The presiding deity is Lord Shiva as Naganatha Swamy, and his consort Giri Gujambikai. The temple also houses a separate shrine for Rahu Bhagavan along with his two consorts Nagakanni and Nagavalli. Architecture of the Temple The temple is built in Dravidian style with multiple prakarams and gopurams (gateway towers). There are four major gateways (gopurams) along the four sides, enclosing the outermost prakaram. The temple compound walls surround these. In the second precinct there is the Rahu shrine (Rahu sannidhi) in a specific corner, and mandapams (pillared halls) with ornate pillars, some in Nayak style. The hall in the path to main shrine has pillars with yali motifs (mythical creatures). There is a hundred pillar hall (100 pillars), particularly in the tank side / southern side of temple; large mandapams and a water head with four mandaps are noted. is also considered sacred and medicinal. How to Reach to Temple By Road: Thirunageswaram is approximately 6‑7 km from Kumbakonam. It lies on the bus route to Karaikal. Frequent buses are available from Kumbakonam. By Train: Thirunageswaram has its own small railway station connected via Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai etc. Or one can travel by train to Kumbakonam and then by road. By Air: The nearest major airport is Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) International Airport (around ~100‑km or more) from Thirunageswaram. Temple Timings Temple Location

Shiva is worshipped here as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran — “The Divine Healer” (Vaidya = doctor, Ishvara = lord). Architecture of the Temple The temple is built in Dravidian style. It has a five‑tiered main gopuram (rajagopuram) plus two inner gopurams. Large precincts (prakarams). The main shrine (garbhagriha) holds the self‑manifested Shiva Lingam facing west, which is somewhat unusual (many temples have deities facing east). There is a shrine of Thaiyal Nayagi (the consort goddess) in the second precinct. Neem (margosa) tree (Sthala Vriksha) inside temple grounds, believed to have medicinal properties. Temple has multiple mandapams (pillared halls), sculpture work, metal images of deities such as Nataraja, Angaraka etc. is also considered sacred and medicinal. How to Reach to Temple Located in Vaitheeswaran Koil village, between Sirkazhi and Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu. By road: There are frequent bus services from nearby towns such as Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam. It’s well connected. By train: Nearest railway stations are Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram, etc. Also, there is a small local station at Vaitheeswaran Koil. By air: The nearest airports are Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) (domestic) and possibly Chennai for international flights; travellers then go by road/rail. Temple Timings Temple Location

The main deity is Lord Shiva in the form Swetharanyeswarar (“Lord of the White Forest”). His consort is called Brahma Vidya Ambal. Architecture of the Temple Style: Dravidian architecture. The temple has granite walls enclosing the complex, with beautiful stone carvings and multiple shrines. Features: Water bodies: as mentioned (three theerthams). A five‑tiered Raja Gopuram (main entrance tower). Multiple entrances (east and west) within the complex. Several mandapams, pillared halls. Inscriptions from Chola period. Beautiful bronze images and sculptures. Shrines: main Shiva shrine with Swetharanyeswarar, separate shrine for Budha (Mercury), also Aghora Murthi and Nataraja, among others. How to Reach to Temple By Road: Thiruvenkadu is connected by road. It lies about 13‑15 km from Sirkazhi, about 24‑25 km from Mayiladuthurai. By Rail: The nearest railway station is Sirkazhi. Also, Kumbakonam is a major railhead not too far away. By Air: Nearest major airport is Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) (~150 km), also accessible from Chennai or Pondicherry but farther. Temple Timings Temple Location