Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Once, Saint Sushila cursed Sri Ragu Bhagavan – Sun’s Ascend Node, one of the nine orbiting planets. To absolve his curse, Ragu worshipped Lord Shiva in Kumbakonam Keelkottam in the first quarter of the night – First Jamam and Senbakaranyam in the second quarter, and Thirupamburam in the third quarter, and Nagaikaronam in the fourth quarter and at last at Usha time came to this holy Senbaka forest and prayed to him to absolve his curse. So, we can see Sri Ragu Bhagavan with his two consorts in his marriage posture in the South-West corner of this temple. Because of the serpent deity Ragu’s worship, the lord here also been called Naganathar, and this village Tirunageswaram. As Rahu, the serpent deity is enshrined here with his two consorts in the South-West corner of this temple. Praying to Rahu at this sthala helps rids a person from these factors and also saves the person from all poisonous life forms.

Legend has it that the mythological Serpents Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that Nala worshipped Shiva here & Gowthama muni, Parasarar and Bhagiratha are also associated with legends related to this temple. The king of the Nagas, Rahu prayed to Lord Shiva and hence this place got the name Thirunageshwaram. Here Rahu Bhagavan has manifested with both his consorts. Sri Naganathaswamy Temple is one where Lord Shiva was worshipped by Rahu and got relieved of a curse. The Devas and asuras churned the Paarkadal to obtain amirtham that would free them from death, keeping them alive for ever. When the amirtham emerged, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini was distributing the amirtham only to the Devas. He was worried that the evil deeds of the asuras will increase multifold if they consumed amirtham. Realizing this, one of the asuras with the help of the Asura guru Shukracharya, took the form of a deva and consumed the nectar. Suryan and Chandran who noticed this, complained to Lord Narayana. In anger, Lord Narayana hit the Asura on the head with the spoon in his hand. The head was cut off and fell on the ground. Because the Asura had consumed amirtham, his head and body continued to live. The body of a snake got attached to the head to become Rahu Bhagavan. Rahu prayed to Lord Vishnu (Narayana) and got the position of a Sayagraham. Rahu takes his revenge on Suryan and Chandran, whenever he gets a chance by devouring them. This is commonly called as Eclipse.