Naganathaswamy Temple, Keezhaperumpallam – Legends
Naganatha Swamy:
During the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra
Manthana), Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, a
Nagaraja who abides on Lord Shiva's neck, became the churning rope. During
the churning process, the Halahala poison escaped from the mouth of the serpent
king Vasuki. This terrified the gods and demons because the poison was so
powerful that it could destroy all of creation. Despite this, the Devas and the
Asuras pulled back and forth on the snake's body alternately, causing the
mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean.
The Devas then approached Lord Shiva for
protection. Lord Shiva consumed the poison. Lord Shiva was suffering intense
pain. Mother Parvati immediately places a hand on his throat, stopping the
poison to flow any further, and by her Maya stopped it forever. As a
result, his throat turned blue and he was henceforth called Neelakantha (the
blue-throated one; Neela – blue, Kantha – throat in Sanskrit).
Vasuki felt that it had caused Lord Shiva to swallow its
poison and performed penance seeking pardon from Lord Shiva. Pleased with his
penance, Lord Shiva gave darshan to Vasuki at this
place. Further, Vasuki requested Lord Shiva to stay at this
place. Lord Shiva accepted the request of Vasuki and stayed in this
place. As Vasuki worshipped Lord Shiva here, Lord Shiva came to be
called as Naganatha Swamy.
Birth of
Kedhu:
During the churning of the milky ocean, when Amrutha, the
heavenly nectar of immortality, was released. Fierce fighting ensued between
the Devas and the Asuras for it. The Devas appealed to Vishnu, who took the
form of Mohini and, as a beautiful and enchanting damsel, distracted the
Asuras; then, she took the amrita and distributed it among the Devas, who drank
it. An Asura named Swarbanu disguised himself as a deva and drank some nectar. Surya and
Chandra noticed this disguise and informed to Mohini.
Mohini cut off his head with the Sudarsana Chakra before
the nectar could pass the Asura's throat. From that day, his head was
called Rahu and his body Ketu, which both later became planets. It
is said that Kethu prayed to Naganathaswami and got relief from his sins. It is
rare to find Kethu with his head. Rahu can be seen worshipping Lord Shiva with
his folded hands held high in this
temple.