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{{Short description|Navagraha temple in Tamil Nadu}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Suryanar Kovil
| image = Suryanar Koil in Tamil Nadu JEG6875.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|11|1|47|N|79|28|40|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| proper_name =
| country = India
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]]
| locale = [[Maruthuvakudi|Aduthurai]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Suryanar ([[Sun]])
| festivals =
| architecture = [[Chola architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator = [[Kulothunga Chola I|Kulothunga Chola]]
| website =
}}

'''Suryanar Kovil''' (also called '''Suryanar Temple''') is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to the deity Hindu Sun-God, [[Surya]], located in near a small town [[Maruthuvakudi|Aduthurai]], [[Thanjavur District]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Navagraha temples|url=http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/suryanaar.html|publisher=Indian Temples|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> The presiding deity is Suriyanar, the Sun and his consorts Ushadevi and Pratyusha Devi. The temple also has separate shrines for the other eight planetary deities. The temple is considered one of the nine [[Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="TN">{{cite web|title=Navagraha temples|url=http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/navagrahas_m'.html|publisher=Thanjavur District Administration|accessdate=13 September 2015}}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> The temple is one of the few historic temples dedicated to Sun god and is also the only temple in Tamil Nadu which has shrines for all the planetary deities.<ref name="dinamalar"/>

The present masonry structure was built during the reign of [[Kulothunga Chola I|Kulottunga Choladeva]] (1060–1118 CE) in the 11th century with later additions from the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar period]]. Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]], the temple has a five-tiered raja[[gopuram]], the gateway tower and a granite wall enclosing all the shrines of the temple.<ref name=Meena/>

It is believed that the planetary deities were cursed by [[Brahma]] to dwell in Vellurukku Vanam, the white wild flower jungle and were blessed by [[Shiva]] to make it their abode to devotees. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from [[5:30]] a.m. to 9 p.m., and two yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==Legend==
Per the Hindu legend, sage Kalava was suffering from serious ailments along with leprosy. He prayed to the [[Navagrahas]], the nine planet deities. The planets were pleased by his devotion and offered cure to the sage. [[Brahma]], the Hindu god of creation, was angered as he felt that the planets have no powers to provide boons to humans. He cursed the nine planets to suffer from leprosy and were sent down to earth in Vellurukku Vanam, the white wild flower jungle. The planets prayed to [[Shiva]] to relieve them off the curse. Shiva appeared to them and said that the place belonged to them and they would have to grace the devotees worshipping them from the place.<ref name=A>{{cite book|title=Temples of South India|last=Anantharaman|first=Ambjuam|publisher=East West|edition=second|year=2006|isbn=978-81-88661-42-8|pages=43–47}}</ref> This is the only temple where there are separate shrines for each of the planet deities.<ref name="dinamalar"/> It is also the only temple among the nine planetary temples where Shiva is not the presiding deity.<ref name=hindu2>{{cite news|title=An exploration on foot|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/an-exploration-on-foot/article3218036.ece|date=5 May 2006|accessdate=25 November 2018|last=Thondaman|first=R. Vijayakumar|publisher=The Hindu|work=Friday Review}}</ref>

==History==
It is stated in one of the inscriptions found in the temple that it was built in the reign of [[Kulothunga Chola I|Kulottunga Choladeva]] (1060–1118 CE) and was called Kulottungachola-Marttandalaya. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref name=A/> The temple is mentioned in the songs of [[Muthuswami Dikshitar]], who has composed a song starting with "Suryamurthe" in Saurashatra [[raga]]m.<ref>{{cite news|title=The 12 splendid suns|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/the-12-splendid-suns/article4204129.ece|work=The Hindu|date=16 December 2012|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref>

==Architecture==
Suriyanar Temple is located at the distance of 15 km from Kumbakonam in west, 22  km from [[Mayiladuthurai]] in east, 2 km from [[Maruthuvakudi|Aduthurai]], 8 km from Thiruppanandal and {{convert|58|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Thanjavur]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Top Ten Temple Towns of India|publisher=Mark Age Publication|first=S.C.|last=Karkar|location=Kolkota|isbn=978-81-87952-12-1|year=2009|page=80}}</ref> The temple can be accessed by road through [[Maruthuvakudi|Aduthurai]] in Kumbakonam–[[Mayiladuthurai]] road and [[Thiruppanandal]] in [[Kumbakonam]]–[[Chennai]] road. The temple has a rectangular plan with compound walls, pierced by a five-tiered raja [[gopuram]] (entrance tower). The central shrine is of [[Surya]], the Sun God, is built on an elevated structure. The central shrine houses the image of Surya and his consorts Usha and [[Chhaya]]. The hall leading to the central shrine has images of [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple|Viswanathar]], [[Vishalakshi Temple|Visalakshi]], [[Nataraja]], Sivakami, [[Ganesha|Vinayagar]] and [[Murugan]]. On the axial line in front of the central shrine, there is an image of [[Guru]] ([[Jupiter]]), one of the planetary deities. There are separate shrines for all the other seven planet deities namely [[Budha]] ([[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]]), [[Shani]] ([[Saturn]]), Sukran ([[Venus]]), Soma ([[Moon]]), Angaragan ([[Mars]]), [[Rahu]] and [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]].<ref name=dinamalar/> All the other eight shrines of the Navagrahas are arranged facing the shrine of Suryanar. Guru is depicted performing pooja to [[Shiva]].<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=30}}</ref>

