Naganathaswamy Temple (Rahu
Sthalam), Tirunageswaram – Worship Practices
The temple priests perform
the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other
Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaivite community,
a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day;
Ushathkalam at 6:00 a.m., Kalasanthi at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at
1:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m.
and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 p.m.
There is a separate calendar for
the Rahu Abhishekam (sacred ablution): it is performed twice in a day at 11:30
a.m and 5:30 p.m. and additionally twice at various times in the day. Each
ritual comprises four steps: Abhishekam (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food
offering) & deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Shiva and Mother.
The worship is held amidst music
with Nadaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion
instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) read by priests
and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast.