Arulmigu Sri Nagaraja Thirukkoil:

Nagercoil, a tranquil and attractive city in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is located near the tip of the Indian Peninsula and neighbors the bustling Kanyakumari. Nagercoil is a fascinating area to explore. However, the city does not have a large number of (popular) tourist attractions. On the other hand, the entire city is a must-see destination because Mother Nature has lavishly gifted it with natural beauty.
As a result, visitors to Kanyakumari make a point of visiting this lovely town, which provides rapid refuge from the concrete jungles! Nagercoil is a well-known pilgrimage destination since it is home to the renowned Arulmigu Sri Nagaraja Thirukkoil. According to legend, the city of Nagercoil was named after the Arulmigu Sri Nagaraja Thirukkoil, which is located in the city center.

Location and Importance of Arulmigu Sri Nagaraja Thirukkoil:

A visit to the famed Kanyakumari will be completed without a stop in the tranquil city of Nagercoil, which serves as the district's administrative headquarters. Nagercoil, located about 19.9 kilometers from Kanyakumari (by NH47), is well known for the famed Nagaraja Temple, which attracts local, national, and international visitors year-round. Originally known as Kottar, Nagercoil derived its name from the Nagaraja Temple, and the prior name gradually faded.

There are no accurate records or recognized history about the age of this temple. However, the Mahendragiri mountain in the district is described as the home of Nagas in the Valmiki Ramayana. Based on literary acknowledgments, it is reasonable to believe that the region's Naga connection stretches back to ancient times. As the name suggests, Arulmigu Sri Nagaraja Thirukkoil is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Nagaraja, the serpent king. Nagaraja, also known as Sri Nagaraja Swami, is a swayambu murthi (self-manifested) in this temple. The Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple is regarded as an appropriate destination of worship for those facing unfavourable aspects of the serpent planets.

It is worth noting that there are typically no particular temples created for horses or vahanas such as Nandi the bull - Lord Shiva, Garuda the eagle-like creature - Lord Vishnu, Mayil the peacock - Lord Muruga, and Moonjuru the mouse - Lord Ganesha. Contrary to popular perception, Arulmigu Sri Nagaraja Thirukkoil is a temple devoted to the Nagas (serpents). The spiritual belief behind Naga worship is that the serpent moves through filth and dust, but nothing touches, harms, sticks, or remains on its body.It is thought that although if we, the people, are in an environment of family, loved ones, materials, and so on, we should remain unaffected by the effects of such spirit and practice the act of avoiding emotional engagement and personal identity.

Nagaraja is the principal deity of the Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple, and he blesses visitors from the sanctum sanctorum in an elegant five-headed position. Darnendran (a male snake) and Padmavathi (a female snake) serve as the temple's protection or doorkeepers (dwarapalakas). Because snakes are the temple's guardians, the garbha gruha has a thatched roof, which is a house roof composed of plant material (such as straw). Every year, during the Tamil month of Aadi, the temple management renews the thatched roof. Furthermore, the garbha gruha is a surface constructed of loose material consisting of rock grains and moisture, which is offered to devotees as prasadham.

Lord Kasi Viswanathar, Kannimoola Ganapathi, and Anantha Krishnan are all worshipped in distinct temples at this temple. The 'Arthajama poojai' (final puja of the day) is unique in that it is performed to Lord Ananhakrishna rather than the presiding god of Nagaraja. Furthermore, the kodimaram or dhavajastambha (holy flag post) is solely dedicated to Sri Anantha Krishna, with Nagaraja as the major deity! The temple also includes a magnificent garden filled with stunning Nagalinga flowers.There is a sannadhi for Goddess Durga, which is located beside a sacred natural spring, and the goddess here is known as 'Theertha Durgai'. Devotees who are experiencing difficulties due to Rahu-Kethu planetary configurations come to the temple every Tuesday to see the goddess during the Raahu kalam time slot. The goddess Theertha Durgai is respectfully referred to as 'Ammachi Durga'.

It is thought that Arulmigu Sri Nagaraja Thirukkoil was originally a Dravidian (Tamil) Jain site that later became a Hindu temple with Nagaraja as the presiding deity. The presence of images of Lord Mahavira (Vardhamana), Tirthankaras, and Lord Parshvanath on the columns backs up this claim. The temple still houses idols of Lord Mahavira and Lord Parshvanath. The entranceway to this temple is reminiscent of Chinese style. Nagamani Bhoothathan and Lord Balamuruga are among the other deities worshipped at this temple.