Prayer, prayer
commitments, speciality, reputation, general information,
festivals and history.
Prayer:
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Sun
planet enjoys the first rank among the planets, hence
devotees throng in huge numbers here. They pray for relief
from the various problems they face in life.
Those facing problems due to the
Seven and Half Year Saturn effect, and the effect of Saturn
while transiting in the 8th
house of the horoscope of the individual and problems due to
the effects of other planets should stay in the temple for
12 Sundays. They have to stay in Suriyanar Koil for about 78
days covering 12 Sundays. Each day they must have a dip in
the nine springs, undertake a fasting, worship
Thirumangalakudi Prananathar and Mangalanayaki and do
remedial pujas. This will protect them from the adverse
effects. Those facing trouble due to Sun main period or Sun
sub-period or aspects of Sun according to their horoscopes
should visit this temple for total relief and reduce the
intensity of the effects. The worship in the temple offers
solutions and prevents obstacle coming in the way of
endeavours. |
| Prayer
commitments:
Nadi Pariharam is one followed in
the temple and Homas to the Nine Planets. Archanas are
offered to Sun. He is bathed with sugar pudding (Sarkarai
Pongal). People also offer Wheat, Jaggery, harvested grains
to the Lord equal to their weight (Thulabaram). Devotees tie
up cradles to get children. Annadhanam (feeding the visiting
devotees) is also undertaken by devotees. |
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Speciality:
Sun God grants darshan to the
devotees from the Sanctum Sanctorum facing eastward with his
consorts Ushadevi and Pradhyusha Devi also known as Chaya
Devi. Sun also holds two lotus flowers in his hands. As it
would be hard to face the heat of the Sun, Jupiter is just
opposite to Sun to reduce the degree of his heat. The Horse,
the vehicle of Sun is also before him. As Nandi is in the
shrines of Siva, the Horse in Sun shrine. |
| It may
be recalled that the Uchikizhan Kottam near Poompuhar was
destroyed by a tsunami during the Sangam Age. But
Suriyanarkoil escaped this disaster and is standing as an
outstanding example of ancient Tamil history. Suriyanarkoil
gains its significance with its divine power, graceful
blessings open to the devotees and the faith of the people
in Sun God.
Reputation:
There are only two temples for Sun
God in India, the Konark in North and Suriyanarkoil in
South. There is no idol worship in Konark as in the southern
temple. |
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The devotee can worship all the planets
in this temple and the Navagrahas – the nine planets – are the
main deities in the temple. Lord Sun appears with his two
consorts. He is not hot as expected to be but calm and graceful.
All the planets here act only with a blessingful mind. The temple
belongs to Thiruvavaduthurai Aadeenam.
General Information:
The temple administration can be
contacted on telephone No. 91-435-2472349. Suriyanarkoil is 17 Kms
from Kumbakonam and 22 from Mayiladuthurai.
Devotees visiting Suriyanarkoil may stay
in lodges in Kumbakonam.
Charges vary from Rs. 150 to Rs. 600.
Also they can stay in lodges in Thanjavur, the capital of the
district.
Hotel Tamilnadu – tel no. 21421 -21024
and 21325
Hotel Ganesh – 22789
Hotel Sangam – 24895
Hotel Parisuddham – 212466
Hotel Oriental Towers – 31467
Charges start from Rs. 200 to Rs. 2000
Bus facilities are available from
Mayiladuthurai, Aduthurai, Anaikarai and Thirupananthal. The
pilgrim should get down at the Thirumangalakudi Kaliamman bus stop
and has to walk two furlongs eastward to reach Suriyanarkoil.
NearestRailway stations are Aduthurai, Kumbakonam and
Mayiladuthurai. Nearest Airport Trichy.
festivals:
Rathasapthami (the turning of the Rath of
Sun from south towards north in the Tamil month of Thai –
January-February marking the six months called Utharayana) on the
10day of Thai is an important festival in the temple. Special
pujas are performed on all Sundays to Sivasuriyanar. This is known
as Maha Abishek.
Also the transit days of Saturn and
Jupiter are celebrated very devotionally in the temple.
History:
Muni Kalava was suffering from leprosy.
He prayed to the nine planets for the cure which was granted to
him. Brahmma the creator was angry. He told the planets that their
duty was to subject all beings to suffer or enjoy life based on
their bad or good deeds and they had no permission to grant boons
which was a violation of the norms of their appointments.
Therefore, they also should suffer from leprosy, he cursed. They
performed severe penance on Lord Shiva in this place, once a dense
Vellerukku forest. Lord Shiva appeared before them, lauded their
penance and said they should do all good to those praying them.
