Indan temples

Indian temples
Showing posts with label Navagraha Suryanar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Navagraha Suryanar. Show all posts

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Tamilnad temples - Navagraha Suryanar - Sun temple at Thirumangalakudi

Suryanar  - Sun temple 
 As per the astrology the sun placed in favorable position in the horoscope gives intelligence, perception, strength and character, endurance, stamina, vitality, positive spirit, courage, confidence and leadership. If the placing is not correct then the result will be dullness of intellect and perception, weak will and character, eyes and head  troubles. The Surya's worship benefits us by giving strength, health, good eyesight, intelligence, relief from skin ailments and longevity of life.The worship include among other things abhishek (sacred bathing) by cool water, offerings of wheat and archana with lotus of red color to please the lord Suryanarayan. Those of the devotees who are unable to go to the other Navagraha temples or the problems from other planets may offer the necessary worship or parihara pooja to the respective planets in their respective shrines in this temple. The best way is to go to the temples dedicated to the respective planets which are withing 50 km from here. Preferable days to worship here is Sundays. Reciting Surya mantras, Surya gaythri etc are good.


First worship Prananatheswarar and Mangalambigai at Thirumangalakudi

Before worshiping at the Suryanar temple the devotees have to go to worship Prananatheswarar and Mangalambigai at Thirumangalakudi. Long back the place where this temple situated was a forest of Vellerukku (white Calotropis gigantea of the Asclepiadaceae plant family). Now there is no forest but still the Erukku plants are there. The Suryanar temple is situated in the same village at a distance of about one km. After offering worship at the Prananatheswarar and Mangalambigai at Thirumangalakudi the devotees are to proceed to the Suryanar koil (temple).

 Procedures of worship at the Suryanar temple

Before worshiping at the main deity other procedures are to be followed.  In the Suryanar koil (temple) first we worship lord Ganapathi in his shrine. Here the Lord Ganapathi (Ganesha) is known as the Kol Vinai theertha vinayakar. Vinai theertha means one who removed the sins. It is the legend that the Navagrahas gave relief to a muni who had sinned and the Lord Brahma cursed him to be afflicted with disease. When the Navagrahas cured the muni suffering from the curse of Brahma, Brahma got angry and cursed in turn the Navagrahas to contract the disease cured by them in the muni. The muni now was upset as also the Navagrahas, as for his sake the Navagrahs had to suffer. He along with the Navagrahas prayed to Brahma for relief to him and the Navagrahas. Brahma advised them to go to Vellerukkakadu (Velle means white, erukku means Calotropis gigantea of the Asclepiadaceae plant family and kadu means forest - forst of white calotropis giganta plants) at Thirumangalakudi village and worship the lord Prananatheswarar and his consort Mangalambigai for release from the curse and cure. Accordingly they went to Thirumangalakudi and worshipped there. After this they went to a place little away from here and installed an idol of Lord Ganapthi and offered penance to please him. Lord Ganapthi (Ganesh) was pleased with them and they got the papa vimochan (release from the effect of curse - salvation). The muni as a mark of gratitude to the Navagrahas who suffered for his sake built a temple in this place where they had done the penance. Since worshiping to the lord Ganapathi gave them release from the sin - curse the lord was named as Kol Vinai Theertha Vinayakar.

After offering worship at this Vinayagar shrine, we go to the narthana (dance) mantapa (hall) and worship the Natarajar there. From here proceed to the sanctum of the main shine of Suryanar. There on the left to the entrance, offer worship to the idols of deities of Kasi Viswanathar (in lingam form) and Visalakshi. Proceed from here to the Deity of Suryanar (sun god) offer worship and after that offer worship to Guru bhagavan (Bruhaspathi) whose idol is facing the Sun deity. After this come out and go to the shrines of other Navagrahas in anti clock direction and worship Saneeswaran (Saturn), Budhan (Mercury), Angarakan (Mars), Chandra (Moon), Kethu, Sukran (Jupiter) and Rahu. From there proceed in clockwise direction and return to the Kol Vinai Theertha Vinayagar. There are sign broads placed to guide the devotees correctly. These are to be carefully observed and followed. 

The sthala vriskham (holy tree of the temple) is Vellai Erukku (white mandar - Calotropis gigantea). It is considered that idol of Pillayar (Ganesha, Vinayaga) made out of Vellerukku is very auspicious. Such idols are sold in shops here. The only problems is there are also duplicate idols painted like vellerukku idols.