Sri Agneeswarar Temple

Overview

One of the nine Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu and associated with Lord Sukran (Planet Venus), the sixth of Navagraha planets is Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanoor or Agniswara Swami Temple at Kanjanur. Agniswarar temple is located around 18 km from Kumbakonam and 2 km to the east from Sooriyanayanar Kovil, on the Kallanai - Poompuhar road, in Tamilnadu and is also known as Sukran Navagraha Sthalam similar to most of the other Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu

About the Temple

The Kanjanoor Agneeswarar Temple or Kanjanur Agniswara Swami Temple is located on the northern banks of river Cauveri and is built with two prakarams. At its entrance, is a five tiered Rajagopuram. Maanakkanjaarar, Nayanmaar and Kalikkaamar are the other deities worshipped here. Seen in this temple are images that describe legends of Haradatta Sivacharyar of Vaishnava origins, inscriptions from Chola and Vijayanagar periods, and stone images of Sri Natarajar and Sivakami.

According to legend, here Lord Brahma was blessed with a vision of Shiva's marriage with Parvathi and he is said to have worshipped the Braham Linga enshrined in this temple. The Oil Abishekam performed to the main Siva linga is fully absorbed by the idol which is another important feature. As Lord Shiva himself is believed to have incarnated as Venus here, there is no separate sannidhi for Lord Sukra.

About the Deity

The main deities of Agniswara Swami Temple are Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Lord Shiva is known here as Agneeswarar due to the fact that Lord Agni (Fire God) is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as Karpagambal.

Legend and stories

The Nataraja Sabha is called the Mukti Mandapam and the Shiva Tandavam here is known as Mukti Tandavam. Legend has it that it is here Lord Shiva showed Paraasara muni (the author of Vishnu Puranam and father of Vyasadeva) a vision of the cosmic dance - Mukti tandavam. This temple is also known to as Palaasavanam, Bhrammapuri, Agnistalam and Neelakudi. The Vilva leaf (Bilwa Leaf) here is seen 5 in number, which is quite unique, and also one of the important features of the temple.

Festivals

In the Tamil month of “Thai” every year, a festival honouring Haradatta Sivacharyar is celebrated along with Mahasivaratri, Aadi Pooram, Navaratri, and Arudra Darisanam, with much importance.

Nearby Place to Visit

Suryanar Kovil is the nearest Navagraha Temple dedicated to Lord Sun and situated about 2 km from Kanjanoor. Other nearby temples, of prime importance are Sri Sarabeswarar Temple at Thirubhuvanam, Sri Mahalinga Swami Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur, and Sri Kalyanasundara Swamy Temple at Thirumanancheri.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport to Agneeswarar Temple is Thanjavur airport, which is 46 Km away from the temple.

Railways

The nearest railway station to Agneeswarar Temple is Mayiladuthurai railway station which is 18 Km away from the temple.

Road

There are direct local bus services to Agneeswarar Temple from Mayavaram, Aduthurai, Thiruvidaimarudhur and Kumbakonam.

Temple Address