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.

Lord Murugan, Thirumal, Agasthiyar, Vashistar, Musukunda Chakkravarthy, worshiped Lord Siva and they were blessed by Him. Lord Siva of this temple was worshiped by Saptha Rishis.

Sthala Purana says Pundareeka Muni, meditated and worshiped Lord Siva to attain “Mukthi” He was guided by Kanva maharishi to do so. Lord Siva was pleased and “He” embrased Muni and gave Mukthi. Hence Lord Siva is known as Kayaroganeswarar.

Azhuguni chittar jeeva samadi is in the temple.

Thiru Gyanasambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar composed Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.

Stone inscriptions of First Rajarajan and Kulothungan period are seen in temple.

Temples of Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu

Temples of Nagapattinam district are best known for the wide array of temple festivals. Nagapattinam district is located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. Tourists from various places come to visit the sacred places like Poombuhar, the temple of Lord Anjaneyar, Dargha in Nagore near Nagapattinam, Sowriraja Perumal Temple, Shri Kayahorana Swami Neelayathatchi Amman Temple, and Nellukkadai Mariamman Temple and the virgin beaches.

Agneeswarar Temple is one of the well-known Temples of Nagapattinam district. This is a Shivasthalam located at Annur and was built by Chola rulers. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple enshrines Agneeswarar as the chief deity along with his divine spouse Goddess Parvati. Mythology says that Agni worshipped Lord Shiva at this place. Arudra Darisanam is the famous annual festival celebrated here amid much pomp and splendor. Naganathaswamy Temple, located at Kizhaperumpallam is again dedicated to Lord Shiva. However this temple also has a separate shrine for Kethu. It is believed that the king of serpents, Vasuki, did penance and worshipped Lord Shiva at this place.

Sri Devathirajan Temple, one among the famous temples of Nagapattinam district, is situated in Therezhandur village in Mayiladuthurai and the main deity of the temple is 10 foot tall with Garuda balanced to his left and Prahlad along with Markanteya Maharishi to his right. The idol is decorated with a golden kireedam (helmet), sagasranama necklace and golden anklet. The main festivals of the temple are the Sri Ramar Utsavam and Vasantha Utsavam in Chithirai, Brahma Utsavam in Vaikasi, Sri Andal Utsavam in Aadi. Located at Poompuhar, Tiruchaaikadu Temple is a shaivite shrine and an important temple of Nagapattinam district.

Vyagrapureeswarar Temple is a famous shrine located at Puliyur, about 7 km from Nagapattinam. Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Vyagrapureeswarar, along with Goddess Parvati. The temple complex also has separate shrines for Durga, Dakshinamurthy, Mariamman, Goddess Lakshmi and Surya. Nagore Dhargah and Tiruvarur Thyagaraja Temple are nearby attractions. Iravatheswarar Temple is a highly honored temple of Nagapattinam district, located at Maelai Thirumananjeri close to Mayiladuthurai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Shanmugar Temple with the deity Lord Muruga in standing posture along with his consorts Valli and Devayanai, bears inscriptions from the temple that reveal the history of the Chola period. There are separate shrines for Bhramapureeswarar, Anandavalli, Dakshinamurthy and Mahalakshmi in the temple. Skanda Shashti, the major festival here. Mayuranathar Temple is one of the important temples of Nagapattinam district with a unique blend of fine sculpture and exquisite architecture. Airavateswarar Temple, Neelamegaperumal Temple, Tiruppunkur Sivalokanathar Temple, Tiruchaaikadu Temple and Arulsomanathar Temple are some more important temples of Nagapattinam district.