Kanjanur is the sthalam for Sukran. At this Shiva temple
Agneeswarar is the presiding deity and his consort is Karpagambal. Agni is
said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Agneeswarar. There
are quite a few Shivalingams in the praharam, including one supposedly
installed by Kamsa.
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Kanjanur - Sukran Sthalam |
There are quite a few stories associated with this temple
as follows;
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When Lord Vishnu asked Bali for 3 steps of land in Vamana
Avataram, Sukracharya tried to dissuade Bali from granting the boon. He took
the form of a bee and blocked the mouth of the Kamandalam [a type of Jar,
usually carried by rishis] from which Bali would pour water to signify the
grant of the boon. Vishnu used a dharba to clear the blockage in the
Kamandalam and in the process blinded Sukracharya in one eye. Vamana then
took the Vishwaroopam and covered the whole universe in two steps. The 3rd
step was placed on Bali. An angry Sukracharya, cursed Vishnu. After severe
penance to Shiva here, Vishnu was relieved of his curse.
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An interesting connection between Valleeswarar Koil in
Mylapore and this story is as follows. Sukran after being blinded in one eye
undertook a pilgrimage of Shivalayams to get back his sight. It was at
Valleeswarar temple in Mylapore that he got back his sight. Offer prayers to
Shiva at Valleeswarar Koil in Mylapore to get rid of eye ailments and to be
blessed with good eyesight
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There is another story of how Vishnu incurred
Sukracharya’s wrath. Sukracharya was the son of Brigu Maharishi. Once during
a war between the devas and asuras, Brigu Maharishi’s wife, was accidentally
beheaded by Vishnu’s chakram [discus]. An angry Sukracharya cursed Vishnu. As
a result of the curse, He was born as Sudarsanar to Vasudeva, a Vaishnava
Brahmin. Sudarsanar was a staunch Shiva devotee and was popularly known as
Haradatta Shivacharyar. There are stories of the ordeals undergone by
Haradatta to prove his devotion for Shiva. Images pertaining to these are
seen in this temple and also in the Vishnu temple in the village. Haradatta
used to spend much of his time meditating before the Dakshinamurthy.
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Dakshinamurthy is always seen with a demon being crushed
under his feet. The demon signifies ignorance. It means that Dakshinamurthy
leads us from ignorance to the knowledge of self. Instead; you can find the
image of Haradatta worshipping Dakshinamurthy, which is a unique feature of
this temple
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Sukran - Kanjanur |
There is an interesting story associated with the Nandi
here. A poor Brahmin was afflicted by pasu dosham because a calf had expired
when he threw a bundle of grass at it. The Brahmin as advised by Haradatta
offered a clump of grass to the stone Nandi. To everybody’s astonishment, the
stone Nandi is supposed to have consumed the grass. It is said that since
this Nandi is eating the grass the tongue is not seen hanging outside.
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Sukracharyar was imparted the knowledge of Amirtha
Sanjeevini Mantra by Lord Shiva. This Mantra can bring the dead back to life.
Sukracharya used this mantra in one of the deva-asura wars and revived the
slain asuras. One being approached by devas for help, Lord Shiva is said to
have swallowed Sukracharya in a fit of rage. Sukracharyar meditated on Shiva
inside His stomach. Karpagambal prevailed on Shiva to let Sukracharyar out.
Hence Sukran is very devoted to the Ambal and is Her favourite. Shiva also
conferred on Sukracharya the status of a celestial planet here. There is no idol
for Sukran here. Shiva blesses those who come with their prayers to Sukran.
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Brahma is said to have been blessed with the vision of
Shiva’s marriage with Parvati.
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Pooja
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He is the second most beneficial planet after Guru. If
Sukran is favourably placed in a person’s horoscope, the inmate will be
blessed with prosperity, beautiful wife, own house, vehicle, fame &
marriage. The person will also be very influential. An unfavourably
positioned Sukran in ones horoscope causes eye ailments, indigestion, and
impotency, loss of appetite and skin problems. Lord Sukran is offered white
Lotus, white cloth, mochai kottai [common bean] and aththi [fig] to alleviate
problems caused by Sukra dosham. Friday is the day of Sukran and worship on
Fridays is considered very special. Sukran is also Ambal’s favourite and the
special day for Ambal is Friday as well.
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Recite the following Mantras facing South-East
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Sukra Moola Mantra: Aum dram drim draum sah shukraya
namah
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Shukra Gayatri: om rajathapaya vidmahae Bhrigu suthaya
dheemahi tanno shukra: prachodayaath
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Temple timings: 6 A.M. to 12.00 P.M. and 4 P.M. to 9 P.M.
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Kanjanur Temple |
Temple Address
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Arulmigu Agneeswarar Alayam
Kanjanur
Kanjanur Post
Via Thugali
Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN 609804
Phone Number: 04435 247 3737
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