Rahu Temple - Thirunageswaram - The Eigth of the Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu

Sri Naganathaswamy Temple or Rahu Sthalam is one of the 9 Navagraha Temples around Kumbakonam [Thirunageswaram] and is dedicated to Rahu . The Presiding Deity is Lord Naganathaswamy. There are two Shrines for the Goddess; Piraiyanivanudalumai’s Shrine is adjacent to Naganathaswamy’s shrine and GiriGujambika with Lakshmi and Saraswathy by Her side has a separate temple. Rahu Bhagavan is seen with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni. Sri Naganathaswamy Temple is one where Lord Shiva was worshipped by Rahu and got relieved of a curse.

Rahu Sthalam - Thirunageswaram A unique feature of Naganatha Swamy temple is that Rahu Bhagavan is seen with human face. Usually in other places, Rahu Bhagavan is seen with a serpent face. Here Rahu Bhagavan is present with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni. This was originally a forest of Senbaka trees. A Shivalingam was found under one of these trees here and hence He came to be known as Shenbagarane Eswara.

Nandi after worshipping Shiva attained the status as Nandeeswaran here. Vinayakar attained the status of Head of Ganas or Ganapathi. Indira, the King of Devas was relieved of bad smell emanating from his body by worshiping Goddess Girigujambal with Punugu.

On entering the Eastern gate way, one can find the Vinayaga temple, Balipeedam, Nandeeswarar Mandapam and Dhwaja Sthambam (Flag post). On the southern side there is the temple tank. On entering the main gopuram, the Deity of Rahu Bhagavan is in the south West corner of the praharam

Rahu - The Serpent God - Thirunegeswaram Pooja

Astrologers suggest that doing Milk abisekam (especially on Sundays) here for Rahu during Rahu kalam (period of 1and 1/2 hours occurring every day ) the malefic effects of Rahu like marriage obstacles, lack of progeny, troubled marital life, Kalasarpa Dhosham, Kalasthra Dhosha , Sarpa Dhosha are all neutralized. During this milk abhishegam, the milk turns blue. Offering of blue cloth and ulutham paruppu (urad dal) is made here. Mantharai flower is considered special to him.

Reciting these mantra helps alleviate the malefic effects.

Rahu Moola Mantram: Aum bhram bhrim bhraum sah rahave namah.

Rahu Gayathri: om sookadhanthaya vidmahae ugra roopaya dheemahi tanno raahu: prachodayaath

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Rahukala pooja is conducted on all days and the temple is open during Rahukalam on all days.

Temple Address

SRI NAGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE, [SRI RAHU STHALAM], THIRUNAGESWARAM – 612 204, KUMBAKONAM Taluk THANJAVUR District. Phone – 0435 2463354.