The blazing hot sun is really a wonder to the eye. Located at a distance of about 9 crore 30 lakhs miles away
from the earth, the sun also provides immense light to the numerous stars and other planets that surround it. Due to the persistent need for sunlight in this planet, the sun is also being worshipped as the first among the nine
planets or the Navagrahas in the Hindu religion. The sun also played an important part in the times of the Mahabharata war. During those days it was customary not to fight after the sun has set. Also in the Ramayana, the son of the Sun, Sugriva killed
Vaali.
Among the temples in India which glorify the Sun God, the Suryanar temple in Tamil Nadu is of great importance. It is located in between Kumbhakonam and Tanjore.The main deity, the Sun God faces east. The temple runs under the administration of Thiruvaduthurai Aadhinam. The specialty of the temple is that all other planets face the Sun God. On entering the temple, one can spot the 'bali peetham'. The presiding deity is also called Suryanarayanaswamy. His Consorts are Sri Usha devi and Sri Pratyusha devi. In order to cool down the intensity of the heat of the sun, Guru is seen standing in the opposite direction. Among the other deities in the temple are Saturn without vehicle in a standing pose, Mercury, Mars, Moon with a flower in His hand which is not
fully bloomed, Ketu with clasped hands, Sukra and Rahu.
The temple is constructed in the form of a chariot. The tank of the temple is called Suryatheertham or Surya pushkarani. The temple was constructed in 1070 AD by the Cholas. It is believed that Marthanda Devan
was also involved in the construction of the temple. Devotees are supposed to perform the 'pradakshina' of the temple in the opposite direction, which is from the right to the left. There is a story supporting the origin of this temple. Once a sage by name Kalavar was meditating atop the Vindhyas. He was also well-versed in astrology. He discovered that he had the evil effects of some planets in his horoscope. In order to solve the problem, he meditated upon the planets. Pleased with his devotion, the planets appeared before him and moved by his penance, they granted him the desired boons. When Siva who symbolizes Sun, Parvati who represents Moon, Murugan who is Mars, Mercury who is Vishnu, Brahma who is Guru, Sukra and Saturn heard this, they remarked that the power to grant boons vests solely with the Gods and not with the planets. Thus saying, they cursed the planets. In order to free themselves from the curse, the planets followed the procedure advised by the Gods. Once freed from the curse, the planets are believed to have taken the form of Gods in this place first.
This temple is also important for the fact that king Parikshit worshipped the Sun, Siddhanga Pandian worshipped the Moon and Nala worshipped Saturn here. The Sun God does away with the hardships caused by Saturn. If a person has the evil effects of Saturn in his/her horoscope, then he/she may visit this temple. The vehicle of this God is the horse. His name is Saptha Saptham, which signifies the number seven. Seven horses draw the single wheeled chariot of the god. Another temple of significance to the Sun god is located at Thirukandiyur Virattam. This is located en route Tanjore and Thiruvarur. There is also a shrine at Panaiyapuram dedicated to the Sun god. It is located to the north of
Villupuram.
The blazing hot sun is really a wonder to the eye. Located at a distance of about 9 crore 30 lakhs miles away
from the earth, the sun also provides immense light to the numerous stars and other planets that surround it. Due to the persistent need for sunlight in this planet, the sun is also being worshipped as the first among the nine
planets or the Navagrahas in the Hindu religion. The sun also played an important part in the times of the Mahabharata war. During those days it was customary not to fight after the sun has set. Also in the Ramayana, the son of the Sun, Sugriva killed
Vaali.
The temple is constructed in the form of a chariot. The tank of the temple is called Suryatheertham or Surya pushkarani. The temple was constructed in 1070 AD by the Cholas. It is believed that Marthanda Devan
was also involved in the construction of the temple. Devotees are supposed to perform the 'pradakshina' of the temple in the opposite direction, which is from the right to the left. There is a story supporting the origin of this temple. Once a sage by name Kalavar was meditating atop the Vindhyas. He was also well-versed in astrology. He discovered that he had the evil effects of some planets in his horoscope. In order to solve the problem, he meditated upon the planets. Pleased with his devotion, the planets appeared before him and moved by his penance, they granted him the desired boons. When Siva who symbolizes Sun, Parvati who represents Moon, Murugan who is Mars, Mercury who is Vishnu, Brahma who is Guru, Sukra and Saturn heard this, they remarked that the power to grant boons vests solely with the Gods and not with the planets. Thus saying, they cursed the planets. In order to free themselves from the curse, the planets followed the procedure advised by the Gods. Once freed from the curse, the planets are believed to have taken the form of Gods in this place first.
This temple is also important for the fact that king Parikshit worshipped the Sun, Siddhanga Pandian worshipped the Moon and Nala worshipped Saturn here. The Sun God does away with the hardships caused by Saturn. If a person has the evil effects of Saturn in his/her horoscope, then he/she may visit this temple. The vehicle of this God is the horse. His name is Saptha Saptham, which signifies the number seven. Seven horses draw the single wheeled chariot of the god. Another temple of significance to the Sun god is located at Thirukandiyur Virattam. This is located en route Tanjore and Thiruvarur. There is also a shrine at Panaiyapuram dedicated to the Sun god. It is located to the north of
Villupuram.
