity. Piraiyaniwalnuthalammai (Girigujambigai) is the consort of the presiding deity. The goddess is found enshrined with Saraswati and Lakshmi.

Sri Naganathaswamy Temple at Thirunageswaram is the large temple with large walls, wide prakarams, tall temple towers and vast mandapams (halls). You may get access to temple through four temple towers.

Significant Features of the Temple

At the eastern entrance there is a flagstaff, Vinayaga shrine, balibeedam or sacrificial altar, and the hall for bull (Nandeeswarar Mandabam). At the southern entrance you will find the water head with four beautiful halls or mandaps. You may be surprised to view the hall with one hundred pillars (100 pillar mandap) and this hall will look like the temple car. The pillars bear rich carvings.

Holy Waterheadsof the Temple

At the temple at Thirunageswaram there are 12 holy water heads and the most important water heads are: 1. Suriya Pushkarani (built by Chola King), 2. Gowthama Theertham, 3. Parasara Theertham, 4. Indira Theertham, 5. Prugu Theertham, 5. Kannuva Theertham and 6. Vasishta Theertham. From the age old legends it is learnt that the legendary serpents - Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan - prayed Lord Shiva at this shrine. The legendary King Nala prayed Naganathaswamy at this shrine. Sages like Bhageerata, Gowthama muni and Paraasarar also had association with this holy temple.

Rahu: A Planet in Hindu Vedic Astrology

In Vedic Hindu astrology the North Lunar node or the ascending node is recognized as Rahu. It is also called Dragon's head. There is special significance for Rahu in Vedic Hindu astrology. Rahu is considered as a planet. The temple shrine at Thirunageswaram is one of the Navagrahasthalam (nine celestial bodies).

Rahu: Separate Sanctum Sanctorum

The sanctum sanctorum of Rahu is located at the south-west corner of this temple. It is rare to find Rahu with his consorts Nagakanni and Nagavalli. Here Lord Rahu in association with his consorts are known to His devotees as Mangala Raghu and the Lord mitigates the sufferings of His devotees. At this shrine Lord Rahu performed penance towards Sri Naganathaswamy and prayed Lord to get rid of His curse. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rahu and the curse of Rahu was relieved here. The Rahu shrine at Thirunageswaram temple is the unique place wherein Lord Rahu is seen with his human face. In other places Lord Rahu is found with His serpent face.

Rahu is said to be benefic in many respects. Rahu is responsible for the better position and status of the native. The planet is also responsible for your overseas travel as well as business. It is known for faithfulness, winning over opposition and mantra power.

Milk Abishekam : Its Significance

There is a strong belief that by performing Milk abishekam (pouring / bathing the deity with milk) for Lord Rahu during Rahu kalam (the selected 90 minutes period in a day ruled by Lord Rahu), all the obstacles - the obstacle or delay in getting yourself married, the curse of childlessness, strained married life, doshas or ill-effects - Kalasarpa Dhosha (affliction), Sarpa Dhosha and Kalasthra Dhosha.

Large number of people cursed with doshas throng at the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Rahu to witness the world famous Milk Abishekam. The milk poured over the idols of Lord Rahu and His consorts Nagakanni and Nagavalli turns into blue. Please note this important event whenever you witness the said abishekam. During the transition of Rahu (astrological event) there will be milk abishekam and homam (havan) and Lord Rahu will be take for processing in Sesha Vahan (vehicle of the legendary serpent).

Rahu Ketu Transition

The transits of Rahu - the North Lunar Node and Ketu - the South Lunar Node will take place on Tuesday 27th October 2009 at 9:04 AM as per Indian Standard Time. The transit is predicted according to Tamil Panchang or almanac (Solar calendar system). Rahu will transit from Zodiac sign Capricorn (Makar Rasi) to Zodiac sign Sagittarius (Dhanur Rasi). Ketu will transit from Zodiac sign Cancer (Kataka or Karkataka Rasi) to Zodiac sign Gemini (Mithuna Rasi). Both Rahu and Ketu will stay at Sagittarius and Gemini for the next eighteen months or one and half years.

