Naganatha Swamy Temple (Thirunageswaram Rahu Sthalam)

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 21:00

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Shiva Lingam (Primary), Granite human form of Rahu Bhagwan alongside his two consorts

Religious tradition

Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta & Vedic Astrology

Sanskrit name

श्री नागनाथ स्वामी मंदिर (तिरुनागेश्वरम राहु स्थलम)

Also known as

Thirunageswaram Navagraha Sthalam, Rahu Kovil, Champakaranya Kshetram

Darshan hours

Monday

06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Tuesday

06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Wednesday

06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Thursday

06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Friday

06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Saturday

06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Sunday

06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 09:30 PM

Break timings

Closed daily between 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM

Special days

Open extended continuous schedules during Rahu Kaalam timings on Sundays/Tuesdays and planetary transits

Festival timings

Open for extended night durations without mid-day closure intervals during major transits

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

06:30 AM

Midday aarti

12:30 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Night aarti

8:30PM

Special aarti days

Sundays and Tuesdays feature grand alankaram poojas during the specific daily Rahu Kaalam hours

Ritual schedule

Six systematic daily ritual sessions conducted following traditional Kamika Agama parameters

Pooja timings

Archana rituals and standard public darshan rows flow during all operational hours

Abhishek timings

Special Rahu Milk Abhishekam performed continuously daily during the Rahu Kaalam hour windows

Special poojas

Rahu Peyarchi special passes, Rahu Kaala Milk Abhishekam, and dynamic Kalasarpa Nivarana archanas

Online pooja booking

Via portal

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Originally constructed by Medieval Chola Kings (Aditya Chola I) and expanded by the Tanjore Nayaks

Architect / builder

Imperial Chola Monarchs and subsequent regional structural Sthapathis

Construction materials

monolithic stone framework, traditional grey granite blocks, and lime mortar plaster

Historical events

Praised heavily in Tevaram hymns by Saints Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar during early medieval centuries

Renovations

Structurally preserved by Chola rulers, Nayaks, local philanthropic trusts, and heavily modernized by the state

Archaeological importance

Exceedingly rich repository of ancient Chola stone inscriptions and historic bronze icon art assets

Legends

The serpent kings Shesha, Takshaka, and Karkotaka worshipped Shiva here to gain relief from curses

Inscriptions

Numerous wall records outlining imperial land endowments from Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

Imperial Chola and Tanjore Nayak Dynastic Eras

Structure

Massive sprawling multi-prakaram monumental walled compound layout complex

Floors

1

Gopuram

Features massive and striking four-directional Rajagopurams, with the main entry tower being five-tiered

Mandapa

Vast pillared assembly halls including the grand 100-pillared hall built during the Chola era

Sculptural features

Ornate granite wall reliefs showcasing icons of Shiva, Parvati, and detailed serpentine motifs

Artistic elements

Beautifully stylized representations of the celestial planetary rays and highly celebrated historic bronze figures

Construction technique

Interlocking dry-granite precision masonry architecture traditional to Thanjavur delta region

Unique features

During the Rahu milk abhishekam, the poured white milk miraculously turns blue upon touching the deity's body

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Adheres precisely to the ancient solar-lunar traditional Tamil almanac cycles

Special celebration days

Sundays and Tuesdays which draw massive pilgrim crowds during the Rahu Kaalam hours, and Pradoshams

Cultural events

Devotional classical carnatic music and traditional dance programs active during transit weeks

Annual events

The grand Car Festival (Rathotsavam) where majestic temple chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees

Peak crowd season

Peak visitor surges during winter vacation months, holiday long weekends, and transit periods

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter
• ✓ Annadanam

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

50+ vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Traditional sweet rice pongal, tamarind rice, and special laddu options distributed at the counters