Nageswaran Temple | |
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Nageswaran Temple
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Name | |
Other names: | Kudanthai Keezhakottam |
Location | |
Country: | India |
State: | Tamil Nadu |
District: | Thanjavur |
Location: | Kumbakonam |
Temple Details | |
Primary Deity: | Nageswaran(Shiva) |
Temple Tank: | Surya Theertham |
Appeared For: | Vanni |
Architecture and culture | |
Architectural styles: | Dravidian architecture |
Nageswaran Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India.[1] The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Thevaram and is classifed as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king and is located in the centre of Kumbakonam.
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Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. It is great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. The orientation is structured in such a way that it allows sunlight inside the temple, right on the sanctum only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May). It bears another name called Surya Kottam or Keezha Kottam. The Karuvarai(Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to Sarangapani Temple, as it is made in the form of a Chariot. The temple consists of three gopurams in the eastern, western and southern directions.
This vast temple known is for its shrine of Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagrahas. A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Lord Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Thirunallar. There is a Naganathar temple at Tirunageswaram having similar features like temple.
This place has been referred in thevaram written by Saint Tamil poet of 7th Century AD, Thirugnana Sambanthar.[2]
The nearest railway station is Kumbakonam, about 2 kilometres from the town. The nearest airport is Trichy.
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