Tirunageswaram Temple is known for its shrine to Raahu, one of the nine celestial bodies. It is the 29th in the series of Tevara Stalams located south of the river Kaveri. 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 of special significance.
Legend: The mythological serpents Aadi Seshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Nala worshipped Shiva here too. Gowtama muni, Paraasarar and Bhageerata are also associated with this temple.
Temple: This temple occupies 15 acres and has large prakarams, towering gopurams, and several mandapams. The fort like walls surround the outermost prakaram has four entry towers. There are 12 Theerthams here. There is an image of Sekkizhaar and a mandapam built by him here. This temple was built by Gandaraditya Chola son of Parantaka Chola I. The inner mandapams and the outer mandapams were built by Sekkizhaar and Govinda Deekshitar, minister of Achyutappa Nayakar.
The raahu shrine is in one of the prakarams. The Piraiani Nudalaal Ambaal shrine is in the inner mandapam near the Naganathar shrine, while the Girikuchambika shrine is housed in a separate sanctum.
Festivals: The annual Brahmotsavam is observed in the month of Kartikai while the Sekkizhaar festival is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi.
