Shiva (Naganathaswamy) temple · Thirunageswaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Sri Naganathaswamy Temple at Thirunageswaram, about 6 km from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam–Karaikal road in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, is a Shiva temple that is the Navagraha kshetra for Rahu. Rahu, worshipped here as 'Mangala Rahu' with his consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni, has a shrine in the south-west corner of the temple (The Hindu).
Faith & Tradition
By legend, Rahu was freed of a sage's curse by worshipping Naganathaswamy here, which is why the deity bears the name Naganathar and the temple is a place for Rahu dosha remedies (The Hindu; Dinamalar). The milk poured in abhishekam on Rahu, usually during Rahu Kalam, is said to turn blue (The Hindu).
Rahu Peyarchi, Rahu's transit between zodiac signs every one and a half years, is marked with special homams and abhishekams over three days and draws tens of thousands of devotees, The Hindu reported.
Heritage
The temple's kudamuzhukku (consecration) was held in October 2021 with large crowds of devotees, Dinamani reported.
A sprawling complex with four rajagopurams, a hundred-pillared mandapam and 12 theerthams including the Surya Pushkarani (The Hindu).
Plan Your Visit
Rahu Peyarchi days are very crowded; confirm timings with the temple office.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 6 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Three days of homams and abhishekams for Rahu (The Hindu).
Location
Thirunageswaram is about 6 km from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam–Karaikal road (The Hindu).
Location: Thirunageswaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (Naganathaswamy) temples
Questions
At Thirunageswaram, about 6 km from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
Rahu, worshipped as Mangala Rahu with his consorts.
It is said that milk poured on Rahu during abhishekam turns blue.
Rahu's transit between zodiac signs every 18 months, marked with special rituals.
In October 2021, according to Dinamani.
Further reading: Sri Naganathaswamy Temple, Thirunageswaram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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