Nagaraja Swamy Temple
This temple is situated at a distance of 12 miles from Cape Comorin, in the midst of paddy fields. The following is the traditional story of its origin.
In the fields where the temple now stands, one day, a worker, while harvesting the crops, came across a granite stone and, as soon as the sickle came in contact with it, blood came out of the stone. This being an unusual happening, the news spread like wild fire and it became the talk of the town as this incident could not be attributed to any known phenomenon.
At this time Pambummekkattu Nambudiri from Cochin was passing through this place on his way to Suchindram. On hearing about the incident, he visited the spot and recognised the stone as Vasuki (Ananta) the Serpent King. He immediately conducted archanas and other offerings and informed Kalakkat Rajah, who was then ruling over the area, about this. In the meanwhile, a thatched shed was erected over the idol.
The Rajah then arranged to construct the present temple and wanted to shift the idol to it. But the Serpent King appeared in a dream both to the Rajah and to the Nambudiri and conveyed his desire to remain where he was.
Accordingly he was left where he was originally found by the worker, and Anantakrishna was installed in the new temple. Gradually it was realised that as the serpent in the form of Kaliya was inimical to Krishna, it was not desirable to allow the Serpent King and Lord Krishna to be installed close to each other. So Siva was installed in the middle to avoid any possible conflict. Thus the three Gods came to be where they are now.
Another version is that the temple belonged to the Jains, even though no previous history is known in this connection. This belief is supported by the fact that the carvings of Mahavira and Parswanatha are seen on the pillars of the temple. The beautiful main gateway reminds one of Chinese architecture. It is believed that this temple came under the Hindus only from the sixteenth century.
People throng here every Sunday and on Anuradha days with offerings of milk. It is said that many serpents live all round the
temple. But there has been no fatal case of snakebite within a radius of one mile from the place. The earthen prasadam taken from the place where Lord Nagaraja is installed (on bare earth where it was originally found) has never diminished in quantity even after its use for many many years. It is also remarkable that this prasadam will be white in colour for six months in the year and turn light black for the remaining six months.
Legend of Temple:-
Nagas are children of Kashyapa and Kadru. Among the prominent nāgas of Hinduism are Manasa, Sesha, and Vasuki.
The Nairs of Kerala and the ethnically related Tulu Bunts of Karnataka are clans which are believed to have originated from the serpent dynasty.
Legends says that the nāgas also carry the elixir of life and immortality. Garuda once brought it to them and put a cup with elixir on the ground but it was taken away by Indra. However, a few drops remained on the grass. The nāgas licked up the drops, but in doing so, cut their tongues on the grass, and since then their tongues have been forked.
Nagas are snakes that may take human form. They tend to be very curious. According to traditions, Nāgas are only malevolent to humans when they have been mistreated. They are susceptible to mankind's disrespectful actions in relation to the environment. They are also associated with waters — rivers, lakes, seas, and wells — and are generally regarded as guardians of treasure.
They are objects of great reverence in some parts of southern India where it is believed that they bring fertility and prosperity to their veneration. Expensive and grand rituals like Nagamandala are conducted in their honor (see Nagaradhane).
Nagercoil Nagaraja is believed by devotees as a deity who redeem the misery of childless
couples.By worshiping the deity here several childless couples are blessed to have children.
He is also a deity who grants prosperity and good health to the devotees.
There are several snake idols and a Ganapathy idol placed on the basement of a Peepul tree in the temple compound
and it is auspicious to circumambulate those idols( that peepul tree) to get remove our 'Sarpadosham' sins due to the harm
done to the snakes previously,Curses of snakes etc.
Offering small images of serpents made of silver to be placed in the temple,offering 'Noorum palum'(a pooja ritual)
etc can be done to get relieve our sins and to get the bliss.Those who are suffering from the bad effects of 'Rahu' and 'Kethu' according to astrology will be relieved by doing worship in this temple.
There were some arguments that this temple belonged to Jains previously but was taken
over by Hindus.
