THIRUNAGESWARAM ( 3 Km from Kumbakonam):
This vast temple known is for its shrine to Rahu, one of the nine celestial
bodies in the Navagraha. A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva
here.
Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Thirunallar.
The Shiva temple here is dedicated to Sri Naganathaswamy. His consort is Giri Gujambika, who is enshrined with
Lakshmi and Saraswathi by Her side. It is said that Rahu worshipped the Lord here on Sivarathri day to redeem Himself
from the curse of a sage.
Sundays are considered quite auspicious and devotees perform with abhishekam
for Rahu, who is enshrined with this consorts. A noteworthy feature is that the milk turns blue. A dip in Soola
Theertham is said to cure one of diseases and give prosperity.
