“A serpent’s hiss echoes through time,” our guide began, his voice low and mysterious, “right here at Sri Naagaathamman Aalayam.” Sri Naagaathamman Aalayam in Nandambakkam isn’t just a temple. It’s a whisper of ancient traditions, a tribute to the serpent goddess, Devi Nagathamman. The temple, facing north, holds the goddess in her sanctum, a serene figure seated under a protective snake hood. At her feet rests another Amman’s head, a detail that sparks curiosity and whispers of untold stories. Outside the main sanctum, a large stucco image of Nagathamman commands attention. She sits in sukasana, the snake hood her canopy, her hands holding damru, soolam, a knife, and a kapala. Navagrahas watch over the scene, alongside Pal Muniswarar and another depiction of Nagathamman with Nagars under a sacred peepal tree. A large Nag, entwined with the peepal’s roots, adds to the mystical atmosphere. A well, a silent witness to history, stands before the stucco image, its inscription a bridge to the past. Dug in 1900 AD by Syed Khadhar Sahib, son of Syed Ibrahim Sahib, the well served the community long before the temple’s construction. Though no longer in use, the temple authorities carefully preserve both the well and its inscription. The gurukkal, the temple’s caretaker, reveals that Nagathamman was revered by Nags, Devdas, and snakes. Sri Naagaathamman Aalayam is a parikara sthalam for Raghu and Kethu, celestial bodies of significance. A three-day annual festival during the Tamil Adi month keeps the traditions alive. As we stand here, imagine the vibrant energy during those celebrations, a testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition at Sri Naagaathamman Aalayam.
CSI CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Built without a single piece of wood the CSI Church of the Good Shepherd stands tall. Its Gothic architecture is