Nagapattinam is situated about 25 Km away from Thanjavur. This temple is dedicated to "Karayoganaswami" and "Neelayadakshi". This place is hailed as one of the Shakthi Peetams.
The main deity in this temple is Karayoganaswamy – it is believed that the lord blessed his devotee Sage Pundari to attain moksha with his body. The rishi also asked for moksha for his descendants, and till this date, when anyone from the sage’s family passes away, the body is brought to the temple gate, where the lord’s clothes and garlands are brought to adorn the body, thus blessing it.
The goddess, Neelayadakshi, is the one with the blue eyes. She is in the form of a pubescent girl, and is believed to be one of the Shakti Peethams. She is also considered to be one among the five most important goddesses, all in different stages of life. These are – Visalakshi [Kashi – Child], Kamakshi [Kanchi – young girl], Neelayadakshi [Nagai – pubescent], Kamalambigai [Thiruvarur – young woman] and Meenakshi [Madurai – married woman].
Lord Thyagaraja is known here as "Sundara Vidanga" and He performs "Paaraavaara Tharanga Natanam". The intricate workmanship of "Panchamukha Vinayaka" seated on a lion, is indeed noteworthy.
Abhishekam is performed at 9 AM and 8 PM everyday. However, this one is not one of the original lingams; The original Lingam is said to have been stolen ages ago, and recently replaced by a Gomedakam lingam.
There is another temple located nearby which is dedicated to Sri Soundararaja Perumal. This is one of the 108 Tirupathi's. His consort is Sundaravalli Thayar.
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