Information Courtesy: www.hindudevotionalblog.com
Sri Naganathaswamy Temple or Rahu Sthalam is one of the 9 Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu and is associated to Lord Rahu (Raaghu Bhagvan). Sri Naganathaswamy Temple is located at Tirunageswaram, which is 7 km east of Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam - Nannilam Road, in Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu. The main presiding deity of Thirunageswaram Rahu Temple is Lord Naganathaswamy (Lord Shiva) and his consort Giri Gujambika (Goddess Parvathi) who is enshrined with Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati by Her side. Rahu Bhagavan is seen with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni. Sri Naganathaswamy Temple is one where Lord Shiva was worshipped by Rahu (Raghu) and got relived of a curse. A unique feature of Naganatha Swamy temple is that Lord Rahu is seen with human face. While in other places, Lord Raaghu is worshipped with a serpent face.
Temple Features
Occupying a vast area, the Thirunageswaram Rahu Temple has vast prakarams, towering gopurams, and several mandapams. There are four entry towers with fort like walls which surround the outermost prakaram.
The Vinayaga temple, Balibeedam, Nandeeswarar Mandabam and Thwaja Sthambam (Flag post) are seen on the eastern gateway. Lord Ragu’s idol is placed in the south-west corner. The southern side of the temple has a water head with four Mandaps, surrounded by a 100 pillar Mandap in a temple-car style. The mandap is decorated by artistic pillars in all directions. The Dwarapalaga Sudhai work (made of Chunam clay) on each side at the entrance is an attractive feature of the temple.
There are twelve sacred water heads in this place, namely, Suriya Pushkarani, Gowthama Theertham, Parasara Theertham, Indira Theertham, Prugu Theertham, Kannuva Theertham and Vasishta Theertham. Suriya Pushkarani is inside the temple compound and is very sacred. The theertham is built in Chola style and is in square shape with 'double-bat' roofing. Legend says that the mythological serpents Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here.
Effects of Rahu Bhagavan
Rahu Bhagwan is said to be the cause for one's good position, status, business, faithfulness, winning over opposition, to travel overseas, and for mantra power. It is believed that by doing Milk abishekam here for Rahu during Rahu kalam (period of 1 and 1/2 hours occurring every day) the delay in getting married, childlessness, trouble some married life, ill-effects of Kalasarpa Dhosha (affliction), Kalasthra Dhosha and, Sarpa Dhosha are all cured.
Special Feature
An important aspect of Rahu Temple at Thirunageswaram is that during milk abhishekam, the milk when poured over the idol, turns Blue which is clearly visible.
On every occasion of Rahu switching over to next Raasi (Rasi) which happens once in one and half years in anti-clockwise, special Abishekam with Homam is performed at Sri Arulmigu Naganathaswamy Temple. Lord Rahu is taken in procession in Sesha Vahanam.
Temple Festivals
Other major festivals celebrated here are Brahmotsavam (November or December), Thiruvathirai (December – January), Kanda Shashti (October or November), Sivaratri (February - March), Navaratri and Sekkizhar Vaikasi Pooja (June).
Temple Timings and Daily Poojas
Thirunageswaram Raghu Temple opens daily from 06:00 AM to 9:00 AM, 01:00 PM to 05:00 PM, and 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM. The temple conducts six pujas daily Ushakkala Pooja (6 am), Kalasandhi Pooja (9 am), Uchikkala Pooja (1 pm), Sayaratchai Pooja (5 pm), Irandam Kala Pooja (7 pm) and Arthajama Pooja (9 pm).
How to reach Sri Naganathaswamy Temple, Thirunageswaram
Thirunageswaram Rahu Temple is on the Kumbakonam - Karaikal bus route and is just 7 km from Kumbakonam.
Railway Station
Thirunageswaram Railway Station or Tirunageswaram Railway Station, on the Mayiladuthurai - Kumbakonam rail route is the nearest railhead. Tambaram - Kumbakonam Fast Passenger and Kumbakonam - Mayiladuthurai Passenger passes through Tirunagesvaram Railway Station.
Kumbakonam Railway Station, operated by Southern Railways, is the nearest major railway station to Thirunageswaram. Tirupati - Tiruchirapalli Express, Chennai – Rameshwaram Express (Sethu Express) are some of the long distance main trains passing through this Kumbakonam Railway Station.
Tiruvidaimarudur Railway Station or Tiruvidalmarudr Railway Station, on the Mayiladuthurai - Kumbakonam rail route, is another nearest railhead around 5 km from Thirunageswaram.
Tiruchirapalli Airport is the nearest domestic airport.