Sirkazhi Nageswaram Udayar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Sirkazhi Nageswaram Udayar Temple, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam District – 609110.

Diety

Naganathar / Nageswarar / Nageswaram Udayar AMMAN: Punnagavalli

Introduction

Nageswaram Udayar Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located at Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Naganathar / Nageswarar / Nageswaram Udayar and Mother is called as Punnagavalli Amman. The temple is built during the 10th century. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is considered as Adhi Rahu Sthalam. This is an east facing Temple with a 3-tiered Rajagopuram. There are shrines for Vinayaga and Murugan at the entrance of Rajagopuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Ardhamandapam, Mahamandapam and sanctum. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There are separate shrines for Planets Ragu and Ketu in the Temple premises. Both the shrines are facing west. Lord Dakshinamurthy Shrine can be found in the Koshta in the southern side of the sanctum. Shrines of Suryan, Vinayaga and Bhairava can be found in the northeast side of the Temple premises. Shrine of Chandikeswarar can be found in the north west side of the temple.

Puranic Significance

After churning the ocean of milk, Nectar appeared. A contest arose between the Devas and Asuras, the demons as to who should consume it. Lord Vishnu appeared before them as a beautiful Mohini enticing everybody. In their intoxication, Asuras wanted to have Mohini for themselves. They forgot their nectar claim also. Devas understood that it was play by Lord Vishnu. Among the demons, one Swarbanu managed to move to side of devas. Sun and Moon alerted Lord Vishnu by their body language. Lord Vishnu struck the demon with the spoon in his hand, separated his head and body. The head fell at Sirkazhi then known as Sirapuram and the body at Sembambinkudi (now called Semmangudi) near Sirkazhi. Yet as the demon had consumed the nectar, his separated body re-appeared as two serpents. The serpents began to perform penance on Lord Shiva with air alone as their food. Lord Shiva appeared before the serpents and enquired about their wish. They sought a boon to rule over Sun and Moon who were responsible for their condition and also to rule over the world. Lord Shiva said that they cannot have their hands on Sun and Moon as they are indispensable for the welfare of people. They can harm them for a few hours during the eclipse times occurring on the new moon and full moon days. Ragu with demon head and snake body while Ketu appeared with snake head and demon body became north and south lunar nodes and became part of Navagrahas. Raghu Baghwan enjoys the luck of consuming the nectar and the status of being in the group of Devas. He also removes the evil effects on those who suffer from his position in the respective horoscopes.

Beliefs

Those seeking remedies from the adverse impact and position of planet Ragu at the time of birth undertake worships for 11 weeks and are advised to do Annadhanam – feeding at the end. In doing so, devotees believe that the problems of delay in marriage, Kalathra dosha affecting the bride/groom, Mangalya dosha, Putra dosha, Naga dosha and Kalasarpa doshas would be solved. During the Ragu Kala time each day, on Sundays in particular beginning from 4.30 p.m. and lasting till 6.00 p.m., after worshipping Lord Vinayaka, Lord Shiva and Mother Ambika, the devotee should draw Rangolis in the Raghu shrine with rice flour called Makkolam. They should also spread Uru Dal without removing the black skin and light a ghee lamp on this dal base. They must worship the planet with grass (Arugampul) and flowers. They must circumambulate the shrine anti clockwise 9 times. They should also do step by step Pradakshina. The duration is 11 weeks.

Special Features

Sirkazhi had a fertile garden created by Indira. It became dry due to drought. Lord Vinayaka took the form of crow and upset the Kamandala (a water bowl carried by sages) and the water therein began to flow as river. This river called Kazhumala Nadhi is still flowing in the north of Sirkali temple as the holy Theertha of the place. Sani Bhagawan with his consort shares his place in the shrine of Ragu as his close friend. This is a very rare set up not to be seen in any Shiva Temple.

Festivals

The temple celebrates Maha Shivrathri in February-March on a grand scale. Aippasi, Masi and Chithirai Month Annabishekam are also celebrated here. Rahu Peyarchi (Rahu Transition Days), Maha Shivaratri and Chithirai New year are also celebrated here with much fanfare.