Suryanar Temple

Navagraha Temple

Saivite Temples, Thanjavur District

God

Viswanathar, facing east

Goddess

Visalakshi, facing south

Other Deities

Surya with consorts, Guru, Saneeswara, Budhan, Angaaran, Chandran, Kethu, Sukran, Rahu, Chandikeswara, Kol Kheertha Vinayaga, Muruga, Nataraja, Sivakami

Suryanar Temple is one of the 9 Navagraha Sthalams in this circuit. Though this temple is for Lord Surya, the other Grahas (planets) also have separate shrines here. Suryanar Temple is considered the only such one in the State. Surya (Sun God) is seen facing west with his consorts Chaaya and Usha in an elevated sanctum sanctorum shaped like a chariot representing the vehicle of Surya.

Holy water (Theertham) – Surya Pushkarini

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vellurukku (Calotropis procera)

History

One of the inscriptions found in Suryanar Temple states that it was built in the reign of Kulothunga Chola (1060-1118 CE) and was called Kulottungachola-Marttandalaya. The present masonry structure was built during his reign (mentioned as Kulottunga Choladeva) with later additions during the Vijayanagar period. Suryanar Temple has a three-tiered Rajagopuram. The current granite shrine is believed to have been built by a Srivijaya (Indonesia) King.

Legend

Sage Kalava was suffering from leprosy. He prayed to the Navagrahas, the nine planet deities who, pleased by his devotion, offered a cure to the sage. Brahma was angered as he felt that the planets have no powers to provide boons to humans. He cursed them to suffer from leprosy and were sent down to earth into a Vellerukku (Calotropis procera) forest. The planets prayed to Shiva who cured them and said that they would have to grace the devotees from here at Suryanar Temple.

Directions

Suryanar Temple is half a kilometer east of Thirumangalakudi and and 2 kilometers north of Aaduthurai on the Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai road.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea and snack shops. Closest is Kumbakonam.

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