Naganatha Swamy Temple, Trichy
Naganatha
Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Nandhi Koil street near Theppakulam/
Rockfort in Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Naganatha Swamy and Mother is called as Anandhavalli. The Temple is
believed to be older than Malaikkottai Thayumanavar Temple.
This
Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams around Trichy City. There
are Shiva temples for 5 elements of nature (Land, Water, Fire, Air, and Space)
inside Trichy and they are:
·
Boologanathar
Swamy Temple, East Boulevard Road
·
Velikanda Nathar Temple,
Palakkarai
·
Naganathar Temple, Nandhi
Koil Street
·
Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
West Boulevard road
·
Kailasanathar Temple, Big Bazaar
Street
Legends
Naganadar:
Some
sages, due to ego, thought they can live on their own without the blessings of
God. To awaken them Shiva fought with them and they diverted snakes against
Shiva. In turn, Shiva wore the snakes as ornaments and hence he got the name
Naganadar.
Sevvanthi Nadhar:
Saramamuni
worshipped Shiva of this place with Sevvanthi flowers and hence the name
Sevvanthi Nadhar.
The
Temple
The
temple is below the ground level. Presiding Deity is called as Naganatha Swamy /
Sevvanthi Nadhar. He is housed in the form of Lingam in the sanctum and is
facing east. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy. Mother is called as Anandhavalli and she
is housed in south facing Shrine.
Among
Navagraha, Surya alone is found with his consorts Usha and Pradyusha; all eight
planets are found facing towards him. Only the temples in Trichy and Thanjavur
regions have this sort of Navagraha. In the other regions, each planet is
facing in his own direction and not everyone faces Surya.
There
are shrines of Ganesha, Subramanya Swamy, Dhandayuthapani, Somaskandar and
Bairavar inside the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree. Theertham
associated with this Temple is Shiva Theertham.
Connectivity
The
Temple is situated in Nandhi Koil
street near Theppakulam/ Rockfort in Trichy City. The Temple is located
at about 300 meters from Singarathoppu Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Trichy Railway
Station, 3 Kms from Trichy Fort Railway Station, 1 Km from Trichy Town Railway
Station, 6 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 600 meters from Trichy Chatiram
Bus Station and 12 Kms from Trichy Airport.
Location