Agneeswarar Temple - Kanjanoor

Agneeswara Swami Temple at Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu.This temple is also known as known as Sukran Navagraha Sthalam.This shrine is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Bhrammapuri,

Agnistalam and Neelakudi.The temple is revered by the verses of Appar and hence referred as Padal petra stalam.

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History : 

The temple was built by the Medieval Cholas and renovated by the kings of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Legends : 

Legend is that Siva blessed Parasara muni (sage) here with cosmic dance - Mukti tandavam here.

Temple : 

Agniswara Swami Temple is built with two prakarams. A five tiered Rajagopuram is seen at its entrance.The Nataraja Sabha is referred to as the Mukti Mandapam and the Shiva Tandavam here is called as Mukti Tandavam.

Images that describe the legends relating to Haradatta Sivacharyar of Vaishnava origins , inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagar periods,and stone images of Natarajar and Sivakami are seen in this temple.

Dieties :

The presiding deities of Agniswara Swami Temple is Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.Lord Shiva is worshiped here as Agneeswarar , as it is said that Lord Agni (Fire God) have worshipped Lord Shiva here.Goddess Parvati is worshipped here as Karpagambal.

Other deities worshipped here are Maanakkanjaarar, Nayanmaar and Kalikkaamar.

There is no separate sannidhi for Lord Sukra as Lord Shiva himself is believed to have incarnated as Venus here.

It is said that Lord Brahma was blessed with a vision of Shiva's marriage with Parvathi here. The Braham Linga enshrined in the Agniswarar Temple is said to have worshipped by Lord Brahma.

Worship : 

Six worship services are offered daily. Fridays are considered

auspicious to pray Lord Sukra. Sukran, the next most beneficial

planet after Guru (Brihaspati), bestows his devotees with wealth

and prosperity. If in a person's horoscope, Sukra is well placed, then

the person enjoys better life and wealth. Lord Sukran is offered with

white Lotus, white cloth, diamond, 'mochai' powder and athi to

remove any obstacles in life and work caused by a misplaced Sukra

(Sukira Dhosham) in a person’s horoscope.

An important feature is that the Oil Abishekam performed to

the main Siva linga is fully absorbed by the idol.Another feature of this temple is that the Vilva leaf (Bilwa Leaf) seen here is 5 in number, which is quite unique.

Festivals :

A festival to honor Haradatta Sivacharyar is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai every year. Besides, Mahasivaratri, Aadi Pooram,Navaratri, and 

Arudra Darisanam are also celebrated with much importance.

Temple Timings : 

6 AM to 12.00 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.

How to reach this Temple : 

This temple is located around 18 km from Kumbakonam 20 km from Mayiladuthurai.Bus facilities are available from Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai.

Aduthurai Railway Station is the nearest railway station.