Skip to main content

AGNISHWARAR TEMPLE - SUKRAN - KANJANUR

 Agniswarar Temple, Kanjanur – Sukran ( Venus)




The Agniswarar Temple is a Shiva temple in the village of Kanjanur, 18 kilometres north-east of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is Sukra (Venus). The main idol in the temple is that of "Agniswarar" or shiva lingam. In concordance with the Saivite belief that Shiva is all-pervading, Sukra is believed to be located within the stomach of the idol of Shiva. The lingam is also a Bramha lingam as Lord bramha himself has prayed to Lord shiva here. There is no separate shrine for Sukran. The name Agniswarar is derived from the lore that Lord agni prayed to lord shiva here.
The temple was built by the Medieval Cholas and renovated by the kings of the Vijayanagara empire Kings. The temple has a 5-tier Rajagopuram surrounded by two Praharams (closed precincts of a temple). Legend is that Siva blessed Parasara muni(sage) here with cosmic dance. It is believed that Shiva appeared in the form of Sukra to propitiate himself off the dosha of Sukran.
During vamana Avathar, lord vishnu took the form of a small brahmin boy and asked Bali for three paces of land. Bali’s Guru Sukracharya had a premonition that the boy was Vishnu and asked him to deny the boon. The virtuous king Bali against his Guru’s advice, wanted to grant the wish of the Lord. Sukracharya took the form of a bee and hid in the mouth of the Kamandalu for preventing the water to flow for Bali to donate the three paces of land. When water did not flow from the kamandalam, Vishnu pricked Sukracharya with a Darbha grass, who lost his eye, and had to come out in pain. His wish fulfilled, Vamana took his huge form(Vishwaroopam) and measured out the Earth and the Sky, and as the 3rd step, placed his foot on Bali’s Head ,blessing him.
Sukracharya however was angry with Vishnu, and cursed him. It is belived 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.
Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha sthalas located in the Cauvery Delta region dedicated to planet Venus, called Sukra. Unlike other Navagraha temples, the main deity, Agniswarar in the form of lingam depicts Lord Sukra.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE PART 1 - TARAMANGALAM

SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE- TARAMANGALAM - SALEM DISTRICT - TAMILNADU.- PART 1 Seven tiered Rajagopuram Shaped like a chariot. Mahavishnu gave his sister Parvathi in marriage to Shiva. This process of handing over the bride, is known as "Thaaram vaththu koduppadhu" in Tamil, hence the name of the town THARAI MANGALAM now known as Tharamangalam. MAHAVISHNU giving his sister MEENAKSHI in marriage to SHIVA. In the centre of this Town is an exotic Temple of Lord Shiva as Shri Kailasanathar with his consort Sivakami Devi. One of the rarest of temples with a treasure of exotic Sculpture and the many stories attached with them. ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL U NKNOWN TEMPLES IN TAMILNADU. The first precinct on entering from the Rajagopuram. The temple had an existence before the 10th Century CE. However the same was rebuilt by the Getti Muthaliar Clan who ruled the Kongu Part of Tamilnadu from the 13th to the 17th century. The temple seems to have b...
Post a Comment
Read more

KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE PART 2 - SHIVA - THE SUNDARA - TARAMANGALAM

SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE - TARAMANGALAM - SALEM DISTRICT - TAMILNADU - PART 2. MADANIKA at the entrance  In the Kailasanathar Temple,there are 3 precincts in this temple, the open outer precinct and the inner precinct in the form of the Mukhamandapam, leading to the Garbhagriha.At the left of the entrance to the Mukhamandapam a Mummudi or 3 Vinayaka statues are at the left side of entrance. In to the Mukhamandapam you come to a treasure of Art Gallore. Lord Shiva as Kailasanatha, Sits in the form of a Small Lingam Facing West with the Avudayar or Pindika to the right of the lord in the Garbha Griha post an Ardhamandapam. Opposite facing the Lord, a little towards his right Side is his consort Goddess Parvathi standing in the form of Sivagami Devi. Towards the left opposite of the lord, is the sanctum of Karthikeya with Six faces. All these three sanctums including that of the lord is in a Trikona (Triangle) shape. On circumambulation, the oute...
Post a Comment
Read more

KAVISWARAR TEMPLE - SHIVA - LORD OF THE CAVE - KRISHNAGIRI

KAVISWARAR TEMPLE - KRISHNAGIRI TOWN -TAMILNADU Kavishwarar - Shiva of the Cave. In Tamilnadu's Krishnagiri town, in the Old Peta area, under the Krishnagiri Fort is the temple of Lord Shiva as Kaviswa rar( God of the cave). Kavi = Cave & Ishwar = God . Krishnagiri Fort in the background. Mahadev is in the form of a lingam of about 4 ft. The Avudayar or Pindika is square in nature. The lord is facing east and his Consort Parvathi is known as Girijambal is in a sanctum next to him on his left hand side facing east. Earlier known as Chandrasekharan & Paravatavardhini. Devi Parvathi as Parvathavarthini Mahadev as Kavishwarar It is a cave temple and has a Mukhamandapam of 12X15 ft.The Mukhamandapam   to the Garbhagriha of the Lord sitting majestically along with his consort to his left facing east. The temple seems to have been renovated very lately. The real Mandapam would have been in the shape of a cave only. Latest renovat...
Post a Comment
Read more