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 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.
