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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple
| image = Thirunageswaram gopuram.JPG
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Naganathar Temple, [[Thirunageswaram]], [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10.964279|N|79.429269|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}[https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Tirunageswaram_Naganathar_Temple&params=10.964279_N_79.429269_E_type:landmark_region:IN]
| proper_name =
| country = {{flag|India}}
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Tanjore]]
| location = [[Thirunageswaram]]
| elevation_m = 75
| deity = Naganatha Swamy<br>([[Shiva]]),<br />Giri Gujambigai<br>([[Parvathi]])
| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| Prathyaksham =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian Architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

'''Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple''' also known as ''Rahu Stalam'' is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to the deity [[Shiva]], located in Tirunageswaram, a village in the outskirts of [[Kumbakonam]], a town in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. It is significant to the Hindu sect of [[Saivism]] as one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the ''[[Navagraha temples|Navagraha Stala]]s'', and specifically [[Rahu]]. Shiva is worshiped as Naganathar, and is represented by the ''[[lingam]]''. His consort [[Parvati]] is depicted as Piraisoodi Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the ''[[Tevaram]]'', written by Tamil saint poets known as the [[nayanars]] and classified as ''[[Paadal Petra Sthalam]]''.

It houses four gateway towers known as ''[[gopurams]]''. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Naganathar, Rahu and Piraisoodi Amman being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the ornamental entrance hall built during the [[Thanjavur Nayak|Nayak period]].

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from [[5:30]] a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar.

== Legend ==
[[File:Tirunageswaram2.JPG|250px|left|thumb|One of the shrines in the temple around the second precinct]]
Thirunageswaram is one of the many temple towns in the state which is named after the grooves, clusters or forests dominated by a particular variety of a tree or shrub and the same variety of tree or shrub sheltering the presiding deity. The region is believed to have been covered with Chamapaka forest and hence called Chamapakavanam.<ref>{{cite book|title=Alayam - The Hindu temple - An epitome of Hindu Culture|publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math|year=2013|location=Mylapore, Chennai|last=Reddy|first=G.Venkatramana|isbn=978-81-7823-542-4|page=10}}</ref>

Many serpents, including [[Adishesha]], [[Takshaka]] and [[Karkotaka]], worshipped Shiva at this place, leading to the name "Tirunageswaram". As per Hindu legend, the king of snakes, Adisesha did penance at this place, called Senbaranya Kshetram on account of the presence of large number of Senbaga trees. Shiva was pleased by the penance and appeared to him. Since Shiva gave a boon to the king of Serpents, he is called Naganathar.<ref name="Sridhar">{{cite book|title=Kumbakonam Azhaikkirathu|isbn=9788183682244|pages=24–26|publisher=New Horizon Media|year=2007|last=Sharma|first=Sridhara|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D0HOpzd4-cwC&q=kumbakonam+azhaikkirathu}}</ref> A Goddess Girigujambal is believed to be worshipping Shiva here with goddesses [[Lakshmi]], [[Saraswathi]], [[Ganesha]], [[Muruga]], and [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]]. Maha [[Bhairava]] is still believed to be guarding and assisting the divine mother during her prayers. The Goddess is said to be Swayambu as she is present in the form of [[Mount Meru|Meru]]. Hence, no [[abhishekam]] (ablution) is performed for the image. As per a Hindu legend, [[Indra]] was cursed by sage [[Gautama Maharishi|Gautama]] as he misbehaved with the latter's wife [[Ahalya]]. To obtain deliverance from the sage's curse, it is said that Indra worshipped Giri-Gujambigai with a scented material termed ''Punugu'' for 45 days. Sages like Gautama and [[Parashara]] and kings like [[Bhagiratha]] and [[Nala]] are said to have worshipped Naganathar at this place.<ref name="Sridhar"/>

