Naganathaswamy Temple (Rahu
Sthalam), Tirunageswaram – History
The temple is another
masterpiece which exhibits the Chola style of architecture. The Chola
King Kanadarathitya (950 AD-957 AD) changed it into a granite edifice. An
inscription inside the temple provides insights into the construction and
renovation of the temple in its current form and structure by Kanadarathitya
Chola. There are 16 stone inscriptions
in this temple which date back to the periods of Chola kings Kandarathithan,
Rajaraja and Rajendra I.
Sekkizhar, who wrote the famous
“Periya Puranam”, was an ardent Shiva devotee. He renovated this temple in the
12th century and built a hall in the second corridor. It is believed
that he received Thiruvadi Gnanam from Lord Shiva in this temple. Thiruvadi
Gnanam means that the lord’s feet are placed on a devotee’s head. He also built
a temple in his native place, Kundrathur near Chennai, and named that with this
temple’s name – Thirunageswaram.
In recognition of his contribution,
his sculpture along with those of his mother and brother are seen inside the
temple. There is also a grand festival celebrated in Vaikasi in memory of
Sekkizhar. Govinda Dikshitar (17th century A.D.) a minister to
Achuthappa Nayak constructed the outer Mandapam. Sambumali, a King built the
beautiful Surya Pushkarini beautifully. The roof and other renovation work were
done by Arimalazham Annamalai Chettiyar.
Gnaniyar Swamigal, the great
Saiva scholar, who was the pontiff at the Mutt at Thiruppapuliyur, was born
here. The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabhishekam) took place on
15.08.2005. This temple is under the administrative
control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of
Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).