Famous Temples in India

Architecture

It is said that the place "Nagercoil" is named because of Nagaraja (five headed) temple. The Garbha gruha of this temple is provided with thatched roof - house roof made with a plant material (as straw). The penance posture of Parchuva Nathar and Maha Veerar of Jainism are depicted in the pillars of this temple. There is a koneru in this temple named as Naga theertham.

Presiding deity Nagaraja graces from the sanctum sanctorum with five heads. As Chandi and Mundi are the Dwarapalakas in Shiva temples and Jayan and Vijayan in Vishnu temples, a male Snake Darnendran by name and female Snake named Padmavathi are the Dwarapalakas (securities) in this temple. It is believed that Snakes are here as securities of the temple. Therefore, to facilitate their living, the sanctum sanctorum has a thatched roof. During the month Aadi-July-August- the roof is renewed. Lords Ananthakrishna and Kasi Viswanatha shrines are right of Nagaraja shrine. After puja to Nagaraja, pujas are performed in these shrines. However, the last puja of the day-Arthajama puja- is dedicated to Lord Ananhakrishna. Though Nagaraja is the presiding deity of the temple, kodimaram-flag post is for Lord Ananthakrishna only. Thai Brahmmotsavam is also dedicated to Perumal only with car festival on Thai Poosam day. Aarattu and Krishna Jayanthi too are celebrated for Lord Ananthakrishna. It is also noteworthy that a tortoise occupies the place of Garuda in the flag post against tradition. Garuda and Snakes are natural enemies. This is a temple for the snake.

The sanctum sanctorum is a sand surface and wet as it was a field earlier. This wet sand is offered as prasad. The wonder is that the sand is black during the Dakshinayana Punya Kala being the Southward journey period of Sun covering the months July to December-February and white during the Utharayana Punyakala being the northward journey period of Sun covering the months February to December-January. Monsoon begins in the month of Aavani-August-September when movements of Snakes would be more. To avoid any hardship or accidents, farmers took up this Naga worship and comforted their fury with milk abishek. It also happens that Sunday is a suitable day for Rahu-Serpent planet worship. Aavani also happens to be the first month according to Malayalam calendar. Pujas are performed in the temple according Kerala tradition.