SURYANAR TEMPLE - SURIYAN (SUN) - SURIYANAAR KOIL

Suryanar Kovil -  Suriyan (Sun)

 

Suryanar Kovil (also called Suryanar Temple) is a temple dedicated to the deity Surya Sun-God, located in Suryanar Kovil village near the Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is Suriyanar, the Sun and his consorts Ushadevi and Pratyusha Devi. The temple also has separate shrines for the other eight planetary deities The temple is the only temple in Tamil Nadu which has shrines for all the planetary deities.

The present masonry structure was built during the reign of Kullothunga Chola (AD 1060-1118) in the 11th century with later additions from the Vijaynagara Period. The temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram, the gateway tower and a granite wall enclosing all the shrines of the temple.

As per Hindu legend, Sage Kalava was suffering from serious ailments along with leprosy. He prayed to the Navagrahas, the nine planet deities. The planets were pleased by his devotion and offered cure to the sage. Bramha, the god of creation, was angered as he felt that the planets have no powers to provide boons to humans. He cursed the nine planets to suffer from leprosy and were sent down to earth in Vellurukku Vanam, the white wild flower jungle. The planets prayed to Shiva to relieve them off the curse. Shiva appeared to them and said that the place belonged to them and they would have to grace the devotees worshipping them from the place. This is the only temple where there are separate shrines for each of the planet deities.

It is stated in one of the inscriptions found in the temple that it was built in the reign of Kulottunga Chola (AD 1060-1118). The current granite shrine is believed to have been built by the Vijayanagara Kings.

The central shrine is of Surya, the Sun God, is built on an elevated structure. The central shrine houses the image of Surya and his consorts Usha and Chhaya. The hall leading to the central shrine has images of Vishwanathar, Visalakshi, Nataraja, Sivakami, Vinayagar and Murugan. There are separate shrines for all the other eight planet deities namely Guru (Jupiter), Budhan (Mercury), Shani (Saturn), Sukran (Venus), Soma (Moon), Angaragan (Mercury), Rahu and Ketu. All the other eight shrines of the Navagrahas are arranged facing the shrine of Suryanar. Guru is depicted performing pooja to Shiva.