The Naganathar Temple at Thirunageswaram, on the outskirts of Kumbakonam, is a Shiva temple and one of the Navagraha temples, associated with Rahu. Shiva is worshipped as Naganathar, in the form of a lingam, with his consort Parvati as Piraisoodi Amman. The deity is praised in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns of Sambandar and Appar. The temple is also associated with Sekkizhar, the 12th-century author of the Periya Puranam.
Tradition
According to tradition, many serpents, among them Adisesha, Takshaka and Karkotaka, worshipped Shiva here, giving the place its name, Thirunageswaram. The area is said to have once been a forest of shenbagam trees. The goddess Girigujambal is believed to worship Shiva here with Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Architecture
The temple has four gateway towers and many shrines, of which those to Naganathar, Rahu and Piraisoodi Amman are the most important. Devotees believe that the milk poured over the image of Rahu during worship turns blue. Its most notable hall is the ornamental entrance hall built in the Nayak period.
Sources
Last reviewed October 6, 2026