Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Nageswaraswamy, or Nageswaran Temple, is an ancient temple known for its astonishing architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in Kumbakonam city. Over the years, the Chola dynasty rulers and Thanjavur Nayaks collectively contributed to the temple’s construction. It was built in the 9th century CE and has shrines of various deities, such as Lord Surya, Lord Ganesh, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shiva. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple only receives light between April and May months, whereas in other months, there is complete darkness inside.
Quick Details About Nageswaran Temple
Built In: 9th century CE
Address: Nageswaran N Street, Gandhi Adigal Salai, Valayapettai Agraharam, Kumbakonam
Timings: Opens from 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 9 PM
Best Time To Visit: April to May
Time Duration: Around 1 to 2 hours
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport
Location
Photo: Ssriram mt / Wikimedia Commons
The Nageswaran Temple is located in a neighbourhood known as the Gandhi Adigal Salai, which is part of Kumbakonam city. It is among the most auspicious temples in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu state. The area PIN code of the Nageswaran Temple is 612001.
How To Reach
Photo: Deepu051993 / Wikimedia Commons
Nageswaran Temple is historically important and is a significant religious site. Here is how you can reach this famous temple with ease:
By Road: Thanjavur district is well-connected by roads across the country. Once you are in Kumbakonam, you can take either an auto or a cab to reach the temple.
By Air: The nearest airport to the Nageswaran Temple is Tiruchirappalli International Airport, which is located at a distance of 95 kilometres from the temple.
By Train: The Kumbakonam Railway Station is the closest railway station to the Nageswaran Temple, situated at a distance of 1.4 kilometres.
Places To Visit Around Nageswaran Temple
After visiting the Nageswaran Temple and offering prayers to the deities, you can visit the following five famous temples in Kumbakonam:
1. Sarangapani Temple
Photo: Ssriram mt / Wikimedia Commons
Sarangapani Temple is the largest and tallest temple in Kumbakonam city and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The temple is known to be among 108 temples revered in the Vaishnavism tradition. It has an idol of Lord Vishnu lying on a five-headed snake, Nagraja, known to be the king of serpents. Alongside the shrine of Lord Vishnu, there is a shrine of Goddess Lakshmi. The temple’s name, Srangapani, is derived from Sharanga, which is a Sanskrit word meaning the bow of Lord Vishnu, and pani means the hand. .
Timings: 7 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 9 PM
Distance From The Temple: 600 metres
2. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is known as the most prominent temple in Kumbakonam. It is located near Kumbakonam railway station and is popularly known as Thirukudamooku. The Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and many other deities. The temple was built in the 9th century CE by the Chola dynasty rulers. It was renovated by the Chieftain of Achutha Nayakar of Thanjavur, Govinda Dikshitar, in the 16th century CE. The temple reflects Dravidian-style architecture and is an architectural marvel that covers an area of about 16,000 square meters.
Timings: 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 PM to 9:30 PM
Distance From The Temple: 900 metres
3. Sri Airavatesvara Temple
Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Sri Airavatesvara Temple is a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site dedicated to Lord Airavateswara (a form of Lord Shiva). The temple is known for its exquisite stone carvings and stunning architecture. It was built in the 12th century CE by Rajaraja II, who was a ruler from the Chola dynasty. The frontal columns of the Sri Airavatesvara Temple have unique miniature sculptures. There is a legend that the temple is named after an elephant (Airavat) of Indra (king of deities). Due to a curse, Airavat lost his colour, but later regained it by praying to Lord Shiva and bathing in the temple’s tank.
Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
Distance From The Temple: 3.4 kilometres
4. Kasi Viswanathar Temple
Photo: pandiaeee / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has an astonishing entrance tower known as gopuram. Along with the Lord Shiva, his consort Goddess Parvati, depicted as Visalakshi, is worshipped here. It is said that visiting the Kasi Viswanathar Temple of Kumbakonam is equivalent to visiting the Kashi Viswanath Temple of Varanasi. There is a legend dating back to the Ramayana period that Lord Rama and Lakshmana worshipped God Shiva here while on their search for Goddess Sita. They acquired Rudramsam, which enabled them to fight with Ravana.
Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM and 4:30 PM to 8 PM
Distance From The Temple: 700 metres
5. Ramaswamy Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Ramaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and his consort, Goddess Sita, along with Lord Lakshmana. The temple has intricate artwork and consists of beautiful carvings. The temple was built between the 14th and 15th centuries by Thanjavur kings such as Achuthappa Nayak and Raghunatha Nayak. It is located near the bank of the Kaveri River and has the whole Ramayana depicted on a wall in pictorial format. It is believed that Lord Rama was an incarnation of God Vishnu, and the depiction is divided into three segments.
Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
Distance From The Temple: 750 kilometres
Where To Stay
Photo: Anonymous / Pxhere / Image For Representation Only
Various guesthouses and hotels are available within a few kilometres of Nageswaran Temple. Depending on the place you choose, you will be provided with various facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, parking space, meals, etc. Some of the top-rated hotels near the temple are Hotel Eswara, Hotel Metro, and Hotel Marudhan Grand.
Where To Eat
Photo: Bajrang01 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Near the Nageswaran Temple, there are many dining options available, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Depending on the cuisine you want to try, there are numerous eateries present in Kumbakonam city near the temple premises. Some of them are Moshika Bhavan, Mangalambiga Coffee, Rice n Spice, and Sri Balaji Bhavan.
Tips For Travellers
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
- Visit as early as possible in the day to avoid the crowd.
- Wear shoes that will be comfortable to put on and off.
- Bring a water bottle, preferably one that is not made from plastic.
- Carry some change or cash with you and
- Dress modestly within the temple premises, as it holds religious significance.
Nageswaran Temple in Tamil Nadu is a stunning example of the architecture of the Chola dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Nageswarar, the “Lord of Serpents.” This ancient temple is designed to allow sunlight in the sanctum for a few days out of a year. Plan your trip with TripXL to this magnificent temple and admire its intricately carved pillars and unique celestial alignment, which draws visitors all year round.
Cover Photo: Ssriram mt / Wikimedia Commons
