Sri Kayarohanaswami Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Sri Kayarohanaswami Temple, Neela Sannathi, Melakottaivasal, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611001 Phone: 088077 87463,PH:9894501319

Deity

Kayarohanaswami Amman: Nilayathakshi.

Introduction

Nagapattinam Kayarohanaswami Temple, is dedicated to Lord Siva situated in the town of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is known as Kayarohana and his consort is Nilayathakshi. The temple has been in existence from the 6th century AD and has been praised by the Nayanmars Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. The temple has been constructed by the Lakolisa cult which originated in Gujarat and their only other temple in Tamil Nadu is at Kanchipuram. The idol of Thyagaraja in the temple is made of lapis lazuli. Thala Virutcham : Mango Theertham : Pundarikaksha Theertham Agamam / Pooja : Kameekam

Puranic Significance

The temple dates back to the 6th century AD and has been praised by the Nayanmars—Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar.
Originally constructed by the Lakolisa cult, which originated in Gujarat.
The idol of Thyagaraja is made of lapis lazuli.
Karonam is derived from Kayarohana, making the temple a twin of the Kayarohana temple in Gujarat.
The temple was later rebuilt by the Pallavas and Cholas.
It is one of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams.
Also known as the temple of Neelayadakshi.

Name and Legends

Kayaroganeswarar:
- Sage Pundarika was advised by Sage Kanwa to perform penance to attain salvation.
- Lord Shiva granted him salvation by embracing him along with his body (Kaya – body, Aarohana – embrace).
Nagai Karonam:
- The King of Serpents worshipped Lord Shiva and was blessed with a three-breasted daughter.
- Lord Shiva’s boon: One breast would disappear when her destined husband arrived.
- King Shalisuhan of the Surya dynasty came, and the third breast vanished.
- The Naga king gave his daughter in marriage to Shalisuhan.
- As the Naga king worshipped here, the place became Nagai Karonam → Nagapattinam.

Saptha Vidanga Sthalam

Emperor Muchukunda received seven Lingas from Indra as a reward.
These small Lingas (Vidanga) were installed in seven places (Saptha Vidanga Sthalams).
The Linga here is made of ruby and is called Sundara Vidangar (beautiful).

Unique Features and Rituals

Irattai Parvai Nandhi (Twin View Nandhi):
- Nandhi Deva wanted to always see Lord Shiva.
- The Lord blessed him with the ability to see both Shiva and Neelayadakshi at the same time.
- This Nandhi is believed to bless those with vision problems.
Rare Custom – Lord’s Garlands and Clothes Placed on a Corpse:
- Normally, temples close when a death occurs nearby.
- However, in this temple, the garlands and clothes used for the deity are placed on the body of the deceased.
- This practice honors Adhipathar, a fisherman devotee of Shiva, who attained salvation here.
Lord’s Procession to Seven Places:
- Instead of circling the Mada Veedhis (streets) as usual, Lord Shiva visits seven locations:
  - Poigainallur
  - Poravacherry
  - Sikkal
  - Palur
  - Vadagudi
  - Thethi
  - Nagoor
- This tradition remembers King Salija’s worship at these places.
Vishnu accompanies Shiva during Pradosham:
- Lord Vishnu (as Mohini) accompanies Lord Shiva during Pradosham.
- This symbolizes the event when Vishnu served nectar to Devas, who forgot to worship Shiva.
- To seek forgiveness, Shiva performed the Pradosha Tandava (dance) on Nandhi.
- Devotees can see this unique Vishnu darshan only on Pradosham days.

Devotees and Festivals

Fisherman Adhipathar’s Devotion and Salvation:
- He always offered his first catch to Lord Shiva.
- Even when he caught only one fish a day, he continued the offering.
- One day, he caught a golden fish but still threw it back into the sea as an offering.
- Lord Shiva blessed him with moksha and made him one of the 63 Nayanmars.
- Festival: Celebrated on Ayilyam star day in Aavani (August-September).
- During the festival:
  - Fishermen symbolically catch two golden fish in a net.
  - Adhipathar (a devotee) goes in a catamaran to perform pujas to Lord Shiva with the golden fish.
Sages Worshipped Here:
- Saptha Rishis—Markandeya, Gauthama, Vasishta, Kashyapa, Pulasthya, Agasthya, and Angirasa—worshipped here.

Goddess Neelayadakshi

Neelayadakshi means “the one with blue eyes.”
She is in the form of a pubescent girl and is a Shakti Peetam.
She is among the five important goddesses representing different stages of life:
- Visalakshi (Kashi – Child)
- Kamakshi (Kanchi – Young Girl)
- Neelayadakshi (Nagapattinam – Pubescent Girl)
- Kamalambigai (Thiruvarur – Young Woman)
- Meenakshi (Madurai – Married Woman)

Beliefs

People pray for relief from the sins committed and for salvation. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.

Special Features

Processional Dance: The Thyagarajar Temple at Tiruvarur is famous for the ajapa thanam (dance without chanting), that is executed by the deity itself. According to legend, a Chola king named Mucukunta obtained a boon from Indra(a celestial deity) and wished to receive an image of Thyagaraja Swamy(presiding deity, Shiva in the temple) reposing on the chest of reclining Lord Vishnu. Indra tried to misguide the king and had six other images made, but the king chose the right image at Tiruvarur. The other six images were installed in Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam, Tirukarayil, Thirunallar, Thiruvaimur and Tirumaraikadu.All the seven places are villages situated in the river Cauvery delta. All seven Thyagaraja images are said to dance when taken in procession(it is the bearers of the processional deity who actually dance). The temples with dance styles are regarded as Saptha Vidangam(seven dance moves).

Festivals

Vaikasi Wedding festival in May-June; Aadi Pooram in July-August; Shivrathri in February-March; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple. The event of Sage Pundarika entering the shrine of Lord Shiva and merging with him is celebrated during the Arthajama Puja (last puja of the day) in Aani (June-July) on the day when the star Ayilyam rules the skies. The Abhishekam (ablution) is performed to the lingam daily at 9 AM and 8 P.M. When anyone from the sage’s family passes away, the body is brought to the temple gate. The deity’s clothes and garlands are brought out to adorn the body as a special blessing