Kaayaaroganeswarar Temple, Nagaikaaronam (Nagapattinam)

Location of the temple

Nagaikaaronam (Nagapattinam)

Lord Shiva known as

Kaayaaroganeswarar, Adhipuraaneswarar

Female deity known as

Karuntadankanni, Neelaayadaakshi

Pathigam

Thirunavukarasar, Sambandar, Sundarar

How to reach

This sivasthalam temple is located in Nagapattinam town. A Divya Desam shrine of Lord Vishnu is also located at Nagapattinam in the vicinity of Shiva temple.

Nagapattinam Kayarohanaswamy temple is one of the sapthavitanga sthalams. It is better known as the temple of Neelayadakshi. The main deity in this temple is Kayarohanaswamy. 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 here is Neelayadakshi. Neelayadakshi means the one with the blue eyes. She is in the form of a pubescent girl, and is believed to be one of the Shakti Peetams. 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).

The Vidangar in this temple is the Sundara Vidangar and the Abhishekam is performed at 9 AM and 8 PM everyday. However, this one is not one of the original lingams, which was stolen ages ago, and recently replaced by a Gomedakam lingam.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Kayaroganeswarar and his consort known as Neelayadakshi Amman. This is one of Sakthi Peetam. Urchavar here, known as Chandra shekarar. Sthala Vinayakar of this temple is known as Nagabarana Vinayakar. Thyagesar sannidhi is next to main sanctum. At the back of main Lingam in the sanctum we see Somaskanda moorthy.

Amman sannidhi is separate sanctum with a kodi maram in front. Here Ambal is like a teenage girl before marriage. Nandi Devar in the temple of Ambal sanctum in front is seen with his head turned towards Lord Siva’s Sanctum.

Purana says Nandi in this sanctum, was appointed to take care of Ambal who is teenage girl before marriage. Since Nandi is devotee of Lord Siva he said he wanted to have darshan of Lord Siva always. Lord asked him to stay here and have darshan of Him.

This is the reason for Nandi turning his face towards Lord Siva’s Sanctum. Nandi eye is sculptured in such way one eye is looking at Lord Siva and the other eye towards Ambal.

Sthala Vruksham is Mango tree and teertham known as Pundareeka teertham and Deva teertham

Importance of this place is Adiseshan worshiped Lord Siva here. Adipattha Nayanar was born in this place and attained Mukthy here. King Dasarathaworshiped installed Sani Bagawan in this temple and worshiped. Ashtabuja Durgai and Asthabuja Bairavar are seen as we go around the prakaram. Arumugan is seen with Thiruvasi and 12 hands holding weapons.