Sri Kayarohana Swami Temple Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu

Kayarahanaswamy Temple or Kayaroganeswarar temple or Neelayadakshi is dedicated to Lord Shiva in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. Here Lord Shiva deity is known as Kayarohana and his consort as Neelayadakshi. This is one of the place where the Lingam is made up of Ruby. Hence, the Lord is also called Sundara Vidangar. The shrine of the Lord Thyagaraja is also present here. The eyes of mother Ambika is blue in color as sea showing her deepness and mercy to devotees. She has her own shrine with a flag post – Kodi Moram.

There is also a shrine of Mother Ashta Bhuja (eight hands) Kali in temple. It is said that this temple was constructed by Lord Lakulisha – 28th and last incarnation of Lord Shiva who born in Gujarat.

Legend

Sage Pundarika was advised by Sage Kanwa to do penance to Lord Shiva for seeking salvation. Shiva gave a darshan and embraced the sage and granted salvation. Usually the soul merges with the divine but as the Lord embraced (Aarohanam) Sage Pundarika along with his body (Tamil: Kayam), Shiva is called Kaya (body) Aarohana (embrace) Easwarar – Lord Kayaroganeswarar.

Another legend says that the King of Serpents prayed to Shiva and was blessed with a girl child. She was born with three breasts and the serpent king was greatly upset. Shiva assured the king that one breast would disappear when a king from the Surya dynasty visited him. King Shalisuhan came to this place, the third breast vanished. The Naga king in delight gave his daughter to Shalisuhan in marriage. As the Naga king worshipped here, the place came to be known as Nagai Karonam that later became Nagapattinam.

Generally, temples are closed if a death occurs in a nearby place. In this place, the garlands and the clothes – vastras used for the Lord is placed on corpse. A fisherman, Adhipathar attained salvation with the grace of Lord Shiva in this place. Remembering this event, as a mark of respect to the community, this practice is followed in this temple. The body is placed before the temple without closing the doors. The garland and the vastras used for the Lord are placed on the body.

Vaikasi Wedding festival in May-June; Aadi Pooram in July-August; Shivrathri in February-March; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
The event of Sage Pundarika entering the shrine of Lord Shiva and merging with him is celebrated during the Arthajama Puja (last puja of the day) in Aani (June-July) on the day when the star Ayilyam rules the skies.