Sri Naganathaswamy Temple is located on the bank of the river Cauveri which is nearly 7 kms
from Kumbakonam and this temple is known to be the sthalam for the presiding deity Raaghu
(serpent), one of the nava grahas. The main deity in the temple is that of lord Shiva known here
as Naganathaswamy. In this temple, the serpents of the divine world, namely Adishesha,
Takshaka and Karkotaga, worshipped Shiva and hence the name “Tirunageswaram” ( Naga
means Cobra).
The temple is another masterpiece exhibiting the Chola style of architecture which has been
built by Aditya Chola I in 10th century A.D. the temple was later modified the temple with the
own additions of the proceeding rulers. The temple has four gopurams and a surrounding
compound wall and in the third praharam, there is a nandavanam (flower garden) on the
northern side. In this temple, the Ganapathy shrine was installed by the great saint Sadasiva
Brahmendra along with a Ganapathy yantra. In the South-West Corner of the second praharam
houses the Raaghu shrine, where Sri Raaghu Bagavan can be seen with his two consorts
Nagavalli and Nagakanni.
As per legend, sage Bringhi used to worship only Shiva and angered at his attitude, Parvathy
went on a severe penance asking for a boon wanting half her body as Shiva ( Artha
Nareeswarar). Pleased with her penanace, lord granted her wish and hence we can see the
Arthanareeswar in this temple. Thayar Girigujambigai, Lakshmi and Saraswathy are also seen
together in the same sannithi and it is beleived that praying here will bring wealth and
prosperity to the devotees. During the month of Markazhi ( Dec-Jan),the sanctum is closed for
public for 45 days. Pooja are performed only to the curtain of the sanctum.
Next to this sannithi, there is a sannithi for Ganapathy and Raaghu as ‘yoga Raaghu’. as Raaghu
is a great devotee of Shiva, he is said to have stayed here along with his consorts. According to
temple inscriptions, the ambal here is swayambu and Lord Indran is said to have done
abishekam with Punugu ( a kind of fragrant scented material obtained from the Civet cat) to
overcome his bad body odor due to a curse and Hence even today, no other abishekams are
performed to this goddess, only the fragrant Punugu is applied twice a year.
People pray here for removal of Raaghu dosha which generally affects their health, marital
happiness, discontinuation in employment and it is beleived that fasting on Sundays and
Fridays, and performing abhishekams during rahu kalam, offering blue vastras, offering blue
flowers, offering sesame rice (ellu sadham) will please Raaghu through which one can alleviate
rahu doshams.
In this temple, during abhishekam of the idol of Raaghu in the Raaghukaalam with milk, the milk
turns blue in color. It is a divine miracle and devotees throng to see this sight. Saivaite saints
Thirugnana Sambanda Swamigal , Thirunavukkarasar and Thiru Sundaramoorthy nayanar and
Saiva saint Sekkizar, who wrote the sacred ‘ Peria Puranam ‘ have sung in praise of lord Shiva
here. As the temple is revered in Thevaram, it is classified as ‘Paadal Petra Sthalam’. The temple
is one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon, Thirumarai.