BLOGS Stay Near Arulmigu Kotha Parameswarar Temple, Kunnathur | Nava Kailayam 4th Temple — Rahu Sthalam Nava Kailasam Temples May 5, 2026 Kotha Parameswarar Temple, Kotha Parameswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at Kunnathur village in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is located atop a small hill and Shiva is worshipped here as Kothai Parameswaran. His consort is Goddess Sivakamasundari. This is the fourth among the nine Nava Kailayam temples and is an important place associated with Navagraha Rahu.  This fourth Nava Kailayam temple, situated on the banks of the Thamirabarani, is considered the sacred place to worship and get relief from all misfortunes due to Rahu. The Sthala Vriksham is the Vilvam tree and the temple follows the Kamiga Agamam tradition.  What makes this temple extraordinary is a breathtaking rareness the Shiva Lingam worshipped here is unique as it has a snake sculpted directly on it  this is the only temple where a snake is seen carved into the Lingam itself. For pilgrims on the Nava Kailayam Yatra, Ananta Vihara in Thirukolur is the most peaceful and conveniently located homestay base across the entire circuit.  In the east-facing sanctum sanctorum, Swami Kotha Parameswara appears as a Lingam Thirumeni. It is special to see the serpent imprint on the Lingam a divine symbol of Rahu’s sacred presence in this kshetram. The Goddess is worshipped in a separate south-facing shrine with her own separate Vimana.  Apart from the main deity and Goddess, the following deities are also worshipped here: Nandi, Dakshinamurthy, Kannimoola Ganapathy, Arumugunainar, Chandikeswarar, Bhairava, and Valli-Deyavan with Murugan making it a beautifully complete Shiva temple despite its modest size.    In the outer side of this temple, an Arumuganainar statue is formed in a single stone with Thiruvachi — a rare and remarkable sculptural achievement. A serpent mark is found on the main deity’s Lingam chest.  The Meaning — Why “Kunnathur”? Kunnathur is also called Chenkaani — Kaani meaning land and Chenkaani meaning land of red soil. Since it is situated on a small hillock — Kundru in Tamil — it is also known as Kundrathur, which over time became Kunnathur. In ancient times it was called Keelvembunattu Chenkaani alias Navaninarayana Sathurvedhimangalam. The Legend — The Rare Fruit & the Pregnant Woman Once there was a king ruling this area who had a very rare tree near his palace. The tree would flower only once and yield only one fruit — which had the powers of giving eternal youth and strength to whoever consumed it. The king carefully safeguarded the tree, as the fruit was meant for him alone.  One day, a pregnant woman was carrying a pot of water from the river and passed by the tree. The ripe fruit fell into her pot without her realizing it. The next day, not finding the fruit, the king ordered a house-to-house search and located the pregnant woman. The woman, frightened, prayed to Lord Shiva — and the Lord appeared to protect her, ultimately blessing the child she carried with divine grace. The king, humbled by the Lord’s intervention, became a devoted Shiva bhakta. This sacred site where the Lord protected an innocent soul from royal wrath became the Kotha Parameswarar kshetram — Kotha meaning the one who protects.  The Equivalent of Kalahasti — A Sacred Trinity Kunnathur is one of three temples in close vicinity of each other: the Gotha Parameswarar Temple at Kunnathur, the Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Keela Thiruvengadanathapuram, and the Venkatachalapati Temple at Mela Thiruvengadanathapuram. Together, these three temples are considered the equivalent of Kalahasti, Keezh Tirupati, and Mel Tirupati — and it is customary to visit all three together.  It is believed that praying at this group of temples carries the same, if not greater, merit as praying at the corresponding temples at Kalahasti and Tirupati. Furthermore, it is believed that any prayers in the form of venduthal meant for Tirupati can be fulfilled here — but not the reverse.  This makes Kunnathur not just a Nava Kailayam stop — but a complete pilgrimage circuit of extraordinary spiritual significance!   A Temple Resurrected by Devotion As time passed, this temple began to lose its prominence. A few years ago there were around 100 houses near the temple premises. Due to the unanimous efforts of devoted Shiva devotees of this area, the Lord’s house was slowly resurrected. In those earlier times it was impossible for priests to even enter the sanctum sanctorum to perform poojas, as there were huge serpents lying on the idol of the Lord. Now, poojas are performed regularly at this temple. Historical Significance From the information of this temple’s inscriptions, the temple was built in the 13th century. King Veerapandian donated 4,200 units of money to this temple for daily poojas. There is a land scale in this temple — which, from inscriptions, was used to resolve disputes about land boundaries.  From the copper inscriptions preserved at the Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli, this temple was called Thirunaangeesaneri and the deity was called Thirunaagessar — similarly to the famous Thirunaageswaram Rahu Sthalam near Kumbakonam.  Navagraha Significance — Rahu Sthalam Worshipping Lord Shiva at this site is considered equal to worshipping at Thirunageswaram near Kumbakonam — one of the most powerful Rahu Sthalam temples in all of Tamil Nadu.  Worshipping here rectifies the following problems: stomach problems, mental disorder, haemorrhoids, marital problems, infertility, and academic hardship. This temple is special for Viruchigam (Scorpio) and Mesha (Aries) Rasi devotees.  Devotees throng here for relief from Rahu dosham and Naga dosham. Those who do not have children pray here for children.  Devotees pray here for: Relief from Rahu dosha Relief from Naga (serpent) dosha Child boon for childless couples Stomach and digestive health Mental peace and clarity Removal of marriage obstacles Academic and career success Scorpio (Viruchigam) & Aries (Mesha) Rasi blessings Special Days: Rahu Kalam prayers on Wednesdays, Pournami (Full Moon), and Pradosham are considered most powerful here.   Temple Open Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM & 5:00