Suryanar Kovil

Introduction to the Suryanar Kovil

Suryanar Temple, or Suryanar Kovil, is in Suryanar Kovil village, Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu. It is a famous Surya Sthalam and one of the Navagraha temples. Suryanar Kovil is dedicated to the Sun, the first planetary deity. It is the only Navagraha temple with Surya Narayan as the main deity, unlike other Navagraha temples with Shiva as the presiding deity.

Legend of Suryanar Kovil

The legend of Suryanar Kovil is quite interesting. According to it, Sage Kalava was suffering from leprosy. He was unable to bear the deadly condition and prayed to the Navagrahas for relief. His devotion pleased the planets, and they granted his wish. But Brahma was enraged with the planets as nobody had the right to change a person's destiny except himself. So, he cursed all the planets to suffer from leprosy.

The cursed planets came to this spot and performed severe penance to please Shiva. Their devotion pleased him, and he appeared before them. Shiva relieved them from leprosy and blessed the planets so that all who pray to them at this spot with faith and devotion would be blessed. It led to the creation of separate shrines for each planetary deity in Suryanar Kovil.

The Architecture of Suryanar Kovil

King Kulottunga Chola 1 constructed the Suryanar Kovil during the 12th century. He built it to honor the Sun, the planetary deity, the source of life and energy. Later, Vijayanagara kings improved the temple with some additional aspects. Earlier, its name was Surya Narayan temple. After that, it became Suryanar Kovil.

The Suryanar Kovil features the Dravidian style of architecture. This east-facing temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram and strong granite walls enclosing the temple premises. The Rajagopuram in the main entrance is 15.5 m high and has five domes at the top.

Suryanar Kovil has many intricate carvings. The pillars of the Suryanar Kovil have many beautiful carvings. The temple walls have beautiful carvings of animals, mythical creatures, and Hindu deities. The Suryanar Kovil is based on Vaastu Shastra principles. A Bali Peetam is at the entrance of the temple. A wide Mandap is seen here with an idol of a horse, the divine vehicle of the presiding deity.

The presiding deity of the Suryanar Kovil is Surya Narayan. In the sanctum, he graces devotees with his two consorts, Usha & Pratyusha (Chaya). Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Nataraja, Sivakami, Vinayagar, and Murugan are in the hall that leads to the sanctum. One of the idols of Surya Narayan shows him as a protector with a hand in the Abhaya posture and the other hand resting on his thighs. Kol Theertha Vinayagar is in a separate shrine for Vinayagar.

A unique feature of the Suryanar Kovil is that there are two sanctums of Surya; one is east-facing, and the other is west-facing. There is a hall with sculptures of all twelve zodiac signs.

An idol of Guru (Jupiter), one of the planetary deities, is before the sanctum. The other seven planetary deities have their separate shrines. All these shrines are facing Surya Narayan in the Suryanar Kovil.

The Suryanar Kovil underwent many renovations during various dynasties. The Nayak rulers and the Pandya Dynasty majorly contributed to the development of the temple.

A large pond is present inside the temple complex. It is called Surya Pushkarani. Whoever takes a dip in the water is believed to be cured of any disease.

There is a strict sequence when it comes to praying at the temple. Devotees first have to worship Vinayagar, followed by Nataraja, Kasi Viswanathar, and Visalakshi, before worshipping the main deity of the Suryanar Kovil.

Festivals in the Suryanar Kovil

Suryanar Kovil grandly celebrates a 10-day Ratha Saptami between January and February every year. This festival marks the transformation of the season to spring and the beginning of the harvest season. It is said that the Sun turns his chariot (Ratha) drawn by seven horses towards the northern hemisphere in a north-eastern direction with Aruna as the charioteer. This day is celebrated as Ratha Saptami. On the first day of each Tamil month, the Suryanar Kovil performs special Poojas and Abishekam.

The Suryanar Kovil also celebrates Saturn (Sani) and Jupiter (Guru) transition days with special Poojas.

The Suryanar Kovil also celebrates Vijayadashami and Pongal as a thanksgiving to the Sun.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Suryanar Kovil

People who suffer from Kalathra Dosha, Putra Dosha, and Pitru Dosha visit the Suryanar Kovil, light ghee lamps, and perform Poojas to ward off their Doshas. They believe that performing Poojas can remove the adverse effects of the malefic planets and bestow them with the blessings of the Sun.

Devotees also do Thulabharam by offering wheat, jaggery, and harvested grains to the Sun that are equivalent to their weight. Childless couples offer payers and tie cradles at the Suryanar Kovil for progeny blessings.