History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Kayarahanaswamy Temple or Kayaroganeswarar temple, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India
Kayarahanaswamy Temple or Kayaroganeswarar temple or Neelaya takshi is dedicated to Lord Shiva in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. Here Lord Shiva deity is known as Kayarohana and his consort as Nilayadakshi. This is one of the place where the Lingam is made up of Ruby. Hence, the Lord is also called Sundara Vidangar. The shrine of the Lord Thyagaraja is also present here. The eyes of mother Ambica is blue in color as sea showing her deepness and mercy to us. She has her own shrine with a flag post – Kodi Moram. This temple is from 6th Century AD and was praised by many Legends. During the death in the nearby area the temples are generally being closed but here the Vastra of the Lord is placed on corpse. There is also a shrine of Mother Ashta Bhuja (eight hands) Kali in temple. It is said that this temple was constructed by Lord Lakulisha – 28th and last incarnation of Lord Shiva who born in Gujarat. The temple was praised by the Nayanmars Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in their hymns.
As per Hindu epics, Sage Pundarika was performing penance to Lord Shiva seeking for salvation. Granting his Darshan, Lord Shiva granted salvation with his body. The Lord embraced with the body with that Sage. Hence, Lord is named as Kaya (body) Aarogana (embracing) Easwarar Lord Kayaroganeswarar. The rishi also requested for moksha for his descendants, and the body is brought to the temple gate even today, when someone from the sage ‘s family dies, then the lord’s clothes and guirnal clothes are brought to adorn the body for blessing.
As per the another legend attached with this sacred shrine is, King of Serpents worshiped Lord Shiva and blessed with girl. But she was born with three breast thus King was highly upset. Then Lord Shiva give assurance that one breast will be disappear once king of Surya dynasty visit here. And same happen when King Shalisuhan came here, after seeing this King of serpent had arranged marriage of his daughter with king Shalisuhan. After this, this region was popular as Nagai Karonam or Naggapattinam as Naga King was worshipped here.
As per the other legend, King Muchukunda got seven Linga from God Indra for the help during the Devasur Sangra war between Devas and Asuras. King had installed this lingas in seven different place which are now famous as Sapta Vidanga Sthala. One of the place where Linga was made of Ruby thus looks very beautiful and charming, thus lord name here as Sundara Vidangar.
Devotees and visitors comes here to be free from their sins and seek salvation. Devotees also perform Abhishek to Lord Shiva and the mother and also offer Vastras. Aadi Poonam is very grandly celebrated here as the mother Ambica is graces as a virgin. Her shrine is designed as a Rath. On the festival day, mother comes in procession in a Rath made purely in crockery ware.
How to reach Sri Kayaroganeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India
As Nagapattinam is district headquarter and pilgrimage centre of South India and home to Kayarohanaswami Temple and other sacred temple, it is very well connected with all major cities of Tamil Nadu and India via Road, Air and Rail network. Nagapattinam is situated at a distance of 315 km from Chennai, 88 from Thanjavur, 140 km from Trichy, 150 km from Pondicherry, 275 km from Madurai, 400 km from Tirutapi, 21 km from Karaikal, 60 km from Mayiladuthurai, 70 km from Kumbakonam and just 26 km from Thiruvarur. Nagapattinam has railway station which is connected with all major cities of South India. Nearest airport from Nagapattinam are in Pondicherry and Tiruchirappalli.
