Kanjanur Sukran Koil

Lord Sukran is the first among the most beneficial Navagraha. We

can easily say Sukra Yogam has started to a person, when
suddenly prosperity and luck comes to him. Lord Sukran is the
authority to gift a human with luck and worldly pleasures in
exchange of his good deeds in his previous birth. Kanjanur Sukran
temple is near Kumbakonam in Tamilnadu which is visited by
devotees as Pariaharam for Sukra Dosham.

Temple Information
Kanjanur is the temple for performing Kalathira Dosha Pariharam for Lord Sukiran. Lord Shiva named as
Agneeswarar is the presiding deity and his consort is Goddess Karpagambal. Lord Agni one of the Ashtadhik
Balakars is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Agneeswarar for the Lord Shiva
here. There are quite a few Shivalingams in the praharam, including one supposedly installed by King Kamsa.
Lord Dakshinamurthy (Guru) 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 of this
standard practice, you can find the image of Haradatta worshipping Dakshinamurthy, which is a unique feature
of this temple.
Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanoor or Agniswara Swami Temple at Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha
Temples in Tamil Nadu and is associated with Lord Sukran (Planet Venus). Also known as Sukran Navagraha
Sthalam, Agniswarar temple is located around 18 km from Kumbakonam and 2 km to the east from Suriyanar
Kovil, on the Kallanai Poompuhar road, in Tamilnadu.
As per the Temple story (Sthala Purana), Lord Brahma was blessed with a vision of Shiva's marriage with
Parvathy here. The Brahma Lingam enshrined in this Temple is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma
himself. There is no separate sannidhi (shrine) for Lord Sukra as Lord Shiva himself is believed to have
incarnated as Venus here.
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.

Specialty
Brahma is said to have been blessed with a vision of Shiva's marriage with Parvati here. Lord Agni Bagavan is
said to have worshipped Shiva here, hence the name Agneeswarar. Haradatta Sivacharayar, originally a
Vaishnava by the name of Sudarshana underwent great ordeals to prove his devotion towards Shiva to his
fellow Vaishnavites here. There are a number of images in the temple Pragaram relating to his story and the
ordeals he underwent. Images of Agneeswarar and Karpagambal are also seen in the Varadarajar Temple at
Kanjanur. Several legends pertaining to events in the life of Haradatta Sivacharyar pertain to this shrine.

The Nataraja Sabha is referred to as the Mukti Mandapam and the Shiva Tandavam here is called as Mukti
Tandavam. Legend says that Lord Shiva blessed Paraasara muni (Parasara Muni is the father of Vyasadeva and
the author of Vishnu Puranam) with a vision of the cosmic dance - Mukti tandavam here.
Located on the northern banks of river Cauvery, Kanjanoor Agneeswarar Temple or Kanjanur Agniswara Swami
Temple is built with two prakaram. A five tiered Rajagopuram is seen at its entrance. Other deities worshipped
here are Maanakkanjaarar, Nayanmaar and Kalikkaamar. Images that describe the stories 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.
This shrine is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Bhrammapuri, Agnistalam and Neelakudi. This Kanjanur Siva
Temple is considered to be the 36th in the series of the Thevara Stalams located in Chola Nadu north of the
river Cauvery. Haradatta Sivacharyar is said to have composed many works in Sanskrit here. There are also
shrines to Maanakkanjaarar Nayanmaar and Kalikkaamar here.
Inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagar periods are seen in this temple. Appar is said to have visited
Kanjanur on his way to Tirukkodikka from Edirkolpaadi.

