Visit Thirunagai Karonam or Shri Kayahorana Swami Neelayadakshi Amman Temple at Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu: Rahu Ketu Transit 2009

• Shrine- Thirunagai Karonam
• Principal deity - Sri Kayaroganeswar, Kaayaaroganeswarar, Adhipuraaneswarar Kayarohanaswamy
• Consort - Neelayadakshi, Karuntadankanni,
• Significance - One of the Sapta Vidanga (Thiyagarajar) Shrines and one among the 64 Sakthi Peethams (64 Goddess shrines)
• Shrines for - Sundara Vitangar, Nagabarana Vinayagar, Maavadi Vinayakar, Sundaramoorthy Nayanar, and Paravai Nachiyar
• Holy Tree- Maamaram (Mango tree)
• Holy water -Pundarika Theertham and Deva Theertham
• Worshiped by - Sage Pundari, Thirugnana sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and his consort Paravai Nachiyar
• Glorified by - Thavaram Thirunavukkarasar - 4 hymns, Thirugnanasambandar -2 hymns and Sundarar 1 hymns. 82nd Thevaram shrine of Chola Country located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery.
• Festival- Annual Bhrammotsavam held during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June).
• Timings- 6 AM and 12 AM and between 4.30 PM and 9.30 PM
• Contact- Arulmigu Shri Kayahorana Swami Neelayadakshi Amman Temple Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India 611 001.

Overview

Thirunagai Karonam (Arulmigu Neelayadakshi Amman Samedha Shri Kayahorana Swami Temple) is another important Saivite temple associated with Rahu and Ketu. This temple was built around eighth century. It is popularly known as Neelayadakshi (goddess with blue eyes) temple. This powerful ancient shrine is noted for the astrological remedies for Rahu and Ketu doshas.

This temple is also known for Sri. Saneeswara (Lord Saturn).

Sapta Vitanga Sthalam

There are separate shrines for Sri Kayaroganeswar, Thiyagarajar (Sundara Vitangar) and Sri Neelayadakshi. The shrine of goddess Neelayadakshi is most significant and popular.. You will also find shrines for Sage Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and his consort Paravai Nachiyar at the sanctum sanctorum of Sundara Vitangar (resemblance to temple in Thiruvaroor). At this place you will also find bronze Panchmuga (Five headed) Vinayagar icon (Lord Ganapathy) mounted on the lion. It is noted for its exquisite carvings. Maavadi Vinayakar and Nagabharana Vinayakar (resembling the icons of Thiruvaroor and in Vedaranyam temples) are the other forms of Vinayakar present.

Holy Water (Theertham)

There are two holy water-heads or theerthams. The first one being Deva Theertham is located at the Southern side of the temple while the second one being the Pundarika Theertham is located to the western side. The bronze image of Panchamukha Vinayakar is worth mention.

Legends

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 Keezhkottan or Nageswarar temple, Kumbakonam and in the noon worship at Thirunageswaram (six km. from Kumbakonam) and Thirupampuram and in the evening the worship ended at Thirunagai Karokanam. The association between Aadiseshan and Thirunagai Karonam might be the reason for the name 'Nagapattinam'

Another legend speaks about the Sage Pundarika Munivar. The sage was blessed with heavenly abode by Lord Siva. The sage was able to reach heaven with his mortal body. This could be another reason for the name Kayaroganam (Kaya= Mortal body; Aarohanam = ascending to Heaven) Ascending heaven with the mortal body.
Thirunagai Karonam is one of the Sapta (seven) Vitanga Sthalams (shrines) sacred to Lord Thiyagarajar (A form of Lord Siva). Lord Thiyagarajar at Shri Kayahorana Swami temple is known as Sundara Vitangar (Celestial dance - Paravara Taranga Natanam). Sundara Vitangar icon is carved out of the precious gem stone Gomethak (Lapis Lazuli).

This shrine is also regarded as one among the 64 Shakti Peethams of Goddess Parvati (holy places of cosmic power).

Nagapattinam is one of the ancient port towns in Tamil Nadu. This place got its Buddhist Centre between eighth century and fifteenth century.

Significance of Karonam

Thirunagai Karonam is also one of the 'Karonam.' What is the significance of the term 'Karonam?' Lakulisa is a form of Lord Siva. The Lakulisa, a Saivite group, originated at Karonam in Gujarat. This group, responsible for Karonam cult, spread from Karonam to all other parts of India. There are two temples associated with Karonam cults - the first one at Kanchipuram. And the other one Thirunagai Karonam (Shri Kayahorana Swami Temple, Nagapattinam). Shri Someswarar Temple at Kumbakonam is also known as Kudanthai Karonam.

Glorified by Thevaram

Thirunagai Karonam is known as the eighty second Thevaram shrine located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery. The shrine glorified by Thevarams of Thirunavukkarasar (4 hymns), Thirugnanasambandar (2 hymns) and Sundarar (1 hymn).

Location

Nagapattinam is 333 km from Chennai and 150 km away from Tiruchirapalli. The nearest airport is at Tiruchirapalli. There are regular flights between Chennai and Tiruchirapalli. From Tiruchirapalli you may hire taxi or travel by bus. Taxi fare will be around Rs. 1800.

Nagapattinam railway station is located at the Erode to Nagore railway route. Two trains i.e., Nagore - Virudhunagar Fast Passenger and Nagore - Tambaram Express are being operated by Southern Railway. You may also reserve train tickets at the computerized reservation counter at Nagapattinam station. The nearest cities connected by Nagapattinam include Nagore, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, Viluppuram and Chennai.

Nagapattinam is well connected by long distance bus services to all the major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu as well as Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh operated by State Express Transport Corporation.

Reference

1.Kaayaaroganeswarar Temple, Nagaikaaronam (Nagapattinam) http://www.shivatemples.com/sofc/sc082.php
2.Nagaikaronam http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s165.html
3.Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu http://www.shivatemples.com/sofct/sct082.html
4.Velankanni - Nagapattinam Ramblings and Musings http://sankriti.blogspot.com/2008/06/velankanni-nagapattinam.html