==Worship and festivals==
{| class="toccolours" style="clear:right; float:right; background:#ffffff; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; width:220"
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC;text-align:center;" colspan="3"|[[File:Hinduism symbol.png|25px|Om symbol|left]] '''Sapthavigraha Moorthis''' [[File:Hinduism symbol.png|25px|Om symbol|right]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="3" | ''Saptha Vigraha moorthis'' are the seven prime consorts in all [[Shiva]] temples located at seven cardinal points around the temple
|-
|style="text-align:center;background:#A8BDEC"|'''Deity'''||style="text-align:center;background:#A8BDEC"|'''Temple'''||style="text-align:center;background:#A8BDEC"| '''Location'''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |Shiva || [[Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur|Mahalingaswamy temple]] || [[Tiruvidaimarudur]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Vinayaga]] || [[Thiruvalanjuli Kabardeeshwarar Temple (Vellai Vinayagar Temple)|Vellai Vinayagar Temple]] || [[Thiruvalanchuzhi]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Murugan]] || [[Swamimalai Murugan temple]] || [[Swamimalai]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Nataraja]] || [[Chidambaram Nataraja Temple|Natarajar temple]] || [[Chidambaram]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Durga]]|| [[Thenupuriswarar Temple]] || [[Patteswaram]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Dakshinamurthy|Guru]]|| [[Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi|Apatsahayesvarar Temple]] || Alangudi
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Navagraha]]|| Suryanar Kovil || Suryanar Kovil
|-
|}

The temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Shaivism|Shaivaite]] community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 8:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m.<ref>{{cite web|title=Suryanar Temple|url=https://templedevotee.blogspot.com/2020/01/suryanar-temple.html|publisher=Temple Devotee|year=2020|accessdate=13 January 2020}}</ref> Each ritual comprises four steps: ''abhisheka'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''neivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for Surya, Usha and Chhaya. The worship is held amidst music with ''[[nadaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the [[Vedas]] read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' and ''{{lang|te-Latn|sukravaram}}'', fortnightly rituals like ''[[pradosha]]m'' and monthly festivals like ''[[amavasya|amavasai]]'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', ''[[pournami (festival)|pournami]]'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''.<ref name=dinamalar>{{cite web|title=Sri Suriyanar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=739|publisher=Dinamalar|year=2011|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

==Religious importance==
The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state - it houses the image of Surya (Sun).<ref>{{cite book|title=Jothirlingam: The Indian Temple Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CE55CgAAQBAJ&q=thiruvenkadu|page=92|publisher=Partridge Publishing|author=Suriya|year=2015|isbn=9781482847864}}</ref> The planets are believed to influence the horoscope computed based on time of one's birth and subsequently influence the course of life. Each of the planets are believed to move from a star to another during a predefined period and thus sway over an individual's fortunes. Kol vinay theertha Vinayagar is an important deity inside the temple and should be worshiped first before worshiping Lord Suriyan and other planets

. The Navagrahas, as per Hindu customs, are believed to provide both good and bad effects for any individual and the bad effects are mitigated by prayers. As in other Navagraha temples, the common worship practises of the devotees include offering of cloth, grains, flowers and jewels specific to the planet deity. Lighting a set of lamps is also commonly followed in the temple.<ref name=A/> As per contemporary Saivite belief, the energies distributed cyclically by Navagrahas can be channeled based on remedial measures. As per local legends, Shiva, the overlord of the nine planetary deities, allowed them to freely grant wishes based on devotion of the devotees.<ref>{{cite book|title=Astrology in Time and Place|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|year=2015|isbn=978-1-4438-8381-8|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wtX6DAAAQBAJ&q=navagraha+temples+in+tamilnadu+map&pg=PA70|chapter=Astrology and its ritual applications|last=Friscia|first=Mario|editor1-last=Campion|editor1-first=Nicholas |editor2-last=Greenbaum|editor2-first=Dorian Gieseler |page=70}}</ref>

According to Hindu legend, Mahalingaswamy is the centre of all Shiva temples in the region and the ''Saptha Vigraha moorthis'' (seven prime consorts in all [[Shiva]] temples) are located at seven cardinal points around the temple, located in various parts of the state.<ref name="tourist">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGxbJqdEQrwC&q=thiruvidaimarudur&pg=PA71|last=Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu |title=Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu|year=2007|publisher=T. Krishna Press |location=Chennai |isbn=978-81-7478-177-2|ref=tourist|page=53}}</ref><ref name=Om34>{{cite journal|title=Jyothirmaya Mahalingam|last=Narayanaswami|journal=Om Sakthi|language=Tamil|publisher=Om Sakthi Publications|date=April 1987|location=Coimbatore|ref=Om|pages=34–5}}</ref> The seven deities are [[Nataraja]] in [[Chidambaram Nataraja Temple]] at [[Chidambaram]], [[Satyagireeswarar Temple, Senganur|Chandikeswarar temple at Tirucheingalur]], [[Vinayagar]] in [[Thiruvalanjuli Kabardeeshwarar Temple (Vellai Vinayagar Temple)|Vellai Vinayagar Temple]] at [[Thiruvalanchuzhi]], [[Muruga]] in [[Swamimalai Murugan Temple]] at [[Swamimalai]], [[Bhairava]] in [[Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi|Sattainathar Temple]] at [[Sirkali]], [[Navagraha]] in this temple and [[Dakshinamoorthy]] in [[Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi|Apatsahayesvarar Temple]] at [[Alangudi, Nannilam]].<ref name=Om34/> The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the northern banks of [[River Kaveri]].<ref name=Ka>{{cite book|title=River cauvery the most battl(r)ed|last=Ka. Vi.|first=Kannan|page=42|publisher=Notion Press|year=2019|isbn=9781684666041|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CGFDwAAQBAJ&q=thiruvavaduthurai}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|20em}}

{{Navagraha}}
{{Sun temples}}

[[Category:Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Surya temples]]

Suryanar Kovil - Revision history

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