Rahu Doshas

Rahu is the source for skin allergies like eczema and disorders in blood; Phlegmatic diseases and infections and communicable diseases like cholera, fevers, leprosy and small pox; epilepsy; mental disorders and poisoning.

Kala Sarpa Yoga' or 'Kala Sarpa Dosha': Your horoscope will be uniquely identified as 'Kala Sarpa Yoga' or 'Kala Sarpa Dosha' when all the planets in your horoscope fall between the axis of Rahu or Ascending Node and Ketu or Descending Node.

'Sarpa Dosha': 1. Starting from Moon if Rahu or Ketu is placed in your 8th house of your horoscope; 2. Starting from your own lagna, if Rahu or Ketu is placed in Trikona (fifth and nineth house).

Kalathira Dosham: If Rahu is placed in the seventh or the eighth house from Ascendant (Lagnam) or Raasi (Moon sign), then there is Rahu dosham.

Puthra Dosham: Jupiter is responsible for offspring (Puthra Karaka). The influencing factors causing Puthra Dosha are: 1. the Lord of the Fifth being ill placed; 2. Jupiter placed in a weak position; and 3. the Fifth house and Jupiter getting malefic aspects. If Rahu and Ketu is positioned in fifth place - Putra sthana, the dosha happens

Astrological Remedies

1. Devotees born in Rohini Nakshatra (star constellation according Vedic Hindu astrology) is advised to visit this temple at Thirunageswaram twice in a calendar year or at least once in a year. They should remain within the temple for al least 2 ½ hours.
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3. Lord Ragu is pleased with the offering such as blue robes, urad dhal and food prepared using urad dhal, and mantharai flower. Lord Rahu will mitigate the sufferings of His devotees.
4. Pouring and bathing the deity with milk - Milk Abishekam is one of the specific remedy performed at Lord Rahu shrine
5. Dhosha Nivarthi Homam or Havan as astrological remedy is performed at Lord Rahu. On special occasions. The transit of Rahu is one such occasion.

Location of the Temple:

All important Navagraha shrines or temples are located in Tamil Nadu - Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Thanjavur districts. The International and domestic airports at Chennai are well connected with all major Indian cities and towns and you will get flights to most of the Indian cities and towns. The nearest airport to most of the navagraha shrines is Thiruchirapalli and from Chennai or any major city you may able to reach Thiruchirapalli by air. From Thiruchirapalli you may able to reach Thanjavur by bus or taxi. It is about 58 kms.

There is a railway station at Thirunageswaram town and this town is located between Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai railway route. There are few passenger trains passing through this station - Tambaram - Kumbakonam Fast Passenger and Kumbakonam - Mayiladuthurai Passenger. From Kumbakonam the shrine is 6 km away. You can also access Thirunageswaram from Kumbakonam.

You may get good hotels at Kumbakonam as well as Thanjavur. You can conveniently reach the temple by bus or taxi from Kumbakonam or Thanjavur. You may have to hire taxi and you may able to cover these shrines Thirunageswaram (Shrine of Rahu), Alangudi (Shrine of Guru) Thingalur (Shrine Moon or Chandran), Suriyanar Koil (Shrine for Sun and other planets) and Kanchanur (Shrine of Venus or Sukhran).

Reference

1. Naganatha Swamy Temple - Thirunageswaram http://www.kudamookku.com/religious/navagraham/ragu-thirunageswaram.htm
2. Naganathaswamy Temple, Thirunageswaram - Rahu Sthalam http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2009/07/naganathaswamy-temple-thirunageswaram.html
3. Sri Naganathswamy Temple ThiruNageswaram http://www.pariharam.com/Temple_Thirunageswaram.aspx?TempleID=TMPL008
4. Thirunageswaram http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirunageswaram
5. GiriGujambiga sametha Shenbagaranyeswarar koeyil , ThiruNageswaram ( Raagu Sthalam ) http://www.templepages.com/t146.html
6. Tamil Podcast #24 Vaaram Oru Alayam- Arulmigu Naganathar Alayam,Thirunageswaram http://natarajprakash.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/09/tamil-podcast-24-vaaram-oru-alayam-arulmigu-naganathar.htm
7. Sri Naganatha Swamy ,Thirunageswaram http://shanmughavadivu-temple.blogspot.com/2008/06/6.html