Nageshwaran Temple
Location: Kumbakonam, 2kms from Kumbakonam Bus stand (Kumbakonam to
Thanjavur road) 36 kms from Thanjavur
Sthalas Name:
Arulmigu Sri Nageswaran Temple
Arulmigu Sri Nageswaran Temple
DEITY:
God: Naganathar
Goddess: Periyanayaki
Theertham : Nagatheertham, Singa Theeertham
Speciality of The Sthala:
One of the most ancient temples in Kumbakonam, the small Nageswara Swami - Shiva temple, one of the finest early Chola temples, is noted for the quality of its sculpture, thought to have been completed a few years into the reign of Parantaka I (907 - 940). Adisesha and Surya had worshipped Sri Nageswara here. When Adisesha was groaning under the weight of the world, he came to Kuvinvanam, the present Nageswara temple and did penance. Siva and Parvati appeared before Adisesha and blessed him with enough strength. A well in the temple is called Naga Theertham.
One of the most ancient temples in Kumbakonam, the small Nageswara Swami - Shiva temple, one of the finest early Chola temples, is noted for the quality of its sculpture, thought to have been completed a few years into the reign of Parantaka I (907 - 940). Adisesha and Surya had worshipped Sri Nageswara here. When Adisesha was groaning under the weight of the world, he came to Kuvinvanam, the present Nageswara temple and did penance. Siva and Parvati appeared before Adisesha and blessed him with enough strength. A well in the temple is called Naga Theertham.
The Bilva leaves that were used for
worshipping the nectar Kalasa fell on a spot and became a Linga. That came to
be known as Vilvanesar. How this Vilvanesar came to be called Nageswar is an
interesting story.
Nageswaran
Temple is a Hindu temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva located
in Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India. The
temple is incarnated by the hymns of Thevaram and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Shiva in
the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king and is located in the centre of Kumbakonam.
Aditya Chola constructed this temple during the 12th century. It is great marvel of Chola architecture, building technology and astronomy. The orientation is structured in such a way that it allows sunlight inside the temple, right on the sanctum only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May). It bears another name called Surya Kottam or Keezha Kottam. The Karuvarai(Sanctum Sanctorum) of Nageswaran temple is similar to Sarangapani Temple, as it is made in the form of a Chariot. The temple consists of three gopurams in the eastern, western and southern directions. There is a local belief that the worship during morning, afternoon and evening needs to be performed at the three Nageswaran temples namely Nageswaran Temple, Tirunageswaram and Thirupampuram respectively.
Architecture
The temple shows early Chola art in its best
form particularly in the form of human figures. The sanctum is of padabandha-padmaka type
stands on padmopana. The lotus leaves of the padmopano are
carved with vitality. In its iconographic scheme the Ardhanari, Brahma and Dakshinamoorthy in
the niches of the outer wall are featured. The other sculptures on the walls
almost life-size reflect either the donors to the temples or contemporary
princesses and princes. The epic scenes are in low relief on the plinth below
the pilasters of the walls of the sanctum, recalling the wood work.
The Devi shrine is an independent
structure situated in the outer prakaram(outer
precincts of a temple), detached from the axial unit, though it faces south, a
feature common to Saiva Devin shrines. The complex of Nataraja shrine
is in the form of a chariot on wheel drawn by horses as in the case of Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram
and Sarangapani Temple in Kumbakonam.
Gangai Vinayagar
During Rajendra Chola's Ganges expedition, the victorious chola
army brought a beautiful Vinayagar statue as a war trophy to
the chola empire. The Vinayagar statue was kept at this temple and was aptly
named as Gangai Vinayagar. Currently, the Vinayagar is present in theardha
mandapam, in front of the sanctum of Nageswarar. The Vinayagar seems to be
in the Pala style.
Gallery
