Nageswara Swamy Temple, Kumbakonam – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram and has two prakarams. There is a stucco image of Padagacheri Sri Ramalinga Swamigal with his Hundi can be seen at the Rajagopuram. The temple consists of three gopurams in the eastern, western and southern directions. It is great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy.
The orientation is structured in such a way that it allows sunlight inside the temple, right on the sanctum only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May). It bears another name called Surya Kottam or Keezha Kottam. Nandavanam (flower garden) can be found at the left side immediately after the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajastambam and Nandhi can be found before sanctum entrance arch.
Sanctum:
The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of sanctum, Antarala and Artha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Nageswara Swamy / Naganathar / Madanthai Pahar / Vilva Nesar / Selva Piran / Paathala Beeja Nathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Murthy. Bana is seated on a big Avudaiyar. Bana is smaller in size. The rays of the Sun falls directly in the base of the presiding deity in sanctum sanctorum for the first three days of Tamil month Chitirai (April - May).
The Vimana over the sanctum follows vesara style. The sanctum is of padabandha padmaka type stands on padmopana. The lotus leaves of the padmopana are carved with vitality. The epic scenes are in low relief on the plinth below the pilasters of the walls of the sanctum, recalling the wood work. Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar can be seen in his usual location.
Mother Shrine:
Mother is called as Periyanayaki / Brahan Nayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Mother Shrine is situated on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram in the outer prakaram. Mother Shrine looks like a separate individual temple. The shrine consists of sanctum and Artha Mandapam. The Vimana over the shrine follows vesara style.
Nataraja Shrine:
The complex of Nataraja shrine is in the form of a chariot on wheel drawn by horses as in the case of Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram and Sarangapani Temple in Kumbakonam. Lord Nataraja here is also praised as Anantha Koothar. Nataraja Sabha is called as Perambalam. The chariot has stone wheels on both sides and is aesthetically designed with two stone horses and four stone elephants pulling it.
The 12 spokes on the wheels are said to represent the 12 zodiac signs. The other noteworthy feature is Mother Sivakami is playing the Tala to the dance of the Lord Nataraja and Lord Vishnu playing the flute feasting the eyes of the devotees. Nataraja Sabha is situated on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram.
Gangai Vinayagar Shrine:
During Rajendra Chola's Ganges expedition, the victorious Chola army brought a beautiful Vinayagar statue as a war trophy to the Chola Empire. The Vinayagar statue was kept at this temple and was aptly named as Gangai Vinayagar. Currently, the Vinayagar is present in the Ardha mandapam, in front of the sanctum of Nageswarar. The Vinayagar seems to be in the Pala style.
Saptha Vidanga Lingams:
There are Saptha Vidanga Lingams namely Thyagaraja (Thiruvarur), Dharbaranyeswarar (Thirunallar), Kayarohanaswami (Nagapattinam), Kannayariamudayar (Thirukkaravasal), Vaimoornathar (Thiruvaimur), Brahmapureeswarar (Thirukkuvalai) and Vedaranyeswarar (Vedaranyam) in the prakaram.
Rahu Shrine:
There is a separate shrine for Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagrahas, in the temple premises.
Pralaya Kala Rudra Shrine:
The Temple is noted for its Pralaya Kala Rudra Shrine which cannot be seen anywhere else.
Other Shrines:
There are shrines and idols of Vinayaka, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Juragara Vinayakar, Somaskandar, Saptamatrikas, Valanchuzhi Vinayakar, Mahakali, Agni Veerabhadra, Vaidyanatha Swamy along with his consort Thaiyalnayaki, Vishnu Durga, Padaivetti Mariamman, Suryan, Gajalakshmi, Adiseshan and Ayyanar in the temple premises. Goddess Mahakali and Lord Agni Veerabhadra (Urdhava Thandavamoorthy) are placed opposite to each other.
Theerthams:
Surya Theertham and Naga Theertham are Theerthams associated with this Temple. Singa Mukha Theertha (lion faced sacred spring) can be found at the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram.
Sthala Vriksham:
Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam tree.
