Nagesvarar Temple, Nagaleccharam

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Nagesvarar Temple, also called Nagesvaram, is a Shiva temple at Nageccharam in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the Vaippu Sthalams praised by the saint Appar. The main deity is Shiva in a lingam named Nagesvarar or Naganathar, and the goddess is Ponnagavalli Ammal. Rahu and Ketu have their own shrines here, and the temple is known as Athi Rahusthalam and Athi Kethusthalam for their long-standing worship. A legend from the churning of the milk ocean tells how Rahu and Ketu became part of the Navagraha after receiving Shiva’s blessings. The temple also houses shrines to Bhairava, Surya, Vinayaka, Sanisvara, and Neeladevi. The sanctums include the main deity and the goddess shrine on the right side, with separate spaces for Rahu and Ketu and a nearby Naga deity. The temple has a three-tier gopuram facing east. It is located near Sirkazhi on the Sirkazhi–Chidambaram road. Timings are 7:00 am–12:00 noon and 4:00 pm–8:00 pm. There is another well-known Nagesvaram at Thirunageswaram near Kumbakonam.