Speciality Gods in and around Kumbakonam

NAVA GRAHA TEMPLES DHARSHAN – AROUND KUMBAKONAM

According to the Hindu Philosophy every human being born is influenced by the vibrations of nine planets (Nava Grahas). It is believed that all good and bad things are due to the effects of these nine planets. Each planet has its own vibration and has a separate place in each of their temples. When we visit these temples, we are saved from bad things or incidents, by the blessings of these planets. Hence, worshipping the Nava Grahas is considered to be sacred and essential too.

1. Sun God - Suryanar Koil:

The main deity here is Vishwanadhar with his consort Visalakshi, but importance is given to Sun God with his consort Usha and Chaya Devi. Just like the Solar system, all the planetary deities surround the Sun God in separate structures. The great saint Thirugnanasambandar sang the praise of lord Shiva in this temple.

2. Moon God - Thingalloor:

This is the only place, where pooja is offered to the Moon God. This is where Appudhi Adigal, a great devotee of Thirunavukkarasar, one among 3 saints (Appar, Sundarar, and Manickavasagar), was born. Saint Thirunavukkarasu performed the miracle of bringing back Appudhi Adigal’s son’s life after he died of snake bite. To this day it is believed that no poisonous snake or insect exist in Thingalloor.

3. Mars-Sevvai-Vaitheeswarankoil:

He is said to be the doctor who cures ills of human beings fondly referred to as Vaidyanadha Swami. His consort is Theyyal Nayagi, who is believed to carry Oils, Sanjeevi Herbs and the sand from under the Vilva tree, as a cure for all kinds of illness. The special pooja performed at the sanctum sanctorum of Muthukumaraswami is a speciality. One can have the darshan of the idol of lord Dhanvantri. The Prasad am at this temple is tiny balls of Vibhuti and Sandal Paste. There is a special shrine of planet Mars for curing illnesses.

4. Mercury- Budhan - Thiruvengadu:

There are 3 deities of Shiva in this temple referred to as Thiruveyngadar, Agoramoorthy and

Natarajar with the consort as Vidyambigai. She is supposed to have taught Brahma all

knowledge. Planet Mercury is considered as the lord of all knowledge. People offer parrot

green color cloth to the deity with special pooja at the crack of dawn.

5. Jupiter- Vyazhan- Raja Guru- Thenkudithittai:

Jupiter is also known as “Jove”, the supreme deity of the Romans. The main deity in this

temple is Vasishteshwarar with his consort Ulaganayagi Ammai. The speciality of this temple

is the shrine for Rajaguru between the two deities. Of all the Guru temples, this is the only

place, where he is called Brahaspati. The lord manifested here as Lingam. Right on top of the

Lingam, there is a moon stone that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere during nights and

condenses it into water and drops it every 25 minutes on the Shiva Lingam, which is a divine

speciality.

Jupiter – Guru – Alangudi:

The main deity here is Apatsahayar, Elavar Kuzhali Amman, believed to be a friend of

humanity during times of distress. This is another abode of the Guru Bhagawan – the Jupiter

Planet. The great saint poet Thirugnanasambandar sang Thevara Thiruppadhigam.

6. Venus – Sukran- Kanjanoor, Karpagamba Samedha Agneeswarar Temple:

The lord manifests here as the Venus planet. The great sage Appar sang in praise of the deity.

The lord worshipped Agni (fire) in this temple and hence the name Agneeswarar.

7. Saturn – Sani – Thirunallaru:

The deity here is Dharbaranyeshwarar with his consort Pranambigai. The planet Saturn is set

to have followed King Nala for seven and a half years giving him troubles. But Saturn could

not enter this temple and hence stood outside. Lord Sani had promised that he would not touch

any one who was a devotee of Lord Dharbaranyeshwarar. King Nala attained atonement from

all his troubles here. There is a separate shrine here for Lord Sani.

8. Rahu- Thirunageswaram:

The lord manifests here as Naganathan with his consort Girigujambigai. It is believed, when

Abishekam with milk is performed on the deity, it turns blue denoting the atonement of all

sins. People wait in long queues to perform Rahu Kala Pooja here. The three most venomous

snakes called Adiseshan, Dakshakan and Karkodagan are said to be devotees of this deity. The

deity of Girigujambigai with Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswathi on either side of her is a

speciality. Also the deity Pirai Ani Nudhalal shrine is very famous because the moon light

falls on her forehead in the month of Karthigai on the night of full moon (Thirukarthigai) day.

She is called so because of this.

9. Kedhu – Keezhperumpallam:

The deity in this temple is Arulmigu Naganadhar. This is the shrine for Lord Kedhu. This is

the shrine, where the serpent Vasuki regretted that the lord had to drink the poison that it had

sucked.