Rahu Bhagwan, Thirunageswaram
Rahu Sthalam, Thirunageswaram
Sri Naganathaswamy Temple or Rahu Sthalam is one of the 9 Navagraha Temples around Kumbakonam and is dedicated to Rahu . The Presiding Deity is Lord Naganathaswamy. There are two Shrines for the Goddess; Piraiyanivanudalumai’s Shrine is adjacent to Naganathaswamy’s shrine and GiriGujambika with Lakshmi and Saraswathy by Her side has a separate temple. Rahu Bhagavan is seen with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni. Sri Naganathaswamy Temple is one where Lord Shiva was worshipped by Rahu and got relieved of a curse. (Read the post “Keezhaperumpallam – Kethu Temple“) A unique feature of Naganatha Swamy temple is that Rahu Bhagavan is seen with human face. Usually in other places, Rahu Bhagavan is seen with a serpent face. Here Rahu Bhagavan is present with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni. This was originally a forest of Senbaka trees. A Shivalingam was found under one of these trees here and hence He came to be known as Shenbagarane Eswara.
Nandi after worshipping Shiva attained the status as Nandeeswaran here. Vinayakar attained the status of Head of Ganas or Ganapathi. Indira, the King of Devas was relieved of bad smell emanating from his body by worshiping Goddess Girigujambalwith Punugu.
On entering the Eastern gate way, one can find the Vinayaga temple, Balipeedam, Nandeeswarar Mandapam and Dhwaja Sthambam (Flag post). On the southern side there is the temple tank. On entering the main gopuram, the Deity of Rahu Bhagavan is in the south West corner of the praharam.
Rahu Sthalam, Thirunageswaram
Pooja: Astrologers suggest that doing Milk abisekam (especially on Sundays) here for Rahu during Rahu kalam (period of 1and 1/2 hours occurring every day) the malefic effects of Rahu like marriage obstacles, lack of progeny, troubled marital life, Kalasarpa Dhosham, Kalasthra Dhosha, Sarpa Dhosha are all neutralized. During this milk abhishegam, the milk turns blue. Offering of blue cloth and ulutham paruppu (urad dal) is made here. Mantharai flower is considered special to him.
Reciting these mantra helps alleviate the malefic effects.
Rahu Moola Mantram: Aum bhram bhrim bhraum sah rahave namah.
Rahu Gayathri: om sookadhanthaya vidmahae ugra roopaya dheemahi tanno raahu: prachodayaath
Other Rahu Temples:
Seshapureeswarar temple at Thirupamburam
Vanchinathaswamy temple at SriVanchiyam
Sri Kalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh
Nelakanteswarar temple at Gerugambakkam near Chennai
Location:
Thirunageswaram is on the Kumbakonam – Kollumangudi – Peralam – Karaikal road. It is at a distance of 7 km from Kumbakonam.
Other Temples Nearby:
Uppiliappan Koil or Oppiliappan Koil – 1 Km
Prathyangara Devi temple – 2 Kms
Padikkasunathar Temple, Alagaputhur
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Thrirunaraiyur
Nachiyar Koil – 6.5 Kms
Boarding & Lodging:
This is a fairly big place and hence lot of accommodation is available. There are a few households in the Sannidhi street that have allocated a portion of their house for use of pilgrims. If you want to rest for a couple of hours in the afternoons here they would charge a nominal rate of Rs.50/- to Rs. 100/-.
At Uppiliappan Koil there are two Brahmin households that serve good homely food. Their contact details are as follows.
Sri Rama Catering Service: 0435-2463585, 9443092104, 9443679609
Sri Anjaneya Catering Service: 0435-2464029, 9443525235, 9442014787, 9360444788
It would be a good idea to call them up and inform a few hours before you land there, especially if you are a big group. If you land up there without information they may not be able to entertain you.
Temple Timings 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Rahukala pooja is conducted on all days and the temple is open during Rahukalam on all days.
Temple Address
SRI NAGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE,
(SRI RAHU STHALAM),
THIRUNAGESWARAM – 612 204,
KUMBAKONAM Taluk THANJAVUR District.
Phone – 0435 2463354