68. NAGOOR

NAGAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 6kms Nagapattinam 

Shiva: Naganadhar

Amman: Nagavalli

Sthala Viruksham: Ponnai

Theertham: Chandra Theertham 

Speciality:

The old name of Nagore was Punnagavanam.

Nageswarar is a Suyambhu Linga appeared on the day of Vaikasi Visakam as a Dharshan to Vishnu.

The Jwaraharaeswarar Sannidhi is a special sannidhi of this temple.

The temple gopuram is 5 tiered facing east direction.

There are 3 urchavars in the temple - Chandhrasekarar, Thyagarajar and Kalyanasundharar.

Onto the right side of the outer Praharaj there is the Chandra Theertham Pond. To the left side there is the garden (nandhavanam). 

In the inner praharam there is a Shrine for Rahu Bagavan. 

Nobody died of Snake bite in this place. 

People who come to worship this temple get relieved from Naaga Dhosha, Kaala Sarpa Dhosha, Mangalya Dhosha and Puthra Dhosha. 

The devotees offer corns equal to their weight as Thulabaram as parihara as a worship.

Brahma, Sage Durvasa, Indiran, Chandran, Rudhra Sanma, Saptha Rishis and many others have worshipped this temple in all the 4 Yugas.

Nagaraja got relieved from his curse by worshipping Shiva in this temple. 

The Chandra Theertham was created by Chandra Bagavan. This theertham is equal to Ganga waters at Gaya. All rituals performed to the ancestors are done here.

Charities done in this temple yield more benefits. 

Nageswarar stands beyond 4 Yugas. 

Chandran performed 10 days worship starting from the full moon day in the month of Aani. He performed rituals like Hoisting the flag, Theerthavari, Brahmotsavam and Iraivanadi Sevai. 

Indiran performs the similar form of rituals for 10 days from the Sivarathiri day which falls on the full moon day of Maasi.

This temple has the same importance as that of the Chidambaram temple. The deity, sthala and theertham are of great importance here. The Rahu Sannidhi of this temple has the same power as the Rahu of Thirunageswaram.

This temple was built by Cholas.

History:

Nagaraja was spending his time with his wife on the Shivarathiri during pooja time. Sambhuthathan a Brahmin boy was bit by a snake and he died immediately. His father came to know about this through his Gnana Drishti (wisdom eye). He cursed the snake king Nagaraja that he would lose his strength, power and wisdom and he would stray in the forest all alone. Nagaraja came to know of this and he fell on the feet of the Brahmin and asked him for Sapa Vimochana (relief from curse). He said that nagaraja should meet his father Kashyapa. This took place after 1000years. When he met him he instructed Nagaraja to worship Kumbakonam Vilva Vana Naganadhar First, Thirunageswaram Naganadhar Second, Thirupamburam Seshapureeswarar Third and Punnagavanam (Nagore) finally on a Shivarathiri day and surrender himself to the Naganadhar here to get relieved from the curse. He did so and got relieved from the Brahmin's curse by the blessings of Lord Shiva. Since. the Naga King worshipped Naganadhar the Amman was also called Nagavalli.