'Mahendragiri' near Kanyakumari is referred as the abode of Nagas in the Valmiki Ramayana.There is no epigraph to find the chronology of the temple.Images of Jain Theerthankaras 'Parsavanth and Mahavira' are carved on the pillars of 'Arthamandapa' in this temple.The main gateway of this temple known as 'Mahamerumaligai' resembles
Budhist monastery.Deities of Lord Shiva and Anathakrishna are enshrined here.It has
to be assumed that this temple is simply an embodiment of the four creeds Saivam,Vaishnavam,Jainism and Budhism and it is a very ancient 'Nagaraja Temple'.
Dieties in the Temple:-
The Nagaraja temple situated at Nagarcoil is dedicated to the Lord Nagaraja. Nagercoil got its name from the five headed serpent shrine of the Nagaraja.
Besides the presiding deity, the idols of Lord Shiva and Anantha Krishna are also enshrined in the ardhamandapa of the temple. The figures of Jain Thirthankaras Parsavanth and Mahavira are carved on the pillars of the mandapa.
Ashta Naga:-
The eight revered nagas are referred as ashta nagas they are Shesha, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka,Shankhapala,Gulika, Padma and Mahapadma. It is said about the colurs of nagas that Vasuki is pearl white, Takshaka is red, Karkodaka is black with 3 white stripes in his hood, Padma is pink as lotus with white streak and coral ornaments, Mahapadma is white with trident mark in head, Shankhapala is yellow with white streak in hood, Gulika is red with crescent mark in hood
Vasuki or Naga raja, The King of the Nagas.
Ananda or Aadi Sesha, The serpent on whom Vishnu does yoga nidra(Ananda shayana).
Karkotaka, controls weather.
Padmavati, the Nāgī queen and companion of Dharanendra.
Paravataksha, his sword causes earthquakes and whose roar causes thunder.
Takshaka, tribal king of the Nāgas, whose kingdom was called as Takshashila.
Ulupi, a companion of Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata.
Manasa, the Hindu goddess of Nagas; the curer of snake-bites and the sister of Vasuki
Kaliya, a snake punished by Krishna in Yamuna river.
Matali, charioteer of Indra; Matali was also the charioteer of Rama during the Lanka Battle.
Prominence of the Shrine :-
This temple is a Parihara Sthalam for people who has a Naga Dosha. Every month Karthigai star days are celebrated with special poojas. Outside of this temple complex there is a temple tree and Statues of snakes (Naga - Cobra) are kept. Turmeric and Milk Abhishekam for these snakes by devotees will bring them good. Main Deity at this temple is Nagarajar. Opposite of Nagarajar there is a stone pillar and sculpture of “Naga Kanni” (female form of Cobra) is carved in it. In the Karpagraha where the main deity Nagarajar is residing is surrounded by sand pit. As this was place originally paddy fields always water was coming out of the ground. So poojari gives sand mixed with the water as a “Prasad” at this temple as oppose to sandal paste or kumkum in other temples. Durga statue at this temple was found at the Naga Theertham. So the Devi is called as “Theertha Durga”. As per beliefs, if devotees take bath in Naga Theertham on Tuesday during the “Raghu kalam” and worship the god with milk abhishekam, ghee lamp and lemon lamp their Naga Dosha will go away.
Temple Timings :-
Morning 5:00 A.M. to 11:30 Noon.
Evening 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
| POOJA NAME | POOJA TIME |
|---|---|
| Opening time | 5.00 am |
| Uchikala Abhishegam | 10.00 am |
| Uchikala Pooja | 11.00 am |
| Sayaratchai Pooja | 6.30 pm |
| Arthajama Pooja | 7.45 pm |
Every year in the Malayalam month of 'Thulam'(Sep-Oct) 12 days special pooja will be done including 'Ayilyam Star day' by the Thantri of Pambimekkattu Illam.
Ayilyam star day on every month is auspicious here and all Sundays are also auspicious.Annual festival is in the month of 'Makaram' for 10 days and 'Arattu' will be on
'Ayilyam star day of Makaram'(Jan-Feb).Ratholsavam(pulling temple car) is an attraction during the festival.