The name "Kumbakonam", roughly translated in English as the "Jug's Corner",<ref name="catholicp710">{{cite book|page=710|title=The Catholic encyclopedia: an international work of reference on the constitution, doctrine, discipline, and history of the Catholic church, Volume 8|first=Charles George|last=Herbermann|author2=Edward Aloysius Pace |author3=Condé Bénoist Pallen |author4=Thomas Joseph Shahan |author5=John Joseph Wynne |publisher=The Catholic Encyclopedia Inc.|year=1934}}</ref> is believed to be an [[allusion]] to the mythical pot (''[[kumbha]]'') of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Brahma]] that contained the seed of all living beings on earth. The ''kumbha'' is believed to have been displaced by a ''[[pralaya]]'' (dissolution of the universe) and ultimately came to rest at the spot where the town of [[Kumbakonam]] now stands.<ref name="chandrasekharendrap73">{{cite book|title=Paramacharya: life of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam|last=Sastri |first= Sambamurthy S.|publisher=Jina kalan|page=73|year=1991}}</ref><ref name="ancienttamilsp88">{{cite book|title=The Chronology of the Early Tamils – Based on the Synchronistic Tables of Their Kings, Chieftains and Poets Appearing in the Sangam Literature|page=88|first= Sivaraja K.N.|last= Pillai}}</ref> The drops of nectar are believed to have fallen onto five shrines around Kumbakonam, namely [[Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur|Mahlingeswarar temple]] at [[Tiruvidaimarudur]], Tirudharasuram, Naganathar Temple at [[Tirunageswaram]], Tiruvorgam and Tirupadalavanam.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC&q=tirunageswaram&pg=PA202|page=202|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2010|isbn=9780143415176}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Tirunageswaram5.JPG|250px|left|thumb|Representation of the three Devis as in the sanctum of Piraisoodi Ambal]]
The temple is located in [[Thirunageswaram]], a panchayat town located {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Kumbakonam]] and {{convert|47|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Thanjavur]] on the Kumbakonam - Karaikkal highway.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Top Ten Temple Towns of India|publisher=Mark Age Publication|first=S.C.|last=Karkar|location=Kolkota|isbn=978-81-87952-12-1|year=2009|page=80}}</ref> The temple is another masterpiece which exhibits the [[Chola]] style of architecture. It is believed to have been built by [[Aditya I|Aditya Chola I]] in the 10th century A.D. Later rulers have modified the temple with their own additions. The temple has a separate shrine for [[Rahu]]. The temple is located on the southern bank of the river [[Kaveri]] 7 km from Kumbakonam. The temple campus encompasses exclusive shrines for Naganatha Swamy ([[Shiva]]), Pirayani Amman (Parvathi), Giri-Gujambigai ([[Parvathi]]) and Rahu with his divine spouses. Goddess Girigujambal has a separate shrine inside the temple campus as it is believed that the goddess is in ''thava kolam'' (mode of deep penance).<ref name="Sridhar"/>

The temple covers an area of {{convert|630|ft|m|abbr=on}} South-North and {{convert|800|ft|m|abbr=on}} East-West with concentric sub lanes and four major streets around the four sides. There are four gateways along the four sides with entry towers ([[gopuram]]) and a surrounding compound wall. In the broad pathway on the third precinct, there is a flower garden on the northern side. The Vinayaka shrine, [[Bali Pitha|bali pitha]], Nandikeshwara hall and flag post are located in the eastern entrance. This Ganapathy shrine is said to have been installed by the great saint [[Sadasiva Brahmendra]] along with a Ganapathy [[yantra]]. An inscription in the temple bears testimony to this fact. The temple tank is called Sula Theertham, a dip in which, is believed to clear sins committed by human beings. The temple tank is located in the southern side and has a hundred pillared hall.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=32}}</ref> The second precinct has a granite floor and enshrines the Rahu shrine in the north eastern corner. The path leading to the main shrine in the second precinct has a hall decorated with Nayak style pillars with ''[[Yali (mythology)|yali]]s''. The hall was constructed by [[Govinda Dikshitar]], the minister of successive Nayak rulers, [[Achuthappa Nayak]] (1560–1614) and [[Raghunatha Nayak]] (1600–34). In the front hall on the eastern side, artistic pillar with "older and nine horses" design is found, while similar pillars are found on the southern side as well. There is a hall in the northern side with pillars decorated with ''yalis'' used for staging idols during the festive occasions. The renovation work in the western walls was done during 1929 with artistic inscriptions. In the path way to main shrine, there are art works depicting Veda nayakas, king Sambumali and penance pose of Ambal. The [[Dvarapala|Dwarapala]]ga images on each side at the entrance of Naganathar shrine are made of ''[[chunam]]'' clay.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Temple|url=http://thirunageswaramraghutemple.org/about%20temple.htm|publisher=Arulmigu Naganatha Swami temple administration|access-date=2013-07-07}}</ref>
[[File:Thirunagewaram Panorama.jpg|600px|thumb|center|View of the temple]]

==Worship and religious practises==
[[File:திருநாகேஸ்வரம் கோவில்.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Image of the temple entrance]]
[[File:Thirunagewaram kovil.JPG|thumb|200px|right|View from the outer corridor]]
The temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Shaivism|Shaivaite]] community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:00 a.m., Kalasanthi at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 1:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 p.m. There is a separate calendar for the Rahu Abhishekam (sacred ablution): it is performed twice in a day at 11:30 a.m and 5:30 p.m. and additionally twice at various times in the day. Each ritual comprises four steps: ''abhisheka'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''neivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman. The worship is held amidst music with ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the [[Vedas]] (sacred text) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' and ''{{lang|te-Latn|sukravaram}}'', fortnightly rituals like ''[[pradosha]]m'' and monthly festivals like ''[[amavasya|amavasai]]'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', ''[[pournami (festival)|pournami]]'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Temple pooja timings|url=http://thirunageswaramraghutemple.org/pooja.htm|publisher=Arulmigu Naganatha Swami temple administration|access-date=2013-07-07}}</ref>