Location and timings

Kanjanur is 18 K.M. from Kumbakonam and 26 K.M. from Mayiladudurai. It is just 3 K.M. from Suriyanar Koil
and 5 K.M. from Adudurai. There are direct local bus services to this place from Mayavaram, Aduthurai,
Thiruvidaimarudhur and Kumbakonam etc. Devotees can reach this temple from Kumbakonam or Mayavaram
by getting down at Adudurai and travel in an auto for about 5 K.M. Aduduraii the bus route of Kumbakonam
and Mayavaram, is the junction from where you can go to Kanjanur, Surianar Koil and Thirumangalakudi
temples.
Maintained by the Madurai Adheenam, it is located in a quiet and small village in the vicinity of
Tiruvaavaduturai, Suriyanar Koil, Tirumangalakkudi, near Tiruvidaimarudur and Kumbakonam. It is just 3 K.M.
from Suryanar Kovil and 5 K.M. from Adudurai. Aduthurai Railway Station is the nearest railway station.
Kanjanur Sukran Temple timings:
6.00 A.M. to 12.00 P.M. and 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Kanjanur Sukran Temple Address:
Arulmigu Agneeswarar Alayam,
Kanjanur,
Kanjanur Post,
Via. Thugali,
Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk,
Thanjavur District,
PIN CODE: 609804
Phone Number: 04435 247 3737
Other Temples nearby:

Suriyanar Koil Sun Temple.

Sri Sarabeswarar Temple at Thiruvhuvanam.
Sri Mahalinga Swami Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur.

Sri Kalyanasundara Swamy Temple at Thirumanancheri

Sukra Pariaharam:
Lord Sukkiran is the second most beneficial planet after Guru. Lord Sukran is the Guru (Teacher) for Asuras.
Sukra dasa acts in ones life for twenty years after Ketu dasa. As the length of this is largest, if Lord Sukran is
placed in a good house, those people running Sukra dasa gets peaceful and leisurely life. They earn money by
doing little things and wherever they set their foot they grow huge.
For many people Sukra dasa period is the major breakthrough in their life. Beggar becomes a milliner and
milliner becomes a beggar. Both are in the hands of this great Lord in charge of the money, wealth, marriage,
women and enjoyment. The dasa and bukthies of Sukran is very important and must be carefully watched.
Sukiran is the Kalathira Karaka in Indian Horoscope system, meaning he is the deciding authority to favor
ones marriage proposals as well happy married life. Often people with the blessings of Sukiran in favored
houses in their horoscopes get married at the younger age without any difficulties and get their most suitable
life partner.
If Lord Sukran is not placed well in ones horoscope, they get their life partner with great difficulties and often
unhappy about their suitability. Those peoples must visit this temple and perform suitable Parihara Pooja to
get remedies and reduce the ill effects. If marriage gets delayed you must thoroughly check your horoscope
with an astrologer and find out if you have any Kalathira Dosham due to Sukiran.
If Sukran is favorably placed in a persons horoscope, they will be blessed with prosperity, beautiful wife, own
house, vehicle, fame & marriage. The person will also be very influential. An unfavorably positioned Sukiran
in ones horoscope causes eye ailments, indigestion, and impotency, loss of appetite and skin problems.
Lord Sukiran 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. Sukiran is also Ambals favorite and the special day for Ambal is Friday as well.
Six worship services are offered daily in this temple. Fridays are considered auspicious to pray Lord Shukra.
Sukra Dhyana Mantra:
Himakundha mriunalabam dhaiyadhanaam paramam gurum
Sarva Sasthra pravaktharam bargavam pranamamyaham.
Shukra Gayatri Mantram:
Ohm! Ashva dhwajaya Vithmahey Dhanur Hasthaya Dheemahee
Thanno Sukra; Prachodayadh.
Other Sukra Sthalam:
Lord Sukran has performed his prayers in two places, namely Thirunavalur and Srirangam. As per very old
Vedic scriptures Sri Rangam ranganathar templre is the Parihara temple for Sukiran. Sri Kolavilli Ramar Temple
at Thiruvelliyan kudi, one of the 108 Divya Desams, near Thirupanandal, Kumbakonam is also where Lord
Sukiran got his eyes back after his penance to Lord Vishnu.
Velleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai and Velleeswarar Temple at Mangadu, Chennai are also considered as
Sukiran temples.
It is ideal to pray to Lord Sukran by giving away white cloth, white Lotus, diamond, 'mochai' powder and athi
for their betterment in life and in work. It is believed the unemployed will get jobs and those wishing to get
married would get their dream partner soon.

