Thirunageswaram Temple / Rahu Temple

Travel for a distance of 5 km from Kumbakonam Railway Station, to reach Thirunageswaram, where the ancient Hindu temple – Sri Naganathaswamy Temple or Rahu Sthalam is situated. The temple worships Arulmigu Giri Gujambika Sametha Naganathaswamy. The construction of the temple has been thought to be done by Aditya Chola I in the 9th century AD. The inner mandapa is thought to be constructed by Seikkizhar, and the outer mandapa by Govinda Dikshitar (17th century AD) a minister to Acchuthappa Nayak.

Sri Naganathaswamy Temple holds the prestige of being one among the 9 Navagraha Temples around Kumbakonam and is dedicated to God Rahu. The temple holds the idol of Lord Rahu along with his consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni together in a separate shrine. The temple depicts God Rahu with a human face, which is unique as he is generally depicted with a serpent face. The Thirunageswaram Temple flaunts vast prakarams, towering gopurams, and several huge mandapas. Also, there are four entry towers encased with walls. One can see The Vinayaka temple, Balipeetam, and Nandeeswarar Mandapam on the eastern gateway. While Lord Rahu’s idol can be seen in the south-west corner.The southern side of the temple houses artistic marvels. There is a water head with four mandapas, encircled by a 100 pillar mandapam in a temple-car style. The pillars are all artistically carved. The important phenomenon that the temple shows is the changing of the color of the milk from white to blue during abhishekam of the deity.

Festivals- the temple commences annual Brahmotsavam in the month of Kartika, Sekkizhaar festival in the month of Vaikasi.