Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
Shiva (as Nageswarar) temple · Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
The Nageswaraswamy Temple, known in Tamil as Kudanthai Keezhkottam, is a Shiva temple in the heart of Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. The deity is worshipped as Nageswarar, 'lord of the serpents', and the goddess as Periya Nayaki (Brihannayaki). The Dinamalar temple directory places it east of the Adi Kumbeswarar temple.
Wikipedia describes it as one of the earliest Chola temples, built in the time of Aditya Chola I in the 9th century, and as a Paadal Petra Sthalam praised in the Tevaram hymns. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
The name Nageswarar comes from a legend recorded by Dinamalar, the TN Temples Project and Wikipedia: Adisesha, the cosmic serpent, grew weary of bearing the earth and worshipped Shiva here, receiving the strength to carry it. Another tradition, given by Dinamalar, links the spot to the Kumbakonam origin story, in which a bilva (vilvam) leaf fell here from Brahma's pot of nectar; the place was therefore called Vilvavanam and the bilva is the temple's sacred tree.
Because of the serpent association, devotees visit to seek relief from the afflictions attributed to Rahu. Wikipedia and the TN Temples Project record a belief that worshipping on a single day at four serpent-linked Shiva temples, Kumbakonam Nageswarar, Thirunageswaram, Thirupampuram and Nagore, brings relief, and Dinamalar notes Mondays and Thursdays as special days for such prayers.
The temple is one of the Shiva temples connected with Kumbakonam's Mahamaham festival, according to the TN Temples Project, and Dinamalar names the Theerthavari, when the deity is taken to the Mahamaham tank, as its main festival. A notable feature is that the sun's rays fall directly on the lingam on a few days each year; Dinamalar gives these as the 11th to 13th of Panguni (March), while Wikipedia places them in Chithirai (April–May).
Heritage
History of Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
Wikipedia and the TN Temples Project attribute the original temple to the reign of Aditya Chola I in the 9th century, with later Chola rulers adding structures and endowments. Citing the art historian J. C. Harle, Wikipedia counts it among four early surviving Chola temples, with the Koranganatha temple (Tiruchirappalli district), the Moovar Koil (Pudukottai district) and the Brahmapureeswarar temple (Thanjavur district).
Inscriptions in the temple, according to Wikipedia, record gifts from the Cholas, the Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas; the TN Temples Project describes inscriptions from Aditya Chola to the Vijayanagara period. Wikipedia notes that some inscriptions show the temple was a centre of learning, with endowments for teaching subjects such as Purva Mimamsa and for feeding teachers and students. It also records the tradition that a Ganesha image brought back from Rajendra Chola's Ganges expedition is kept here as Gangai Vinayagar.
By the early 20th century the temple had fallen into neglect. Dinamalar records that in 1923 Padagacheri Ramalingaswamy renovated it with money he collected as alms, and that consecrations (kumbhabhishekam) followed in 1959 and 1988.
Architecture and sacred features
Wikipedia describes the main sanctum as a fine example of early Chola art, standing on a lotus-moulded base, with niche images of Ardhanarishvara, Brahma and Dakshinamurti and near life-size figures on the outer walls that may depict donors or royal figures. Small reliefs of epic scenes run along the base. The goddess's shrine stands separately in the outer courtyard, facing south. The temple has three gopurams, on the east, west and south.
The Nataraja shrine is built as a stone chariot. Dinamalar and the TN Temples Project describe its wheels as having twelve spokes, said to represent the twelve zodiac signs, and the hall as drawn by horses and elephants; the sculptures show Shivakami keeping time and Vishnu playing the flute for Nataraja's dance. Wikipedia compares the design to the chariot-shaped halls at Darasuram and the Sarangapani temple.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The complex is large, and the TN Temples Project advises allowing ample time to see its sculptures. Crowds increase during the Panguni festival and on Rahu-related worship days. Confirm current darshan timings, festival dates and dress expectations with the temple office (HR&CE) before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu (per Wikipedia) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
Panguni Peruvizha
The temple's main annual festival, listed by Dinamalar; Dinamalar also places the days when sunlight falls on the lingam in Panguni.
Theerthavari at the Mahamaham tank
Dinamalar names the procession of the deity to the Mahamaham tank for the holy bath as the main festival; the temple takes part in Kumbakonam's Mahamaham observances.
Arudra Darshanam (Thiruvadhirai)
Festival of Nataraja, listed by Dinamalar for this temple.
Navaratri
Listed by Dinamalar among the temple's festivals.
Location
How to Reach Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
The temple is in central Kumbakonam, close to the town's other major temples. Dinamalar gives Kumbakonam as the nearest railway station and Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) as the nearest airport.
Location: Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Kumbakonam (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (as Nageswarar) temples · Temples in Kumbakonam Taluk · Temples in Thanjavur District
Questions
Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity at Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam?
Shiva, worshipped as Nageswarar, with the goddess Periya Nayaki (Brihannayaki).
Why is it called Nageswaraswamy?
According to legend, the serpent Adisesha worshipped Shiva here to gain the strength to bear the earth, so the Lord is called Nageswarar, lord of the serpents.
How old is the Nageswaraswamy Temple?
Wikipedia and the TN Temples Project attribute it to the time of Aditya Chola I in the 9th century, and Wikipedia counts it among four early surviving Chola temples.
Is this the same as the Thirunageswaram Rahu temple?
No. The Naganathaswamy temple at Thirunageswaram, about 6 km east of Kumbakonam, is a separate temple. Both are visited by devotees seeking relief from Rahu-related afflictions.
When do the sun's rays fall on the lingam?
On a few days each year. Dinamalar gives the 11th to 13th of Panguni (March), while Wikipedia places it in Chithirai (April–May); check locally.
What is the chariot hall at Nageswaraswamy Temple?
The Nataraja shrine is designed as a stone chariot with twelve-spoked wheels, said to represent the zodiac, drawn by sculpted horses and elephants.
Sources and attribution
- Dinamalar (temple directory) — Sri Nageswarar Temple, Kumbakonam
- TN Temples Project — Nageswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
- Dinamalar (temple directory) — Sri Nageswarar Temple, Tirunageswaram (checked to distinguish the two temples)
- Wikipedia — Nageswaraswamy Temple
Further reading: Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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