Periyamanali Sri Nageswarar Temple, Namakkal

Address

Periyamanali Sri Nageswarar Temple, Periamanali, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu 637410

Diety

Sri Nageswarar Amman: Sivakami.

Introduction

The Nageswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in Periyamanali, in the Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu. The Nageswarar Temple is located in Periyamanali, which is about 5 kilometers from Vaiyappamalai on the Rasipuram-Thiruchengodu road. The temple is situated in the Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu.

The presiding deity of the temple is known as Nageswarar, and the Mother Goddess is referred to as Sivakami.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its association with serpent worship. Lord Shiva is praised as Nageswarar due to the significance of the serpent (Naga) in the temple’s history.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be approximately 1000 years old, reflecting its rich historical heritage.
According to the Sthala Purana (local history), a devoted woman, who had lost her husband, resided in this place. She was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and consistently worshipped Him. It is said that during one of her darshan (divine viewing) experiences, she witnessed a serpent (Naga) emerging from the Shiva Linga. The serpent circumambulated the Lord and then disappeared. This event led to the Lord being known as Nageswarar in the temple.

Management: The temple is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Other Deities and Festivals:

In addition to the presiding deities, the temple also has shrines dedicated to Mother Durga, Lord Dakshinamurthi, Lord Brahma, Lord Kalabhairava, Lord Kalyana Subramaniar, and the planets Sun and Moon.
The temple celebrates various festivals, including Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January, and Maha Shivrathri in February-March.
Masi Shivarathri in February-March is considered a significant event in the temple and attracts a large number of devotees from nearby places, including Rasipuram, Tiruchengode, Komarapalayam, and Namakkal.

Beliefs

People pray here for relief from the adverse aspects of serpent and other planets, for wedding boon and for lasting unity between couples. People throng the temple to worship Lord Shiva for relief from the slowdown in business, for unity in family and for reunion of couples separated for various reasons earlier. Devotees perform abishek and archanas to Lord and Mother offering vastras.