Sri Nageswaram Udayar Temple / Sri Nageswaramudayar Temple / Adhi Rahu Sthalam, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th September 2019.

The visit to this Sri Nageswaramudayar Temple also called as adhi Rahu sthalam at Sirkazhi was a part of Temples Visit, in and around Sirkazhi on 15^th September.  One the second day visit before leaving to Chennai went to this temple. It was little late after sun set, when we entered the temple. With little light had the darshan of Lord Shiva,  Sri Nageswaram Udayar. This temple is also called as Adhi Raghu sthalam.

Moolavar : Sri Nageswaramudayar

Consort   : Sri Ponnaaga Valli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram slightly skewed towards south east direction ( may be to match the road junction ). Stucco image of dwarapalakas are in front of Rajagopuram and artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.  Balipeedam, Nandhi are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Dakshinamurthy is in Koshtam.

In prakaram,  Sri Ponnagavalli Amman, Raghu,  Kethu, Naga devathas,  Bhairavar, Suryan and Vinayagar. Saneeswarar Temple with his consort, shares his place to Raghu in the same shrine is a special of this temple.

HISTORY  & ARCHITECTURE:

It was claimed that  this temple is the earliest than the Nageswaran temple of Kumbakonam and hence called Adhi Raghu sthalam. The temple is believed to be built during Chozha’s  period and no inscription was found. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhandha adhisthana and a ekathala vesara vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.

Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2006.

LEGEND

As-per the legend.. While churning the milk ocean,  by the Devas and asuras the nectar came last. There was a fight between them for, who has to drink. To resolve, Vishnu took the Mohini avatar and appeared before them. On seeing Mohini the Asuras forget the nectar and went behind him. While distributing the nectar, one asura / demon Swarbhanu who was born to Vibrasita and Rania’s sister Simhi, took the form of Devas and stood between Surya and Chandran and consumed the nectar. Sun and Moon gave signal to  Vishnu in the form of body’s gesture. Vishnu  took a spoon and hit on his head. The asura Swarbhanu split in to head and body. The head had fallen down at Sirkazhi and the body fallen down at Sembambinkudi, now called as Semmangudi, near Sirkazhi.

Since the Asura / demon drank the nectar, he re-appeared as two snakes. Booth took penance  consuming only the air on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before them and  asked their wishes. Both replied that they want to rule Sun and Moon, since they are only responsible for their present condition. Lord Shiva said that he cannot grant this boon, alternatively  they can harm them for few hours, on no moon day and full moon day. One snake took the Asura / demon head with snake body as Raghu and other snake   took the form of Snake head with Asura’s body as Kethu. With Lord Shiva’s boon Raghu has got the position as a planet.

This is a parihara sthalam for Raghu, Kalasarpa Dosha, Putra dosha, Mangalya dosha, Kalathra dosha would be solved after praying Adhi Raghu of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Muthu Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 9443785862 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Thenpathi, a part of Sirkazhi city.

The temple is about 1.1 KM from Sirkazhi Railway station, 25 KM from Mayiladuthurai and 72 KM from Nagapattinam city the district head quarters.

Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---