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Hindu Religion Miracle - Nagaraja Swami Temple in Nagercoil - Sand Here Turns Color During Uttarayana And Dakshinayana

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Nagaraja Swami Temple in Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu is a popular Naga or Snake Temple in this region. The sand or clay around the Nagaraja Murti is unique as it changes its color during the Uttarayan and Dakshinayana. Uttarayana is the journey of the sun northward and Dakshinayana is the journey of the sun southwards.

The sand or clay around the main murti in temple is black when the Dakshinayana takes place (mid July to mid December). The color of sand or clay changes to white during Uttarayana (mid December to July).

This sand is given to devotees as Prasad and they wear it on the forehead.

Sand Here Turns Color During Uttarayana And Dakshinayana

The presiding deity in the temple is Nagaraja – five headed cobra and is seated on the sand bed.

The temple also once had a creeper named Odavalli. It grew abundantly behind the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and was known to cure leprosy. Each leaf of the creeper had a different taste. But sadly this plant was destroyed.

The temple is located around 12 km from Kanyakumari and is on the way from Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari.

Other aspects of the temple:

  • The dwarapalakas in the Nagaraja Temple are Darnendran and Padmavathi.
  • The temple has thatched roof for snakes to live peacefully.
  • The thatched roof is renewed every year in Aadi month (July - August).
  • There is a garden of Nagalinga flower in the temple premises.
  • Offering milk on Ayilyam or Ashlesha nakshatra day in the shrine in a month helps in finding relief to naga dosha.
  • The puja in the temple is performed as per Kerala tradition.
  • Tortoise is found on the flag post in the shrine.
  • Two important subsidiary shrines in the temple are that of Kashi Vishwanath and Ananthakrishna.
  • The last puja in the day is offered to Ananthakrishna.
  • There is a Durga Temple in the premises. People facing horoscope related issues associated with Navagrahas Rahu Ketu worship here during the Rahukalam time on Tuesdays – between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM