The place where the serpant adisesha did tapas and got the boon of Lord Vishnu. Let's look into Neelamegha perumal koil, Thiru Naagai/Nagapattinam.
Sthala Puranam:
Adisesha’s Penance:
After the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthan), Adisesha (Vishnu’s serpent bed) felt proud of his role.
To humble him and grant him a higher boon, Lord Vishnu instructed Adisesha to perform tapas (austerity) at a sacred spot on earth.
Adisesha descended to Thirunaagai, coiled himself into a 1000-hooded form, and meditated facing east.
“I wish to serve You eternally as Your seat, bed, and umbrella.”
The Divine Sound (Naadham)
Pleased with Adisesha’s devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared with Sri Lakshmi on Garuda.
A celestial sound (Omkara Naadham) resonated across the land — so powerful that it shook the earth.
This divine vibration is the origin of the name “Naagai” (Naadham + Ai = place of divine sound).
The Lord’s Promise:
Vishnu blessed Adisesha: “You shall eternally serve Me here. This kshetra will be known as Thirunaagai, and I shall reside as Neelamegha Perumal - dark as the rain cloud - to shower grace on all devotees.”
The Naga Kanyas (Serpent Maidens):
The daughters of Adisesha (Naga Kanyas) also performed penance here to attain moksha.
Lord Vishnu appeared and granted them liberation.
→ Hence, the temple is powerful for Sarpa Dosha Nivaranam (removal of serpent curses).
King Nagavarma’s Redemption:
A king named Nagavarma was cursed to become a serpent due to a sin.
He worshipped here, bathed in the Pushkarini, and was restored to human form by the Lord’s grace.
Thirumangai Azhwar’s Vision:
While traveling through Nagapattinam, Thirumangai Azhwar was caught in a violent storm (heavy rain, thunder, darkness).
Homeless and drenched, he sought refuge near the temple.
Lord Neelamegha Perumal appeared as a dark rain cloud (Neelamegham) and sheltered him under His divine presence.
This direct vision (sakshatkaram) overwhelmed the Azhwar - he saw the Lord exactly as described in the Vedas:“Megha Shyamam” dark like a rain-bearing cloud.
The place where the vaahan of Bhagwan Shiva, Nandi, got blessed by Vishnu Bhagwan and got his curse removed. Let's look at Nathan Koil, Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram.
Sthala puranam:
Nandi’s Arrogance and Curse:
In ancient times, Nandi grew proud of his proximity to Lord Shiva and began neglecting proper worship protocols.
During a yaga (sacrifice) performed by the Devas, Nandi improperly entered the yaga shala without due reverence.
Enraged, the sages cursed Nandi to lose his divine form and be born as a human with a bull’s head (a deformity).
Penance and Redemption:
Ashamed, Nandi undertook severe penance in various sacred places but found no relief.
Finally, he arrived at this kshetra (then a dense nandavanam or garden of nandhi trees) and performed intense tapas facing west toward the Pushkarani (temple tank).
Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared before him as Sri Nathanatha Perumal (also called Jagannathan – "Lord of the Universe").
The Lord blessed Nandi, restored his original form, and granted him moksha (liberation).
Azhwar Connection:
Thirumangai Azhwar sang 10 pasurams (verses 1418–1427) in Periya Thirumozhi praising the Lord as "Nathanatha" and the temple as "Nandipura Vinnagaram".