About Sukran Bagavan Temple

Sage Bhrigu was the mind-born son of lord Brahma. Sukran was the son of sage Bhrigu and Pulomisai. He went to Kasi and constructed a Linga for worship, and prayed for long time and learnt Amirtha Sanjeevini Manthra from lord Siva with which he revived the dead. Asuras honoured him by accepting Sukran as their guru; Lord Siva, who was pleased, also made Sukran as one among nine Grahas, the sixth of the nine planets. He shines in the eastern side. He is many time brighter than Budhan, and has growth and decay in his phases, like the Moon.

The colour of Sukran is silver like. He sits in a pentagonal posture. He is mounted upon a falcon, on his hands is a white lotus. Sukran has also crocodile as his mount. His chariot is driven by ten horses. He was blessed with luminosity by lord Siva himself. He destroyed the kingdom of Thandan and gave life to Kasan. He removed the grief of Bhagirathan; made the Asuras victorious. His consort is Subhakirthi. Sukran has four arms. He is called Bhagavan and Sukrachariyar.

The Propitiation of Sukran Dosha

The period of Sukran’s influence is for2 years. He is the lord of Rishabam and Thulaam(Libra). Sukra is an auspicious graha. Lack of harmony in married life, disease due to cold, are overcome by worship of Rajarajeshwari and Gajalakshmi. Giving a white dress, silver and Bengal grams as gift, the wearing of diamonds and recital of Devi Mahatmiyam are equally effective.

Kanjanur

Uniqueness of the shrine

Sundarsanar was the child of Vasudevar, a vaishnavite of Kanjanur. The child longed to have sacred ashes on his forehead. This was denied by the orthodox Vainavites of the village. To convince them to the truth, the child sat on the red hot chair and showed them that the lord was one. Dakshinamurthy showed grace upon the child who became Haradatta and then recited the holy names of Lord Siva. Kanjanur is also a birth place of ManaKanjaranayanar. It is at Kanjanur that Lord Siva played Kalikamanayanar gave Parasarar the vision of Lord Siva’s Dance.

The History of Kanjanur

The temple is on road with houses in both side on it. The tower of the temple is five-tiered. It is an ancient temple. Lord Vinayaka is at the left of the hall. The sanctum of divine mother is to the right. One passes Vinayaka, Lord Subramaniyan on his peacock and Mahalakshmi’s shrines and reaches the inner sanctum or lord Agniswarar. Lord Agniswarar showers his grace under the holy tree of his shrine. There is no sanctum for Sukran. The lord Agniswarar is himself to be prayed as Sukra. It is similar to the worship of Soma Sundarar at Madurai as Budha and Lord Siva at Kalahasti as Raghu and Kethu.

In the temple, there also the idols of Manakkamcharar, Kalikamar and Surakkaipathar with his wife, staunch devotees of Lord Siva. History has it Lord Siva took fruits from the latter. There also subsidiary shrines for Bhairavar, Suriyan, Sani and Chandran. In the hall of Nataraja, Lord Siva has mother Uma embodied in his own self. This unique sculpture found at Kanjanur. It is this deity who gave the vision of the dance of enlightenment to sage Parasurar.

As one circumambulates this shrine, one sees that Kanjanur is a twin temple. Mother Uma dressed with bridal vests in her shrine,which faces east. The vision of the holy mother of universe in this shrine is one of an unsurpassed beauty.

There is a tale associated with Nandhi at the foot of the temple’s flag pole. A Brahmin threw a bundle of grass on a cow which expired. The Brahmin’s of the village were against him and expelled him from the temple. He fearfully confessed his error to Harasatta, who told the Brahmin to offer a clump of grass to the stone Nandhi. Nandhi took the grass offered to it. Then the Brahmin went to the temple and was accepted by the community. Since it was stone Nandhi which ate the grass, the tongue is not out of the mouth in the Nandhi of this temple. This is an unique feature to be found only in the temple of Kanjanur.

Location :One travels on the road from Pandanallur to Kumbakonam and turns left after one has passed Kadiramangalam. Kanjanur is reached after passing Thirukodikavalen route. There is also bus service to this ancient shrine from Thiruvavadurai.

Reigning Deity : Agniswarar with his consort Karpagambigai.

Gem Stone : Red

Other Grahas : Guru faces Suriyan, Saniswarar at Southwest. Budhan is to the East, Chevvai is at South east. There is a sanctum for Chandran. Kethu is to the north east, Sukra at north and Raghu is to the Northwest.

Holy Water :Agni Theertham, Parasaratheertham.

Holy Tree : Palasa tree.

Devotees :Parasarar Lord Brahma, Agni, Chandran, Kalikkamar, ManakkanjaraNayanar, HarathathaSivachariyar.

Saint who has sung hymn : Appar

Festivities :Masimagam Haradatta day.

Hymn

Preceptor of Sukran, Vanan and Ausras
Progency of poet, lord of the clouds, giver of the gold, praised by celestials
Bhagavan who gives life to the dead Sukrachari
I praise your floral feet.