Rahu, the northern lunar node, is considered one of the nine planets in Hindu astrology known as Navagrahas. This celestial body is associated with the goddess Durga and is often referred to as a shadowy planet due to its imaginary nature. Despite lacking physical form, Rahu holds great power and is recognized as a planet. Interestingly, it moves in the opposite direction and takes approximately 18 years to complete its journey through all zodiac signs, spending about 1.5 years in each sign.
It is believed that Rahu governs a person’s ego, rage, mentality, lust, and alcoholism, as well as numerous erroneous life activities. Rahu is often associated with unconscious desires, dissatisfactions, fears, obsessions, ambitions, illusions, hallucinations, trances, and unresolved issues from previous lives.
With Rahu in a favorable placement, according to Vedic astrology, the individual can expect great wealth and abundance. This positioning also bestows authority, administrative roles, and exceptional diplomacy skills. The realm of politics can also benefit from Rahu’s influence. However, those with a weak position of Rahu may experience an increased susceptibility to deception and betrayal. This could lead to numerous obstacles in their personal and professional lives that they must overcome. Furthermore, individuals influenced by Rahu may also be more prone to illness, legal issues, and imprisonment.
The Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple is a Hindu temple in Tirunageswaram, a village near Kumbakonam, a town in Tamil Nadu, India. As one of the Navagraha Stalas temples associated with the nine planet elements, specifically Rahu, it is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as it is dedicated to Shiva. The lingam is a symbol of Shiva, who is worshipped as Naganathar. Parvati is depicted by Piraisooodi Amman as his wife.
It is one of the many temple towns in the state that gets its name from the grooves, clusters, or forests that are dominated by one kind of tree or shrub. The same type of tree or shrub holds the presiding deity in the temple. Since the area was believed to have been covered by Chamapaka forest, it is called Chamapakavanam.
Due to the abundance of Senbaga trees at this location, Hindu legend holds that Adishesha, Takshaka, and Karkotaka adored Shiva at this location, which is called Tirunageswaram. According to Hindu legend, Adisesha, the king of snakes, performed penance there. Shiva appeared to him because he was pleased with the penance. The Serpent King is known as Naganathar because Shiva gave him a blessing.
