Keezhaperumpallam Nagannathaswamy Temple: Keezhaperumpallam Nagannathaswamy Temple, also known as the Kethu Sthalam or the place of mercury, stands as a respected shrine with Lord Shiva as its primary creator, accompanied by his consort Parvati in the form of Soundaryanayaki. Dedicated to Kethu, the shadow planet displayed with a human body and a serpent’s head, this temple, also known as Vanagiri, holds a prominent place among the Kethu temples in India.
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Situated in the Cauvery delta belt, the quaint village of Keezhaperumpallam, just 2 km from Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu, proudly houses the Nagannathaswamy temple—a renowned Hindu temple in South India, positioned approximately 98 km from Thanjavur on the Thanjavur – Poompuhar road.
Religious Importance
Kethu, symbolizing the south lunar node, symbolizes the intersection point of the Sun and Moon in the cosmic sphere. The temple’s religious importance lies in its connection with the Navagrahas, cosmic bodies believed to affect a person’s life based on their positions in the horoscope. Lord Shiva, the main deity, has given the Navagrahas the authority to complete the wishes of devotees. Worshippers flock to this Kethu temple to calm Kethu, seeking relief from the negative effects of Kethu Dosha and Naga Dosha, which are considered to cause obstructions in marriage, childbirth, and health issues related to the digestive, neurological, and reproductive systems.
Temple Timings
Devotees can visit the temple during two-time slots: 6:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The temple hosts six daily poojas, each including Abhisheka, Alangaram, Neivethanam, and Deepa Aradani, symbolizing sacred baths, decoration, offering of food, and lighting of lamps.
History
According to Puranas, the temple’s origin dates back to the time of Amrith Manthan, when Lord Shiva’s intervention saved the world from the unexpected venom spill by Lord Vasuki, the Serpent God. The temple, originally built by the Cholas, underwent several restorations, with the present structure dating back to the 16th century Nayaks era.
Architecture
Adorning Dravidian-style architecture, the temple boasts a two-tiered gopuram, surrounded by two expansive courtyards. The shrine of Kethu, with a striking black granite idol, delights visitors with its serpent-headed, human-bodied form. Inside, different shrines devoted to deities like Lord Vinayaka, Subrmanya, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, and Ambal, feature detailed carvings, adding to the temple’s aesthetic attraction.
How to Reach
The village is well-connected by road, available from cities like Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kumbakonam, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Ooty, and Mysore. The Mayiladuthurai railway station, approximately 24 km away, delivers a convenient rail option, while Thanjavur Airport is the closest air travel hub.
Festivals Celebrated
The temple follows weekly rituals, fortnightly Pradosham, and monthly celebrations like Amavasi, Kirithigai, Poornima, and Saturthi. Grand festivities mark Mahashivratri, Margazi Thiruvadirai, Panguni Uthiram, and Vasuki Utsavam, with a special celebration during Rahu and Kethu star transition every 18 months, known as Kethu Peyarchi.