"NAVAGRAHA STHALA ( RAGU TEMPLE ) AT THIRUNAGESWARAM – A STUDY"

The holy shrine for Lord Nageswarar, Naganathar and Shanbakaranyeswarar at Thirunageswareim has been noted for the worship of the Navagraha Ragu. Ragu has been called as the “ascending node of the.moon”. In this temple also there is a separate shrine for Ragu. The Sthala Viruksha of the temple is the “Shanbaga tree” and the holy tank is called the “Sooriya Thirtham”. The temple has the Devara Pathigangal sung by Saint Thirunavukkarasar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Seikhkizhar. The temple is closely associated with Saint Seikhkizar who performed the renovatory works in the temple. The unique feature of the temple is that, when milk abhisha has been performed to Ragu alias Nagaraja, the white colour of the milk turns into “blue”. So far as Ragu is concerned, there is no specific day is attributed, hence, the devotees offer worship to Ragu at any day as per their wish. Ragu Sthala at Thirunageswaram has become a Sthala for performing poojas, archanas find abhishekas for those who have been afflicted with i “Ragu thosa”. The holy shrine is the 29* Saivite temples located on the southern bank of the river Cauvery. The original name of the temple is Sri Naganatha Swamy temple and the Presiding deify is Sri Naganatha Swamy. His consort is known as Sowndiranayaki. The Sthala Viruksha of the temple is the bamboo tree and the holy tank is called Nagathirtham. The temple has the reputation of being visited, worshipped and sung holy Devara hymnals by Saint Thirunavukkarasar, Thirugrianasambandar and Sundarar. As a result of the study, there ought to arise a striking contrast between tow “poles” naraely “faith” and “the