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Thirunageswaram temple
Sanbakaranyeswarar Temple, Tirunageswaram Location of the temple Tirunageswaram Lord Shiva known as Sanbakaranyeswarar, Naganathar Female deity known as Girikusambikai Pathigam Thirunavukarasar, Sambandar, Sundarar How to reach This temple is located 5 Kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam - Nannilam road. A Divya Desam shrine of Lord Vishnu is located at Tiruvinnagar (Uppiliyappan Kovil) which is about 2 Kms from Tirunageswaram. Tiruppamburam route map Temples at Thirunageswaram There are two major temples at Thirunageswaram. One of them is the famous Vaishnavaite temple of Oppliyappan (Oppliyappan Sannadhi), the other the Thiru Nageswarar or Naganatha Swami (Naga in Tamil/Sanskrit means Snake and Natha means God) temple for Shaivaites. Oppliyappan temple attracts pilgrims throughout the year. Ramanavami is celebrated every year in a grand manner in the months of April/May. Thirukalyanam and Kanakibishekam are the two important events in Ramanavami festival. This temple food is always done without salt in any food. No one should ever take anything that contains salt into this temple. External Link An important feature of Naganatha Swami temple is that of Rahu bhagawan (one of the nine celestial bodies) sannathi. It is the 29th in the series of Tevara Stalams located south of the river Kaveri. Here milk abhishekham is performed daily during Rahukaalam. At this time, the milk that is poured on the statue turns blue when it passes over the body and once again to white after it reaches the floor. This wonder is watched by many daily during the Raahu Kaalam. This is also the only place wherein one can view Rahu bhagawan with his consorts. The mythological serpents Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Nala worshipped Shiva here too. Gowtama muni, Paraasarar and Bhageerata are also associated with this temple. Sri Thirupureeswarar temple at Pateeswaram, 5 km south-east of Kumbakonam, was constructed during the 16th century by Govinda Dikshithar, a Minister of Nayak King Acchathappa.