Nageswara Temple is another small one where Lord Shiva is worshipped and we saw a Temple for Rahu also (one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha. [Actually, we saw Temples for all the major planets. Sun (Surya), Moon (Soma or Chandra), Venus (Sukra, is a male in Vedic astrology), Jupiter (Guru), Mercury (Budha), Saturn (Sani). Mars (Kuja) plus the nodes (Rahu and Ketu)]
The attraction in this Temple is Shiva is worshipped in several forms. On the North, which means South facing is that of Lord Dakshinamurti (Shiva as teacher), on the west Ardhanarishvara (Shiva and Shakti in one figure) and Brahma on the south. Almost life-size sculptures of some devotees, donors or royalty are carved along the corridors. I did not see any history written about them. The Nataraja shrine here is shaped in the form of a chariot, and the shrine dedicated to the Sun God.
Other Temples we saw included that of Shiva as Pathala Beejanatha. Pralayakaala Rudra and that of Kaali.
We were told that the Sun's rays fall on Nageswara on the 11th through the 13th day of the Tamil month Chithirai (Aries).
We were there in the winter month of November, so, did not witness this.
The temples at Thirunageswaram:
There are two major temples at Thirunageswaram. One is that of Oppliyappan, which is one of the famous 108 Divyadesams.
The other is that of ThiruNageswara. I don't remember much about these Temples.
The list of all the Temples we saw is so huge, I am surprised that I am able to keep track of this much.
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