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History:
Suryanaar Koyil was built by the Chola kings.
Inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga Chola I (1075-1120) refer to this
temple as the Kulottunga Chola Martanda Alayam. Kulottunga Chola is said to
have had a good relationship with the Gahadwal dynasty of Kanauj (1090 - 1194),
whose rulers were Sun worshippers, and hence Suryanar Koyil, is considered to
be an expression of their influence in South India. Inscriptions from the
period of Krishna Deva Raya, speaking of endowments made to this temple are
also seen here.
About Sun - Planet of the self, will, energy and power:
When the world came into existence, the first sound
that reverbrated was 'Om'. Suryan was born from this 'Omkara naadham'. Sree
Markandeya Puranam has explained this factor. Suryan was the son of
Sage Kashyap and was the grandson of Sage Maarisi. Surya married Soorvarsala,
the daughter of Viswakarma. Vaivasvatha Manu and Yamadharmarajan were his sons
and Yamuna, his daughter.
The name of the god is ‘Saptha Saptham’ which has the
horse as its vehicle, which goes by the name 'Saptha’, meaning seven in
Sanskrit. Lord Surya, who is the chief of the grahas, appears with a lotus in
his divine hands. The one-wheeled chariot is drawn by seven horses. It is drawn
by seven horses in seven colours.
The one-wheeled chariot is drawn by seven horses. It is drawn by seven horses
in seven colours.
Surya Bhagawan blesses his devotees with good health, fame and efficient
management.
About Temple:
This temple is close to Aduthurai and 15 km from
Kumbakonam and also a Kali Amman Temple that should be visited.
The temples occupies an area of about 1.25 acres. The
tower of the temple is 15.5 metre in height and consists of three tiers. At the
top of the tower are five domes.
To the north of the rajagopuram lies the sacred bathing
ghat, called Surya Pushkarni. It is
important to bathe in this ghat before offering worship at the temple. If not,
one should at least sprinkle its water on one's head.
The Suryanar temple faces west The presiding deity here
is Suryanarayana in a chariot like vimaanam, representing the sun's chariot.
There are also shrines to Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Brihaspati (Guru) in
the sanctum.
The tank of the temple is called Suryatheertham or Surya pushkarani.
There are shrines to Surya, Gurumoksheswarar,
Somanathar, Saptarishi nathar,Someswarar, Vishnunathar and Bhrameesar, Kaasi
Viswanathar and Visalakshi.
After Surya Baghawan one should go to Sabanayakar
Mandapam and offer prayers to Lord Nataraja, the Navagraha, and at Sthabana
Mandapam worship Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi Ammai.
Features:
All the grahas face Surya Bhagawan in this temple. As
soon as one enters the temple, there is a sacrificial platform (bali peetam).
To its east lies a mandap where one can see an idol of a horse. Surya Baghawan
is positioned, accompanied on both sides by his consorts Usha and Chayadevi.
As soon as one enters the temple one sees the shrine of
'Khol Theertha Vinayakar'.  After worshipping the
Vinayakar, one can worship Kasi Viswanathar and Sree Visalakshi Ammaiyar. Surya
Bhagawan is found in a lying posture inside the sanctum sanctorum with Usha and
Parathyusha (Chaya Devi ).
There are steps in front of Guru Bhagwan which leads to
the idols of other grahas. After worshipping these grahas, one is supposed to
worship Khol Theertha Vinayakar again. Then comes the flag mast, and after
worshipping it, one should circumambulate the temple. Those who worship Surya
Bhagwan and Lord Siva in this temple are blessed with prosperity. It is the
only Navagraha temple where the other eight grahas can also be found along with
the main one.
Those who are affected by 'Graha Dhosham' can come to
this temple for the antidote (pariharam). Those who are afflicted with the
malefic influence of Sani, Ashtama Sani and Janma Sani can visit this temple
and be relieved of their sufferings. There are as many as 15 theerthams in this
temple. surrounded by lofty walls. One of the theerthams is a well located
inside the temple and it is referred to as the Jnana koopam. The Poolaivala
river which is located in the east whose waters are used in abhishekam
ceremonies in the Tamil month of Aippasi.
This temple is also important for the fact that king
Parikshit worshipped the Sun, Siddhanga Pandian worshipped the Moon and Nala
worshipped Saturn here. The Sun God does away with the hardships caused by
Saturn. If a person has the evil effects of Saturn in his/her horoscope, then
he/she may visit this temple.
Deities:
Soorya Bahavan
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