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Agneeswarar Temple, Kanjanur, Tamil Nadu
Locality/village : Kanjanur
State : Tamil Nadu
Country : India
Nearest City/Town : Kumbakonam
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Tamil& English
Temple Timings :Temple is opened from 6 AM to 12.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.
Photography : Not Allowed
Agneeswarar Temple, Kanjanur
Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanoor or Agniswara Swami Temple at Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu and is associated with Lord Sukran (Planet Venus), the sixth of Navagraha planets. Also known as Sukran Navagraha Sthalam, Agniswarar temple is located around 18 km from Kumbakonam and 2 km to the east from Sooriyanayanar Kovil, on the Kallanai – Poompuhar road, in Tamilnadu.
Lord Shiva and Parvati in Kanjanur are worshipped as Agneeswarar and Karpagavalli Amman. Lord Shiva Himself is worshipped as Sukran and therefore the absence of a separate shrine for the Navagraha, Sukra. Unlike other Navagraha temples, the main deity, Agneeswarar in the form of lingam depicts Lord Sukra. A special feature of the Linga of Agneeeswarar is that it absorbs all the oil poured on it during the process of Abishekam.
Agneeswarar temple is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Bhrammapuri and Agnistalam. Kanjanur is considered to be the 36th in the series of the Tevara Stalams located in Chola Nadu north of the river Kaveri.
Agneeswarar temple was built by the Medieval Cholas and renovated by the kings of the Vijayanagar Empire. It has a 5-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakarams (closed precincts of a temple).
Stone pictures of Natarajar and Sivakami are seen during this temple within the Nataraja Sabai remarked because the Mukthi Mandapam. The Shiva Thandavam here is remarked as Mukthi Thandavam. Legend has it that Shiva blessed Paraasara muni with a vision of the cosmic dance – Mukti thandavam here. Appar is alleged to own visited Kanjanur on his thanks to Tirukkodikka from Edirkolpaadi.
Stone images of Natarajan and Sivakami are seen in this temple in the Nataraja Sabha referred to as the Mukti Mandapam. The stone idol of Natarajar at the Agneeswarar temple ia a rare piece of architecture. There is a separate shrine for Sukran (Venus). There are also shrines to Maanakkanjaarar Nayanmaar and Kalikkaamar here.
Haradatta Sivacharayar, originally a Vaishnava by the name of Sudarshana underwent nice ordeals to prove his devotion towards Shiva to his fellow Vaishnavites here. There are varieties of pictures within the temple Pragaram relating his story and therefore the ordeals he underwent.
Lord Dakshinamurthy (Guru) is always seen with a demon being crushed under his feet. The demon signifies ignorance. It means that Dakshinamurthy leads us from ignorance to the knowledge of self. Instead of this standard practice,we can find the image of Haradatta worshipping Dakshinamurthy, which is a unique feature of this temple.
The sacred water bodies in the temple are called ‘Agni theertham’ and ‘Parasara theertham’. The sacred tree in the temple is called ‘Palasa Maram’. One of the important features of the temple is that the Vilva leaf (Bilwa Leaf) seen here is 5 in number, which is quite unique.
During the Vamana Avatharam, when Lord Vishnu took the form of a small boy and asked Bali for 3 steps of land, Asura Guru Sukracharya had doubts about the boy. When Bali denied to attentive his advice, he took the form of a bee and hid in the mouth of the Kamandalam from which Bali would pour water to donate the three steps of land, having had his wish, Vamana took his huge form of Avatharam and measured out the land and the sky, and as the 3rd step, placed his foot on Bali, blessing him.
Sukracharya however was angry with Vishnu, and cursed him. It is believed that Vishnu prayed to Shiva at Kanjanur, where he was relieved of the curse. Shiva not only blessed Vishnu here, he promised to remain and bless those who came with prayers to Sukran, Unlike the other Navagraha temples in this area, there is no idol or image of Sukran at Kanjanur. It is Shiva himself who takes the position of Sukran here.
At Kanjanur, Shiva is called Agneeswarar, for Agni (the Fire god) is said to have prayed to him at this place, and the goddess is called Karpagambal. The lord is believed to have blessed Brahma with a vision of his marriage to Parvati at this shrine
Temple is opened from 6 AM to 12.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.
All the important festivals of Lord Shiva is celebrated in Agneeswarar temple. The festival in association with Haradatta Sivacharya is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January-Feburary). Besides, Mahasivaratri, Aadi Pooram, Navaratri, and Arudra Darisanam are also celebrated with much importance.
There are six worships that are offered to the Lord in Kanjanur. Lord Sukra is generally worshipped with white lotus, white cloth, diamond, ‘mochai’ powder and athi to ward off evil effects owing to the malefic planetary effects.
Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity
The presiding deity is Shukra (venus). However, the main deity in the temple is that of “Agneeswarar” Lord Shiva. In concordance with the Saivite belief that Shiva is all-pervading, Shukra is believed to be located within the stomach of the idol of Shiva.
Shukra is the teacher of the demons and the author of Sukraniti. He is generally shown with four hands, riding upon a golden or a silver chariot drawn by eight horses. Three of his hands hold a staff, a rosary, a vessel of gold respectively while the fourth one is held in varada mudra.
Shukra, the next most beneficial planet after Guru (Brihaspati), bestows his devotees with wealth and prosperity. If in a person’s horoscope, Shukra is well placed, then the person enjoys better life and wealth.
An unfavorably positioned Shukra in ones horoscope causes eye ailments, indigestion, and impotency, loss of appetite and skin problems. Lord Shukra is offered white Lotus, white cloth, mochai kottai (common bean) and aththi (fig) to alleviate problems caused by Shukra dosham. Friday is the day of Shukra and worship on Fridays is considered very special. Shukra is also Ambal’s favourite and the special day for Ambal is Friday as well.
By Road
Kanjanur is 18 km from Kumbakonam and 26 km from Mayiladudurai. It is just 3 km from Suryanar Kovil and 5 km from Adudurai.
By Rail
Mayiladuthurai Railway station happens to be the nearest railway route.
