Naganatha Swamy Temple,
Poyyakudi, Mayiladuthurai
Naganatha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Poyyakudi Village in Mayiladuthurai Taluk in Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Naganatha Swamy and Mother is called as Saantha Nayagi. This temple is considered as Parihara Sthalam for Naga Dosha, Rahu and Ketu doshas. Poyyakudi was called as Poigai Kudi in ancient times.
Legends
It is believed that planets Rahu and Ketu worshipped Lord Shiva here.
The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with three tiered Rajagopuram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. The Maha Mandapam is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam). There is another Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen in Maha Mandapam facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Naganatha Swamy and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Saantha Nayagi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. There are shrines and idols of Vinayagar, Murugan, Selva Vinayagar, Nardana Vinayagar, Rahu, Ketu, Lord Vishnu with his consort Maha Lakshmi, Bhairavar, Suryan and Saneeswarar in the temple premises.
Religious Significance
The specialty of the temple is
on the auspicious day of Shivrathri, those who visit Thirumangalam Bhoologanathar Temple on first Kaala Pooja, Mangudi Shivaloganathar Temple
on second Kaala Pooja, Poyyakudi Naganathar Temple on third Kaala Pooja and
again Thirumangalam Bhoologanathar Temple on fourth Kaala Pooja will get the benefit of worshipping
all Shivalingas in in the world.
Prayers
This temple is considered as
Parihara Sthalam for Naga Dosha, Rahu and Ketu doshas.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2
Kms from Kali, 2 Kms from Thirumangalam Bhoologanathar Temple,
3 Kms from Mangudi Shivaloganathar Temple, 8 Kms from Thiruvelvikudi, 12 Kms
from Mayiladuthurai Junction Railway Station, 13 Kms from Mayiladuthurai Old
Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Mayiladuthurai New Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Mayiladuthurai
and 123 Kms from Trichy Airport. Devotees need to take the Kallanai – Poompuhar
Road from Mayiladuthurai towards Kumbakonam, take a diversion at Mappadugai towards
Ponnur, then take a diversion at Ponnur towards Thirumangalam and the temple is
situated at about 2 Kms from Thirumangalam.