A temple
praised by Appar, Sundarar and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar as one by the Sea Shore
12 temples have survived the test
of time here in Nagapattinam, the most prominent among them being the Kaaya
Rohana Swamy temple. It is probably the only temple where the four major
streets around the temple are named after the Ambal, Neela Devi.
Pundareeka Rishi was keen to have
‘Shiva Logam’ darshan and in his quest towards achieving this undertook penance
at Kasi and Kanchipuram. He then undertook penance at Kumbakonam. From there,
he was directed to Nagapattinam.
Saptha ‘Vidangal’
Kshetram
This is one of the Saptha
Vidangal Kshetrams. Musukuntha Chozha (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2015/12/thiruvarur-thyagaraja-temple.html)
was handed 7 Lingams by Indra. He installed one of those here in Thiru Nagai.
As the one here was the most beautiful, it came to be referred to as ‘Sundara
Vidanga’.
The Saptha Vidangal temples include
Vedaranyam, Thiru Kuvalai, Thiru Nallar, Thiru Voimur, Thiru Kaaravasal and the
most prominent among them, Tiruvarur.
True
Devotion to the Lord
One of the 63 Nayanmars, Athi
Bhakta Nayanar attained mukthi here. To this day, when a descendent of his clan
attains mukthi, he is brought to the entrance of temple and the Lord’s garland
is placed on the body as a mark of respect.
Over a period of time, much to
his surprise, he received just one fish a day and as was his devotion presented
that single catch back to the sea. He and his family lived in hunger given the
lack of catchings.
Delighted at his devotion, the
Lord provided darshan, seated on the Rishabha Vahana. This episode is enacted
every year on Aani Ahilyam.
Praised by three Saint Poets
The Saint Poets have praised the temple as one being by the Sea Shore and the Lord as 'Kaa-Rohanar'.
Sundarar was presented with gold
and pearls here at this place in recognition of his great contribution.
7 town
Procession
A devotee in Ujjain (Madhya
Pradesh) was destined to live just for 16 years due to a disease from birth.
Invoking the blessings of the Lord Kaaya Rohanar through sincere prayers, he
was blessed to remain 16 forever. When Yama came on the appointed day to pick
him up, he understood the blessings of the Lord and dropped him back at Thiru
Nagai.
Dasaratha’s
connection to this temple
When Saturn struck Ayodhya, King
Dasaratha was directed by his Kula Deivam, the Sun God, to install a Bala ‘Sani’
Idol at Thiru Nagai to liberate himself from the Sani Dosham. In memory of this
episode, all the Navagraha idols at this temple are seen facing the Lord.
Panchaakshi
Peedam
This is also one of the 5 Aakshi
Peedam place of Ambal, the others being Kasi, Kanchi, Madurai and Thiruvarur. There
is a separate flag post for the Ambal at this temple. When the Lord sent Nandhi
to offer protection to Ambal, a saddened vehicle turned one eye in the direction
of the Lord to show his devotion to the Lord. Hence, one of Nandi is seen
turned towards the Lord.
There are several inscriptions
dating back to the Chozha period.
Festivals
23 day Brahmotsvam in Vaikasi
10 day festival in Aadi
How to reach
Auto from the Nagapattinam railway station will cost Rs. 50. One can also walk to the temple through the Big Bazaar street ( 15 minutes from the station).
When here also visit Thiru Nagai Soundararaja Perumal Divya Desam
http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/08/108-divya-desam-thiru-nagai.html
and Thiru Kannangudi Divya Desam
http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2008/06/thiru-kannangudi.html
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