Friday, September 9, 2016

Nageswarar Temple, Periyamanali, Namakkal

Nageswarar Temple, Periyamanali, Namakkal
Nageswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Periyamanali in Namakkal District of Tamilnadu. As Naga-serpent worshipped Lord in the temple, He is praised as Nageswarar. 
Legends
There lived in this place, a woman alone after losing her husband. As a staunch devotee, she never failed in her worship of the Lord who granted darshan to her, according to the Sthala Purana – local history. During the darshan, the devotee also noticed a serpent-Naga coming from the Shiva Linga, circumambulated the Lord and disappeared. Hence, Lord is praised as Nageswarar.
The Temple
Presiding deity is called as Nageswarar and Mother is called as Sivakami. The temple has shrines for Mother Durga, Lords Dakshinamurthi, Brahmma, Kalabhairava, Kalyana Subramaniar and planets Sun and Moon.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January; Maha Shivrathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple besides the monthly Pradoshams. Masi Shivarathri in February-March is a great event in the temple. The Prasad offered on the Annabishekam day in Aipasi (October-November) is considered very sacred as it would bless the devotees with child boon. The devotee crowd on the Shivrathri day will be huge from all nearby places as Rasipuram, Tiruchengode and Komarapalayam besides Namakkal.  
Prayers
People pray here for relief from the adverse aspects of serpent and other planets, for wedding boon and for lasting unity between couples. People throng the temple to worship Lord Shiva for relief from the slowdown in business, for unity in family and for reunion of couples separated for various reasons earlier. Devotees perform abishek and archanas to Lord and Mother offering vastras.
Connectivity
Peria Manali is 5 km far from a place called Vaiyappamalai on the Rasipuram-Thiruchengodu road. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruchengodu. Nearest Airport is located at Coimbatore.