Thingalur temple is dedicated to Moon (Chandra). Thingalur is on the way from
Thiruvaiyaru to Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District of Tamilnadu State, India. It
is around 25 Kms away from Thanjavur in the North direction. Thingalur means
land (Oor) of Moon (Thingal). Thingalur is the sthalam for Chandran. Thingal in
Tamil means Chandran and hence the name Thingalur. The presiding deity is
Kailasanathar and his consort is Periyanayakiamman.
When Lord Vishnu was distributing the Amrutham amongst the devas, at the behest
of Sukracharya, one of the asuras in the guise of a deva consumed the nectar.
Suryan and Chandran noticed this and complained to Lord Vishnu. An angry
Vishnu used his chakrayudham (discus) to cut the asura into two and threw them
away. The head joined with a snake’s body to become Rahu Bhagavan. The body
portion kept growing because the asura had consumed Amrutham. This later
joined with the head of a snake and became Kethu Bhagavan. Now, Rahu and
Kethu did not forgive Suryan and Chandran. Rahu went after Chandran and
started consuming him. It is here that Chandran prayed to Lord Siva and
got his blessings. Shiva blessed Chandran with the power to grow back to full
size in 15 days after being consumed by Rahu. That is why we have the
waxing and waning moon. Shiva also blessed Chandran by adorning Chandran
on his forehead so that anyone who prays Shiva will have to pray Chandran.
There is also another interesting story pertaining to the
waxing and waning periods of Chandran, which goes thus. King Dakshan gave
all his 27 daughters in marriage to Chandran. Those 27 wives of Chandran
are the 27 stars in Tamil Calendar. As Chandran’s favourite was Rohini and he
spent most of his time with her, the others complained about this to their
father. King Dakshan asked Chandran to treat all of them equally, which
Chandran refused. An angry Dakshan, cursed Chandran that all his beauty
and brightness will disappear slowly everyday. A worried Chandran, on the
advice of Lord Brahma, then performed penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva
appeared before him and adorned his forehead with the crescent-shaped Chandran.
Shiva then came to be known as Chandrasekaran also. He blessed Chandran
to regain his beauty and brightness slowly day by day. This waxing period
of the moon is called Sukla Paksham or Valarpirai. Chandran gets back all
his beauty and attains full brightness on Full moon day or pournami. From
Pournami to the full moon day he again starts loosing his beauty and brightness
till the New moon day or Ammavasai. This waning period of the moon is
called Krishna Paksham or Theipirai.
There is another legend of Apputhi Adigal, an ardent follower of
Thirunavukkarasar. Apputhi Adigal was born in Thingalur. He indulged in
lot of charity and social work in his village, all in the name of
Thirunavukkarasar, whom he had not even seen. Thirunavukkarasar heard about
Apputhi Adigal and visited the village. Thirunavukkarasar accepted the
invitation of Apputhi Adigal to have lunch at his place. Apputhi Adigal’s son
died when he had gone to fetch a plantain leaf. Apputhi Adigal, going by the
saying “Athithi devo bhava” put his personal sorrow behind and served food to
his mentor. Thirunavukkarasar came to know about the young boy’s death
and carried the corpse to Kailasanathar temple in Thingalur. Here he
implored to Lord Shiva and brought him back to life.
Pooja
Chandra Dosham causes concern in mother’s health, mental imbalance, skin and
nervous disorder & jaundice. Chandran blesses his devotees who pray
here with wealth, mother’s well being, wife’s happiness, prosperity, marriage
and offspring. Mondays are special days for Chandran. Offering of
raw rice pudding mixed with jaggery, white flowers (White Arali) and white
clothing are made to Chandran here.
Recite the following mantras facing North West
Chandra Moola Mantram: Aum sram srim sraum sah chandraya namah.
Chandra Gayatri: om nisakaraya vidmahae kala nadhaya dheemahi tanno chandra:
prachodayaath
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