Abode of the Sun God and the Navagrahas
A massive tsunami destroyed the Sun temple in Uchikizhan Kottam in Poompuhar during the Sangam Age. But the Sooriyanar kovil, or Sun temple, in the town of Suriyanarkovil in Thanjavur, still stands proudly, despite its antiquity and the vagaries of time. This temple is a renowned Surya Sthalam and is also a Navagraha temple.
This temple is meant for the worship of the nine planets or Navagrahas – Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Rahu, and Ketu. These planets play a huge role in our destiny, according to Astrology. When they are well placed in our birth charts, we can expect to have a smooth life. But if they are malefic, they may cause adverse consequences that can affect all aspects of our lives. Hence, a lot of people visit this temple to worship the planetary deities and avert the negative consequences of the planets in their lives.
The Sooriyanar Kovil is a west-facing temple. The presiding deity here is Suryanarayana, seen in a chariot like vimaanam, which represents the Sun’s chariot. Kasi Vishwanathar, Visalakshi, and Brihaspati (Guru) also have shrines in the sanctum. Outside the sanctum are shrines to the other celestial bodies are located outside of the sanctum. Among the nine planets, Sun has the first place, so this temple, which bears its name, too, enjoys great importance. People undergoing the seven and a half Saturn period, Ashtama Shani (position in the 8th house), and Shani in the birth Rashi house and those who have similar adverse aspects in their horoscopes, visit this temple, usually on the advice of astrologers, who recommend it as a remedy for mitigating the adverse effects of such planetary placements.
Rituals of the temple
Devotees stay in the temple for a period of 12 Sundays. This is called Thala Vasam and covers a period of two and a half months (around 78 days), starting from the morning of the first Sunday. They take a bath in the sacred springs called Nava Theerthas, keep a fast (vrat) and worship Thirumangalakudi Prananatha and Goddess Mangala Nayaki as well as the other deities housed in the temple. During their stay, they also perform remedial services like Poojas to appease the deities and remove the planetary Doshas. Those who are going through Sun Mahadasha (main period) and Anatardasha (sub-period) periods worship on Sundays.
Some of the rituals that are commonly performed are Nadi Pariharam, Surya Archana, and Navagraha Homa. They also offer Chakkarai Pongal, made of rice, ghee, and jaggery, as neivedyam, which is believed to be a favorite of the deities. Prescribed rituals like Archana and Abishek are also performed. Yet another ritual is Thulabharam – where items like wheat, jaggery, and other kinds of farm produce equal to the devotee’s weight are offered. Those who want children offer cradles. The visitors are offered Prasad. Annadanam (feeding the poor) is also done by some.
