Introduction

Nagerkoil is a little town close to Kanyakumari, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) away, famed for the Nagaraja Temple dedicated to serpent god, Nagaraja. To get to Nagerkoil you can take a state bus from Kanyakumari offering frequent services. Nagaraja temple was originally a Dravidian Tamil Jain temple dedicated built to pay tribute to Lord Parsvanath. Legend has it that many years later the Hindus took over and converted it into a temple to mythological god Nagaraja. Incidentally the symbol of Lord Parsvanath is snake. And the locally found Nagalinga flower is also symbolic of Lord Nagaraja. Browse the inner sanctum for its many snake sculptures. You will also find images of Jain Tirthankaras, Mahavir and Parsvanath carved on the pillars.

Worth remarking is the temple entrance whose architecture is reminiscent to that of a Buddhist monastery. Once inside the inner sanctum you are bound to notice its typical features such as the roof made of coconut branches and bamboo sticks and the enclosing mud wall. Interestingly, the prasad distributed among devotees here is wet clay scooped out of the ground on which Lord Nagaraja is enshrined. Nagerkoil’s Nagaraja temple is greatly revered also because it unifies four religions – Jainism, Buddhism, Saivism and Vaishnavism. True to its name, many cobras can be spotted inside, but they do not harm anyone. They are believed to guard this ancient shrine. With Nagaraja as the presiding deity, the temple also has idols of Lord Shiva and Ananthakrishna - an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Steeped in legend and mythology, the temple is Nagerkoil’s beating heart and an unusual experience for a first-timer.

Special Attributes

The prasad distributed among devotees here is wet clay scooped out of the ground on which Lord Nagaraja is enshrined.

Nuisance

The site is peaceful, and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress conservatively. Wear fully covered clothes.

Connectivity

You can take a state bus, taxi or auto-rickshaw from Kanyakumari to Nagerkoil.

Enjoyed by

People who are religiously inclined, Backpackers, Families

Exposure

You will mostly be indoors.

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

The shrine is on the way to Padmanabhapuram famous for its palace.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

A visit in the first half of the day would be ideal. Make sure you do not disturb the resident snakes.

Type of site

Religious shrine/Temple