Thiru Naganathaswami Temple - Temple of Ketu

This is the Navagraha temple attributed to planet Ketu. Hence the place is known as Ketu sthalam. The main deity in this temple is Lord Shiva. 

Mulavar (Main deity): Naganathar

Utsav Murti: Somaskandar

Devi (Consort): Soundaryanayaki

Kshetra Vrksha: Bambu

City: Keez-perum-pallam 

District: Nagapattinam in Tamilnadu

During Samudra Manthan, the serpent Vasuki vomited poison. In order to protect the Devas and others Lord Shiva drank this poison. Vasuki felt sorry as Lord Shiva had to drink poison emitted by her. As an atonement, she did penance at this place. Lord Shiva gave her darshan and blessed her. At that time she requested Lord Shiva to stay at this place in the same form. Lord Shiva obliged her and stayed at this place bearing the name Naganathar. 

History of Ketu Temple:

According to the Scriptures, this place has great importance. During Samudra Manthan, the great churning of the ocean, Vasuki nag became unconscious and the Asuras cut him into pieces and threw him into this place which was a bamboo forest. Due to the grace of Lord Shiva, he became alive again. He did penance at this place and requested Lord Shiva to come stay at this place and grace anyone who worships here. The sacred tree is bamboo.

Ketu Puran: When Rahu and Ketu came to life (refer previous story on Rahu), nobody was ready to accept them. Ketu was brought up by a Brahmin so he acquired Gyan (Knowledge/Higher Learning/Wisdom) from his foster father (Brahmin). He did penance at this place and acquired the status of a Graham (Celestial Body). Ketu’s wife is Chitralekha. His son is Avamrut. There is one more place where there is Ketu temple.

Teerth/ sacred Pond: There is one teerth called Naga Teerth. It is presumed that it was created by Vasuki. On the western side of the Teerth, there are a Pipal and a Neem tree conjoined together. Naga Puja is done at this place.

General Information:

The Vinayaka idol in this temple is worshiped as Anugraha Vinayaka. Lord Ketu is in a separate shrine. He has a human body and a serpent head. He graces the devotees and gives dnyan. Hence he is worshiped as anugraha Ketu and DnyanaKaraka. Since Ketu is the main deity in this temple there is no Navagraha shrine here. 

Speciality of the temple:

1) In this temple, special pujas are performed during Rahu kaal and Yama ganda for Lord Ketu

2) During the transit of Rahu and Ketu, special hom and havan are performed. 

3) Though there is no Navagraha shrine, we find 2 idols of Lord Surya and an idol of Lord Shanishwar near Lord Ketu’s shrine

Festivals at this temple:

1) Shivaratri (Feb-Mar, Masi in Tamil)

2) Anna-bhishek in October-Nov (Aipasi Tamil month)

3) Vasuki utsav (Mar-Aprl, Panguni Tamil month)