Tirunageswaram Naganathar temple also known as Rahu Stalam or Rahu Bhagawan temple is a hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva in Tirungeswaram village. It is the prominent Shaivite temple as one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the Navagraha Stalas and specifically Rahu.
Lord Shiva in this temple is worshiped as Naganathar, and is represented in the form of lingam. His consort Parvati is displayed as Piraisoodi Amman. It houses four gopurams with numerous sub shrines out of which Naganathar, Rahu and Piraisoodi Amman being the most prominent.
Thirunageswaram is one of the temple towns of Tamil Nadu which is named after the groups of trees or bushes of the same kind, often found together in one place, are seen as special when the same kind of plant grows near or above the main deity in a temple.
Adisesha, Takshaka, karkotaka and other serpents(snakes) worshiped Siva at this place. This is why the place is named as Tirunageswaram. At Senbaranya kshetram Adisesha did penance on account of the presence of large number of Senbaga(golden champa or Sampangi) trees.
Thirunageswaram bus stop is the nearest bus stop which is just 290 m from the temple and can be reached easily by walk from the bus stop.