The Brahmotsvam or prime festival is celebrated for ten days in the [[Tamil Calendar|Tamil month]] of Karthigai (November–December). There is a procession in silver vehicle, marriage festival of the presiding deity, another procession around the streets of Tirunageswarm in temple chariot, sanctification in temple tank and concludes with Vidayathri (farewell function) when a flower palanquin takes the images of the temple deities around the temple. The festival is celebrated amidst music with ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument) and religious instructions in the [[Vedas]] (sacred text) and ''[[Tevaram]]'' read by priests. Kandasashti festival is celebrated for six during October or November every year when [[Murugan]], the son of Shiva, symbolically kills the demon Surapadma. The scene is enacted in the South street of the temple during the festival. As per local legend, Rahu got relieved of his pains praying to Naganathar during a [[Shivaratri]] day and the day is celebrated in the temple. [[Navarathri]] festival is celebrated for nine days for Girigujambigai and the images of Naganathar and Girigujambigai is taken in horse chariot on [[Vijayadashami|Vijayadasami]], the concluding day of the festival. Sekkizhar Vaikasi Pooja is celebrated from 1969 on the birth date of [[Sekkizhar]], the author of ''[[Periya Puranam]]'', the epic describing the life history of the 63 [[nayanars]]. Rahu Peyarchi is a festival celebrated once every 1.5 years on the star when Rahu switches its planetary position from one ''raasi'' (galaxy) to the other.<ref>{{cite web|title=Temple festivals|url=http://thirunageswaramraghutemple.org/festival.htm|publisher=Arulmigu Naganatha Swami temple administration|access-date=2013-07-07}}</ref>

==Religious significance==
[[File:Tirunageswaram6.JPG|250px|right|thumb|The temple tank]]
The ablution of the image of [[Rahu]] during [[Rahukaalam]] with milk turning to blue colour in this temple is considered to be a miracle and attracts devotees from distant places.<ref name="Sridhar"/>

The presiding deity is believed to have been worshipped by many serpent deities like Adiseshan, [[Dakshan]] and [[Karkotaka]].<ref name=Ka/> As per Hindu belief, people troubled by Sarpa-dosha or Malefic effects Rahu-Kethu seek a relief by offering prayers in a single day to [[Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam|Kudanthai or Kumbakonam Nageshwarar]] in the morning, Thirunageshwaram Naganathar at the noon, [[Paampuranathar Temple, Thirupampuram|Thirupamburam Pambureswarar]] in the evening and [[Nagore|Nagoor Nageshwarar or Naganathar temple]] at night.<ref name="Sridhar"/><ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu spirituality: Postclassical and modern|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UUWIEfAY-mMC&q=tirunageswaram&pg=PA425|last1=K.R.|first1=Sundararajan|last2=Mukerji|first2=Bithika|page=425|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|year=2003|isbn=9788120819375}}</ref> [[Campantar|Tirugnana Sambandar]], a 7th-century Tamil ''Saivite'' poet, venerated Naganathar in ten verses in ''[[Tevaram]]'', compiled as the ''[[Tirumurai|First Tirumurai]]''. [[Appar]], a contemporary of Sambandar, also venerated Annamalaiyar in 10 verses in ''Tevaram'', compiled as the ''Fifth Tirumurai''. As the temple is revered in ''Tevaram'', it is classified as ''[[Paadal Petra Sthalam]]'', one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. The temple is one of the most visited temples in the district.<ref name="TN">{{cite web|title=Navagraha temples|url=http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/navagrahas_m.html|publisher=Thanjavur District Administration|access-date=2013-07-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112023302/http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/navagrahas_m.html|archive-date=2013-11-12}}</ref> The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of [[River Kaveri]].<ref name=Ka>{{cite book|title=River cauvery the most battl(r)ed|last=Ka. Vi.|first=Kannan|page=34|publisher=Notion Press|year=2019|isbn=9781684666041|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CGFDwAAQBAJ&q=thiruvavaduthurai}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Tirunageswaram_Naganathar_Temple&params=10.964279_N_79.429269_E_type:landmark_region:IN GeoHack - Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple]

{{commons category}}
{{Hindu temples in Thanjavur District}}
{{Navagraha}}
{{Shaivism}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]
[[Category:Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu]]

Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple - Revision history

Androidsub143: starting a place