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The Lord of the temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 27th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.

The temple has a five tier Rajagopuram. Entering inside, we find the Nandavanam-flower garden at the left and the Singamukha theertha-sacred spring-at the right. Mother Brugannayaki and Nataraja Sabha are on the right side. The Nataraja Sabha is beautifully designed as a rath car. The 12 cross wires of the wheel are (joining the wheel and the axis) are said to represent the 12 zodiac signs. The mandap is aesthetically designed in the form of a rath drawn by two horses and 4 elephants. The other noteworthy feature is Mother Sivakami is playing the Tala to the dance of the Lord Nataraja and Lord Vishnu playing the flute feasting the eyes of the devotees.

The temple was surrounded by bushes. It was the year 1923. A Shiva devotee, Padagacherry Ramalingaswamy collected funds by tying a brass bowl around his neck begging all. He renovated the temple with the funds he thus collected little by little. He also conducted the consecration of the temple. The next consecration took place in 1959 and finally again in 1988. Lord Nageswara is seated on a big Avudayar. He is small in size.

Sun God prays to Lord with his rays on Panguni 11, 12 and 13 in March. People pray to Lord Nageswara on Mondays and Thursdays for relief from the adverse aspect of serpent planet Rahu delaying marriage and child boon. Mother Periyanayaki graces the devotees with Her blessing hand Abhaya Karam. The reputation of the temple is in its Pralayakala Rudra Shrine Sannidhi. There are also shrines for Mother Vishnu Durga and Sun.

Divine serpent Adisesha was bearing the whole weight of earth. As the weight grew due to the sins committed by the wicked, he could not excess weight and felt exhausted. He visited Mount Kailash and begged Lord Shiva to bless him with the adequate energy needed to do his job. Lord promised him the energy to hold the earth with a single head (Adiseaha has 1000 heads). Adiseaha, with the blessings of Lord Shiva came to this part of Kumbakonam where one leaf of Vilwa fell from the nectar pot. He installed a Linga here and worshipped the Lord. As Nagaraja the king of snakes worshipped the Lord here, He is praised as Nageswarar.

The place where the Vilwa fell from the nectar pot floating through floods, was called Vilwa Vanam. Lord is also praised as Vilwa Vanesar, Padala Beeja Nathar, Madanthai Bagar and Selva Piran.Rays of Sun fall on Lord on Panguni 11, 12 and 13 in March. Lord in the temple is a swayambumurthy.

Moolavar: Nageswaraswamy, Nageswarar, Naganathar

Amman / Thayar: Periya Nayaki, BruhanNaayagi

Thala Virutcham: Vilwa

Theertham: Maha Magam Tank

Pathigam: Thirunavukarasar

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name: Thirukudanthai

This sivasthalam temple is located in Kumbakonam town. This temple is a big one located in the center of Kumbakonam town. Sun God Sooriyan and Adhiseshan are said to have worshipped Lord Shiva st this sivasthalam. A special feature of this temple is that the suns rays falls on the Sivalingam (Nageswaraswamy) in the morning on 3 days in a year during the Tamil month of Chithirai 11th, 12th and 13th day of that month. It is widely believed that Sun god Sooriyan Himself performs pooja at that time to Lord Shiva. Devotees gather in large numbers during these 3 days to witness the event. Scupltures depicting the whole story of Ramayana is found on the inner walls of the prakaram surrounding the sanctum.

This Shivastalam is a grand temple in the temple town of Kumbhakonam and is known for its grand shrine to Nataraja Aadalvallaar and for its beautiful sculptural work, vimanams and mandapams. Kudandai Keezhkottam is considered to be the 27th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.

The major Shivastalams in Kumbhakonam are the Kumbheswarar Temple, Kudandaikkaronam, and the Nageswarar Temple (Kudandaikkeezhkottam). Other temples in Kumbhakonam include the Ramaswamy temple and the Vaishnava Divya Desam Sarangapani temple.

Offering worship at Kudandai Keezhkottam (Nageswarar temple) in the morning, at Tirunageswaram at noon and at Tiruppampuram in the evening on a given day is considered to be of special significance.

Surya is said to have worshipped here to regain his lost splendour. The temple tank is also known as Surya Theertham. Also known as Vilvavanam, it is believed that a vilva leaf from the pot carrying the celestial nectar (associated with the Kumbheswarar temple) had drifted away and landed here. Aadi Seshan is said to have worshipped here and Shiva is said to have blessed him with the might to bear the weight of the earth, here.

In architectural splendour and in the wealth of sculpture, this temple exceeds many of the other Chola temples. The Nritta Sabha, or the dance hall, dating back to the 12th century, has an elevated mandapam with a flight of steps. The 12 zodiac signs, 2 mammoth horses, 4 elephants all in stone adorn the Natarajar shrine.

So imposing is the shrine to Natarajar, that the hymns of Appar are addressed to Aadalvallar of Kudandai Keezhkottam in awe. The imposing Natarajar shrine here is shaped in the form of a chariot, and the shrine to the Sun God is also of great sculptural significance.

The Suns rays fallon Nageswarar in the sanctum on the 11th through the 13th day of the Tamil month Chittirai (Aries) (hence Bhaskarakshetram).

Shiva here is also known as Paataala Beejanathar. Other shrines in the temple include those to Pralayakaala Rudrar and Kaali.

The main and most important festival of the temple is the Theerthavari when Lord comes to Mahamagam tank.

Other festivals of the temple are Purattasi Navarathri in (August-September)

Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in (December-January)

Panguni Peru Vizha Great Festival in (March-April)

Lord of the temple is a swayambumurthy. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on 11, 12 and 13 of Panguni in March.

Devotees pray in this shrine between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. the Rahukala time on Sundays for relief from all ailments. They will not feel the fear of death at all. People pray to Lord Umai Oru Bagan (Lord Shiva having Mother Uma as part of His body) on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays for re-union with their spouses. And they will never part with each other in life time.

Devotee offer Abishek and Vastras for Lord and mother.

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Sri Nageswarar Temple, (Kudanthai Keelkottam), Kumbakonam-612 001. Contact Number +91 435243 0386.

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.