Sri Nagaraja temple – Nagercoil

The Nagaraja Temple, also known as Nagaraja Kovil, stands as a prominent Hindu shrine located in Nagercoil, a city in the Kanyakumari District at the southernmost tip of Tamil Nadu, India. Dedicated to Nagaraja, the serpent deity, the temple is widely revered for its distinctive architecture, deep religious significance, and the grand annual Nagaraja Festival.

Image Attribution: @rajamanickam_ms from instagram

Connection of Nagercoil and Nagaraja Temple

Interestingly, the very name “Nagercoil” shares a close connection with this temple and its presiding deity.

• “Nagaraja” refers to the serpent god worshipped at the temple.
• “Koil” in Tamil translates to temple.

Therefore, the name “Nagercoil” loosely means “Temple of Nagaraja.” As a result, the city derives its identity from the historic presence of the Nagaraja Temple and the long-standing tradition of serpent worship. Consequently, the cultural and religious heritage of the temple and the city remain deeply intertwined.

Deity of Nagaraja Temple

The primary deity of the Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil is Nagaraja, the serpent god. Nagaraja represents a form of Lord Vishnu and is typically depicted beneath a canopy of five serpent hoods. Hence, serpent worship forms the core spiritual practice of the temple, and devotees seek Nagaraja’s blessings for protection from snake-related afflictions.

In addition, the second shrine houses Ananthakrishnan along with Bhama and Rukmani, while Lord Shiva presides in the third shrine. Other deities worshipped within the temple complex include Goddess Durga, Lord Muruga, Nagamani Boothathan, and Dharmasastha.

Nagaraja Temple Architecture

Architecturally, the temple complex spreads across an area of 72 cents. Notably, the southern entrance of the temple, known as Mahameru, serves as the primary gateway for devotees. Built in traditional Kerala architectural style, the Mahameru gate reflects regional craftsmanship.

Furthermore, the Maha Mandapam stands as a spacious hall supported by 29 pillars. The Nagaraja shrine lies on the northern side, the Ananthakrishnan shrine on the southern side, and a small Shiva sanctum occupies the central space, all facing east. Surrounding these shrines is a raised outer prakara known as the Utprakaram. From here, devotees can conveniently view the sanctum sanctorum of Nagaraja.

History of Nagaraja Temple

Historically, the temple site was once covered with tall grass and dense bushes. One day, a woman tending her cattle made a startling discovery when she noticed blood on her knife. To her shock, a five-headed cobra appeared at the spot. Terrified, she fled to the nearby village and narrated the incident.

Soon, a large crowd gathered, and miraculously, the serpent transformed into a stone idol, revered as Nagarajar, the King of Cobras. Villagers respectfully covered the idol with coconut leaves, and the news spread rapidly. Consequently, devotees suffering from Naga Dosha began arriving from South Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Later, King Udhaya Marthanda Varma, guided by a divine dream of Nagarajar, constructed a grand temple at the site. Significantly, he left the inner sanctum without a concrete roof, preserving its natural sanctity.

Festivals of Nagaraja Temple

Nagaraja Festival: The annual Nagaraja Festival ranks as the most important celebration at the temple. It usually takes place during the Tamil month of Aavani (August–September). During this time, a grand procession carries the idol of Nagaraja, beautifully adorned with flowers and jewels. As a result, devotees from various regions gather to witness this sacred event.

Thai Bhramotsavam: This festival extends over ten days and concludes with the sacred arattu ceremony on the Ayilyam nakshatra day during the Tamil month of Makaram.

Additionally, the temple also celebrates major festivals such as Navaratri and Soorasamharam.

Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Pooja

The Nagaraja Temple is especially renowned for performing the Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Pooja. This powerful ritual aims to pacify serpent deities and relieve devotees from snake-related doshas. Consequently, many pilgrims visit the temple specifically to participate in this sacred pooja.

Visiting Hours of Nagaraja Temple

Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil follows the visiting hours listed below:

• Morning: 5:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
• Evening: 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Speciality of Nagaraja Temple

One of the most unique features of the Nagaraja Temple is its sanctum sanctorum, where the floor remains covered with wet sand that once formed a paddy field. This sacred sand is distributed to devotees as Prasad and is believed to cure various skin ailments.

Remarkably, the sand changes colour with the Sun’s movement. During Dakshinayana Punya Kala, from July to December, the sand appears black, while during Uthrayana Punyakala, from January to June, it turns white. This rare phenomenon further enhances the spiritual mystique of the temple.

How to reach Nagercoil Nagaraja temple:

By Air: The nearest major airport is Trivandrum International Airport (Thiruvananthapuram International Airport), which is approximately 70 kilometers away from Nagercoil. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Nagercoil.

By Train: Nagercoil Junction is a well-connected railway station. You can check the train schedule and book tickets to Nagercoil from various parts of India. The temple is within the city, so you can hire a local taxi or use public transportation from the railway station to reach the temple.

By Road: Nagercoil is well-connected by road. You can reach Nagercoil by bus or taxi from nearby cities and towns. National Highway 44 (NH 44) connects Nagercoil to various parts of South India.

Once you arrive in Nagercoil, you can ask for directions to the Nagaraja Temple, as it is a well-known local landmark. Local transportation, such as auto-rickshaws or taxis, can take you to the temple from the railway station or the bus stand.