Those who have Sukra dosham have to wear diamond and pray to Goddess Raja Rajeswari and also donate
white clothes, silver and mochai to be relieved of their dosham.
Temple Stories
Story of Vamana Avatar and Lord Sukaran:King Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlada was a great king. He performed a sacrificing Yagna called `Viswajit'
(conquest of the worlds) meaning that which bestows mastery over the three worlds. From out of the sacrificial
fire arose a golden chariot, armor and a coat of arms.
Having special weapons, he set out on a `Digvijayam' (Conquest of all the directions). With the help of
Sukracharya , his teacher and mentor the Lord Sukiran , his preceptor, he conquered Indra and Devas and
occupied Indra Logam, the capital of Indra.
Brihaspati ( Lord Guru Bagavan), the Deva Guru counseled Indra to wait. Nothing could be done and Mahabali
would fall only if and when Sukracharya cursed him for disobeying his command - a situation that could be
created only by Lord Vishnu.
Kaasyapa Rishi had another wife by name Aditi who was the mother of Devas. As the eviction of Devas took
place at a time when Kasyapa had gone out for meditation, she awaited his arrival. And, when he returned she
narrated the happenings. Kasyapa and Aditi performed a `Payovrata' - (penance for 12 days when the
sacrificers could drink only milk). This was done to propitiate Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu was pleased and appeared before them and told that he would be born as the youngest son of
Aditi and would help in restoring the glory of Indra. Accordingly he was born during a bright fortnight of the
month Bhadrapada. The baby immediately grew up to be a short statured Brahmin Brahmachari (unmarried
Brhaman) called Vamana.
Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu
This Brahmachari entered the sacrificial grounds of Bali who was performing Aswamedha (horse sacrifice). He
was resplendent and shone like a thousand Suryas. Bali was amazed, received him with due honors and
requested what he wanted - cows, elephants, horses, gold, chariots and promised that he would give whatever
Vaamana wanted.
Vaamana said that he did not desire any of these but wanted that much of land as measured by three steps by
his feet. Bali readily agreed and asked his wife to bring water in a Kamandalam for giving the Dhanam by
pouring water in his palm. His Guru, Sukracharya realized that it is only Lord Vishnu who had come in the garb
of a Brahmachari and prevailed upon Bali to retract from his promise. But, Bali insisted saying that if Lord
Vishnu himself were to seek alms from him, there could no greater glory for him and he would not retract.
Sukracharya took the form a bee and stopped the flow of water from Kamandalam through which Bali poured
water to give his Dhanam. But Bali put a grass Dharbai and cleared the way. While doing so Lord Sukiran lost
his vision as the Dharbai spoiled his Eyes. Lord Sukran became angry and cursed him that he would soon fall
from his high position.
And, Sri Vishnu was waiting exactly for this moment. Vaamana grew and grew so tall that all those who
witnessed were amazed to witness such a phenomenon. Vaamana became Trivikrama and began to measure
the three paces.
By the first he strode like a colossus and covered the earth. By the second, he measured the Heavens. Lord
Vishnu then asked Bali where was he to measure by the third pace. Bali bowed low to Vishnu and prayed
Vikrama to place his foot on his head. Lord Vishnu gave Moksha to King Mahabali by pressing his feet over his
heads. In Kerala the Onam festival is celebrated to in praise of King Mahabali every year.

Lord Sukran after losing his vision came here to seek pardon. He performed Poojas and penanace in this
temple and got his lost vision back from Lord Shiva. The benevolent Lord bestowed Sukracharya's vision.
Story of Haradhatha
There is another story of how Vishnu incurred Sukracharyas wrath. Sukracharya was the son of Brigu
Maharishi. Once during a war between the devas and asuras, Brigu Maharishis wife, was accidentally
beheaded by Vishnus 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.
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 everybodys 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.
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 favorite. Lord 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.