Overview
Naganathaswamy Temple in Keezhaperumpallam (also called Vanagiri), near Thiruvenkadu in Mayiladuthurai district, is the Ketu Navagraha Sthalam, and among the most visited dedicated Ketu temples in South India. The main deity, Naganatha Swamy, is worshipped alongside consort Soundaryanaki, with Ketu specifically enshrined facing west within the temple's north praharam (precinct).
History
The temple is credited to construction under the Chola kings, giving it a mediaeval royal patronage history in keeping with several other Navagraha Sthalams in the same wider Cauvery Delta region. It features a two-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakarams.
Spiritual Significance
Ketu's iconography here, depicted with a serpent's head and an asura's (demon's) body, directly reflects the Puranic legend of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean): when the asura Rahu disguised himself to drink the nectar of immortality (amrita) meant only for the gods, Vishnu (in his Mohini form) alerted Surya and Chandra, and Vishnu severed Rahu's head in anger; because the nectar had already been consumed, both the head (Rahu) and the body (which became Ketu) continued to live on independently. Ketu is devotionally understood to bring prosperity, and to remove the effects of snakebite and poison-related illness.
Scriptures & Texts
Editorial note: Scripture references below are based on widely cited scholarly and traditional sources. Specific verse citations should be independently verified before publication.
The Rahu/Ketu origin legend from the Samudra Manthan is documented across Puranic literature. Specific verse-level citation requires expert verification before publication.
Prayers at Naganathaswamy Temple, Keezhaperumpallam (Navagraha: Ketu Sthalam)
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे
जय लक्ष्मी रमणा, स्वामी जय लक्ष्मी रमणा
विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः।
श्री शुक उवाच -
अच्युतं केशवं रामनारायणं कृष्णदामोदरं वासुदेवं हरिम् ।
ॐ तच्छं योरावृणीमहे । गातुं यज्ञाय । गातुं यज्ञपतये । दैवी स्वस्तिरस्तु नः ।
Pilgrimage Information
When to visit: November to February offers the most comfortable weather; Tuesdays are considered particularly significant for Ketu worship here.
Getting there: Keezhaperumpallam is near Thiruvenkadu, reached by road from Mayiladuthurai or Sirkazhi.
Family Suitability
Well suited to families of all ages, given the easy road access.
Accommodation
Modest pilgrim accommodation is available locally; fuller options are available via Mayiladuthurai.
Local Services
Reasonable local services are available near the temple, with fuller services available via Mayiladuthurai.
Do’s & Don’ts
Do
- Consider visiting on a Tuesday, the day traditionally associated with Ketu worship here.
- Combine a visit with the nearby Thiruvenkadu Budhan Temple, given their close proximity.
- Dress modestly, as at any active Hindu temple.
Don’t
- Don't overlook the Samudra Manthan legend's role in explaining Ketu's distinctive iconography when presenting the temple's story.
Nearby Sacred Locations
- Thirunageswaram Rahu Temple
The Rahu Navagraha Sthalam, part of the same circuit, and mythologically paired with Ketu.
- Thiruvenkadu Budhan Temple
The Budha (Mercury) Navagraha Sthalam, a short distance away.
- Navagraha Sthalams of Tamil Nadu (overview)
This platform's overview of the full nine-temple Navagraha circuit.
Preservation
Specific current conservation programme details were not found in the sources consulted for this page.
Giving Back
Support the temple through its own official HR&CE-administered donation channels.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-07-11. Scaffolding content: This page was seeded with well-known public information for development purposes and is pending full editorial review before publication.