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SURYANAR KOIL Situated
21 kms from Swamimalai is the Suryanar Koil built
by King Kulothunga Chola I in the year 1100 AD. This
temple is dedicated to Sun God Surya who is known
as the giver of health, success and prosperity. Every
year in mid January, the harvest festival is celebrated
in thanksgiving and to honour Surya.
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THINGALOOR Though
there is a question about when this temple was built,
historians agree that it must have been in existence
since before the beginning of the Bhakti period, which
was well before the seventh century A.D. Dedicated
to the Moon or Chandran in Sanskrit and Thingal in
Tamil, a visit to this temple is said to grant a comfortable
and long life. In astrology, Chandran is the planet
that removes stress and sorrow.
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VAITHESWARAN KOIL
With the Vaitheswaran Koil, there is a special shrine
dedicated to Ankarakan or Sevvai or Mars. The belief
is that if prayers are offered to Ankarakan, he
will bestow valour, victory and strength to the
person. Upon entering the temple, devotees first
go the Siddhamrita tank. The water is said to have
curative properties for various skin ailments. There
is also a widespread belief that a visit here would
remove obstacles that delay marriage.
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THIRUVENKADU There
is a reference to this temple in Valmiki’s Ramayana.
Therefore it is said that the oldest part of the temple
is more than 3000 years old. Dedicated to Budhan or
Mercury this temple in Thiruvenkadu makes up the last
of the Navagraha Temples. Budhan is said to bestow
wisdom and intellect. |
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ALANGUDI This is
regarded as a Guru sthalam or Jupiter where Lord Dakshinamurthy
is held in great reverence. The shrine attracts a
large number of devotees when Jupiter transits between
zodiac signs. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva,
is said to have been reborn on the banks of the Amrita
Pushkarini within the temple precincts before being
reunited with Shiva. |
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KANCHANOOR This
Shiva sthalam is associated with Sukran or Venus and
is maintained by the Madurai Adhinam. It is located
in a quiet hamlet of Thiruvaavaduturai.This shrine
is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Brahmapurai and
Agnisthalam. Brahma is said to have had a vision here
of Shiva's wedding with Parvati. Men visit to pray
for the well being of their wives. |
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THIRUNALLAR This is the only temple that is dedicated
to Lord Sani or Saturn. When the planet Saturn transits
between zodiac signs, literally millions throng this
shrine. The legendary King Nala is said to have been
relieved of his afflictions, which were due to the
malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this
temple. Of the numerous tanks theertams, the Nala
theertam is the most important one. By bathing here,
it is believed that one is washed off all kinds of
misfortune and afflictions.
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TIRUNAGESHWARAM
This vast temple known is for its shrine to Rahu,
one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha.
A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan,
Dakshan and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend
also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as
in Thirunallar. |
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KEEZHPERUMPALLAM This is an ancient Shaivite temple
and legend has it that Kethu, the other planetary
node of the nine celestial bodies worshipped Shiva
here. Rahu and Kethu are associated with the legend
of the serpent that helped Lord Shiva churn the milky
ocean. There is a shrine dedicated to Kethu in this
temple.
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