This is one of the 12 Shiva temples around Nagapattinam. It is situated near Neelayadakshi-Kayarohanar Swamy temple. It is about 1 kilometer from Nagappatinam new bus stand. This is one of the rare Shiva temples which have two Shiva shrines inside the temple. Though this is an ancient temple, there are no details available for the same. But there are few inscriptions mentioned about the Pallava kings and buddhas. It is believed that the name of the city Nagapattinam was given due to the presence of this temple in this area. This temple is a parihar sthala for those born under Krittika nakshatra.
Mulavar: Shri Naganathar, Shri Ramanathar
Devi: Shri Akhilandeshwari, Shri Parvatavardhini
Kshetra Vruksha: Bahava (Kondrai in Tamil) (Indian Laburnum tree)
Sacred Teertha: Nagateertha
Puranik Name: Nagapattinam
At the entrance of the temple, there is a three tiered Rajagopuram. At the entrance we have the sculptures of Dwarapalakas. As soon as we enter we come across a granite temple where we find idol of Shri Vinayaka, shrine of Nandi and Balipeeth. On the right hand side wall, there is a painting which depicts a Naga King Adishesha worshiping Shri Shiva. On the left hand side we come across the painting which depicts a Nagakannika (with the three breasts worshiping Shri Shiva).
In the main shrine we come across a Shiva linga known as Naganathar which is seven feet in height. On the southern side there is a another Shiva shrine known as Shri Ramanathar. There is a foot print believed to be that of Prabhu Shriram in front of Shiva Linga. There are number of anthills in the complex. And it is believed that serpents (Nagas) reside in them. We have the koshta murtis including Shri Chandikeshwar in their usual positions. There are two shrines for Shri Ambal namely Shri Akhilandeshwari and Shri Parvatvardhini. In this temple we have a separate shrine for Shri Vinayaka in the southwest corner. Shrine of Shri Subramanya with his consorts is found in the northern side of the sanctum. There are shrines for panchabhuta lingas, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Chandikeshwar, Shri Surya, Shri Shanishwar and Shri Chandra. The special feature is that there is a separate shrine for Shri Dakshinamurti. Shri Vinayaka in this temple is addressed as Shri Valanchuzhi Vinayaka (ujavya sondecha ganapati). There are shrines for Shri Shanmukha, Shri Chandikeshwar, Shri Bhairav in the parikrama. There is no Navagraha shrine in this temple. Near the shrine of Ramanathar swamy, we come across a banyan tree and the neem tree entwined together. There is an idol of Shri Vinayaka installed under it. The nagateertha is at the Ishanya corner (Northeast) of the temple complex.
Kshetra Purana:
According to purana, at this place, heeding to the request of Sanatkumars, the divine Shri Nandikeshwarar had narrated the greatness of Shri Naganathar to them.
As mentioned in the earlier blog, the King of serpents Shri Adishesha used to worship Shri Shiva at five places including this place regularly on a Shivaratri day for a child boon. He used to take bath in a devateertha and worship Shri Kayarohaneshwarar swamy and Shri Neelayadakshi according to the rules for a child boon. By the grace of Shri Shiva he got a female child with a three breasts instead of two. A celestial voice informed him that the third breast will vanish when the girl sees a male on attaining puberty and she will marry the same person. Adishesha’s daughter used to worship Shri Shiva regularly with great devotion. One day she saw a Chola prince named Saalisugan on the bank of devateertha. At that very instance the third breast vanished automatically. She immediately realized that he would be her husband. The prince also fell in love with her. She went to Nagaloka to inform her parents and get their consent. As she did not return for a long time the prince was in deep sorrow. He worshiped Shri Shiva for guidance. Shri Shiva showed his the way to Nagaloka. He reached Nagaloka and married Naga princess. Nagaraja came to this place after handing over the kingdom to Saalisugan. He took bath in the Devateertha, established a Shiva linga and worshiped Shri Shiva. He obtained the following boons from Shri Shiva. 1. Nobody should die of snake bite at this place. 2. This place should be named after him. 3. Shri Shiva should reside at this place and grace the devotees and fulfill their wishes.
Prabhu Shriram came to this place on his way to Shri Lanka. He was searching along the east coast for a suitable place to cross over to Shri Lanka. He took bath in the Kaveri sangam and worshiped Shri Kayarohanar swamy by reciting panchakshari shiva mantra. He then worshiped Shri Naganathar at this place. He established a shiva linga on the southern side of this temple and worshiped Shri Shiva. Shri Shiva manifested from the shiva linga and directed him to the place from where to build the bridge to Shri Lanka. He also narrated to him the importance and the sacredness of the this place. He stated that the area of 12 miles around this place is under Shri Parvati Devi’s grace. Area upto 2.25 miles in the sea is purified by river Ganga and Yamuna. A large number of Siddhas performed penance in this area in the gupta rupa. Sage Agastya has also graced this place. The sacred place Vedaranya is to the south of this place. Shri Durga Devi resides to the south of Vedaranya. You go to that place and build the bridge with her grace. On your way back to Ayodhya you worship at this place again. He stated that those who worship the Ramanatha Linga at this place on eclipse days during Arthodaya and Mahadaya punyakaal after taking bath in the sea will get their wishes fulfilled.
Special features:
Shri Ambika Akhilandeshwari is in a separate shrine.
We come across the idols of Rahu and Ketu near Shri Shiva’s shrine. This indicates that this is a parihar sthala for sarpadosha.
This is a parihar sthala for Krittika nakshatra.
The shrine of Shri Ramanathar was established by Shri Ram.
It is very auspicious to worship Shri Shiva during the eclipse, during Arthodaya and Mahodaya punyakaal.
There is a separate shrine for Shri Dakshinamurti.
Prayers:
Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage, child birth and relief from ailments. Devotees pray here for relief from Nagadosha.
Festivals:
Chitrai (April-May): Annual Brahmostav festival
Aadi (July-August): Puram festival
Thai (Jan-Feb): Thai pusam and Pongal
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru karthigai, Puja on Somwar
Panguni (March-April): Panguni Uttaram
Those who worshiped:
The seven celestial serpents (Vasuki, Takshak, Karkotaka, Airavatam, Kulig, Shankhapal, Adishesha, Nagavalli and Nagakannika), Prabhu Shriram
Timing: 7 am to 12 noon, 5 pm to 8 pm
Address: Shri Naganathar Swamy temple, Naga Sannadhi, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu - 611 001
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs