Sooriyanarkoil Sun Temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

16-September-2525

Sooriyanarkoil Sun Temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

THE LORD SUN TEMPLE AT SOORIYANARKOIL

Kumbakonam, Southern Tamilnadu.

Nadi Jothidam

Name of the Place/Village: Sooriyanarkoil

Taluk, District: Kumbakonam, Thanjavur

Distance: 306 Km. from Chennai

Way to reach the Station: Frequent bus and train facilities are available from Chennai to Mayiladuthurai. Sooriyanarkoil is situated between Kumbakonam and Aduthurai. Exactly 1 km from Aduthurai and convenient transportation are (buses, cars) available at any time to the temple.

Contact Number of the Temple: 0435-2472349 (There is no Hotel (food) and Accommodation facility around the Temple Premise)

Timing of the Temple: 6am-1 pm, 4pm-8pm

The devotees who come to Sooriyanarkoil usually visit God Prananadheeshwarar and Goddess Mangalanayahi at Thirumangalakudi. Thirumangalakudi is half kilometer distance to the Sun Temple, at Sooriyanarkoil, and beside there is God Pranadheeshwarar Temple

God: Prananadheeshwarar

Goddess: Mangalanayahi

Name of the God and Goddess in the Sun Temple at Sooriyanarkoil: Lord Sun, Goddesses Umadevi and Sayadevi

Favorite stone of Lord Sun: Red Stone

Placement/position of other Deities / Grahas at the Sun Termple: Lord Guru facing Lord Sun, Lord Saneeshwarar (Saturn) in the South West direction, Lord Bhudhan in the East, Sevai in the South East, Kedhu in the North East direction, Lord Sukkiran in the North, Rahu in the North Western direction. Lord Chandhra (Moon) has a separate Temple inside.

Monumental Tree(Sthala Virutcham): Vellerukku (Calotropis Procera)

Punnia Theerthas(Holy Ponds): River Cauvery and Sooria Pushkarini

Names of the well-known devotees of Lord Sun who benefitted out of their worship at Sooriyanarkoil: King Parikshit, Sithrangan, Lord Indhira, Doomakedu,

King Nalan, (The Sun Temple at Sooriyanarkoil was constructed with rocks first by King Kulothunga Chola during 2nd century CE)

The village is named after the Sun Temple as Sooriyanarkoil. The Temple is constructed exclusively for Lord Sun. Other planets (grahas) shares the temple on their own inside the Temple.

When Lord Brahma cursed all Navagragas, it has been believed that they all redeemed out of their curse to salvation after their worship of Lord Vinayaha in this Temple. Lord Sun Himself considered as the Prime Most of all (Aadhi anavar) here in the Temple.

The Navagrahas in the Temple do not have weapon with them. Our worship once in life time of Lord Sun in the temple at Sooriyanarkoil goes as a remedy to overcome the sin of our past and leads/guides us to live with peace and happiness in this birth.

Other Temples to worship Lord Sun

1. Marthandar Temple was constructed in the 8th century CE, Kashmeer.
2. Yehanar Sun Temple, Odisha.
3. The Wheel of Lord Sun is found at Mahabalipuram, Chennai
4. 108 Shivalayam, Papanasam (Thanjavur Dt) (Devotees get benefit and blessings through their worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Sun in the above mentioned Temples)
5. Padhmabeedam, Gangaikondacholapuram, Perambaloor District.
6. Thirukkadaiyur, comes in between the way from Thanjavur and Thiruvaiaru in 8 kilometer distance
7. Thiruppurava Panangatoor (now called as Panayapuram) some 80 kilometer from Viluppuram in the North by train and 4 kilometers from Pakkam.

Sthala Virutcham (The Monumental Tree): Palm Tree

During the Tamil Month, Sithirai from the dates between one and seven, the Sun race falls directly on the Lord Sun and the Goddess in the temple at Sooriyanarkoil. It is very special in the temple. Devotees use to worship Lord Sun for His blessings to lead a peaceful and prosperous life at this auspicious occasion in the Temple.

Since our ancient time, people have been worshiping Lord Sun to get knowledge and power. There is no movement on Earth in the absence of Sun. Hence, the worship of Lord Sun is considered as Supreme among all in the world.

1. Aadhisangarar worshiped Lord Sun as the fifth Deity of his choice.
2. Lord Sun is always considered as SooriaNarayana (God of Preservation) who preserves the people of the world with the name Sriman Narayana. In the holy

scripture, The Ramayana.

Once Rama finds difficulty to beat Ravana. Sage Agathiyar teaches the Aadhithya Hiruthya Manthra to Rama in the battle field. So, Rama gets Lord Sun’s blessings and a chariot to use during his fight against Ravana. As a result of his worship, Rama wins the battle against Ravana with the immense blessings of Lord Sun.

Temple Festivals at Sooriyanarkoil

1. Last Tuesday in the Month of Aadi (Tamil Month)
2. First Sunday in the Month of Avani
3. Navarathri in the Month of Purattasi
4. All Sundays in the Month of Karthihai
5. Auspicious day of the Temple is Monday
6. Ashtami Theerthavari in the Month of Thai
7. Navarathri in Masi Month
8. Navagraha Sandhana Kappu
9. Gurupeyarchi (Jupiter Transit)
10. Sanipeyarchi (Saturn Transit)

Valarpiraisapthami pooja in the month of Masi is very special in the Temple. The tamil scripture, Pattinappalai says that the Lord Sun uses to appear in the chariot of seven green horses.

Other Alternate Names of Lord Sun: Kadhiravan, Aadhavan, Kathiri, Selvan Kaladevan, etc., and thousand other names to mean Lord Sun.

Benefits of the Lord Sun’s Worship

1. Sooria Dhosha Nivarthi
2. Sahala Karia Sithi and Loha Akrashanam