Kanjanoor Sukra Bhagavan Temple or Agniswarar Temple is located in Kanjanur Village, Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu State. The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu, it houses the image of Sukra (Venus planet).
Sri Karpagambal Sametha Sri Agneeswarar Temple’s presiding deity is Sukra (Venus) temple. However, the main idol of the temple is that of “Agniswarar” or Shiva. According to the Saivite belief that Shiva is omnipresent, Sukra is located in the stomach of the idol of Shiva.
Kanjanur Agniswarar Temple Timings:
Morning: 7.00 am to 12.30 pm
Evening: 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Friday & Sunday:
Morning: 7: 00 am to 1:30 pm
Evening: 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Agneeswarar Temple Pooja’s
Kaalasanthi – Morning 8.00 am
Uchikaalam – Afternoon 12.30 pm
Saayarakshai – Evening 5.30 pm
IrandamKaalam – Night 7.30 pm
Arthasamam – Night 9.00 pm
Kanjanoor Sukra Bhagavan Temple History:
According to legend, Agni (God of fire) did penance here for Lord Siva, hence the name Agneeswarar of Lord Siva. Kalathira Dosha Nivarana Pooja will be held in this temple. Lord Brahma was blessed with a vision of Lord Siva’s marriage to Goddess Parvathi at this location. It is believed that Lord Brahma installed the Linga here and offered prayers, hence the name Brahma Linga. There is no separate shrine for Sukran and he said that Sukran resides in the stomach of Lord Siva.
During Vamana Avatar, Sri Vishnu, who disguised himself as a Brahmin boy, punched Sukran in the eyes, causing him to lose his eyesight. His vision was restored after doing penance for Lord Siva there.
Lord Siva once taught the Sanjeevini Mantra to Sage Sukracharya, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. With this mantra, Sukracharya can revive life. Sukracharya used this mantra to revive the Asura, who lost their lives in the battle of deva-asura. Lord Siva got angry at this act and swallowed Sukracharya. Sukracharya began to meditate for Shiva from inside the stomach. At Karpagambal’s request, Lord Siva freed Sukracharya. From then on, Sukracharya is very devoted to the Goddess.
Agneeswarar Temple Karpaga Vinayagar Greatness:
There was an old woman named Karpaganatchiyar in this temple. She used to do Motakam to Vinayagar every day. But on the day of the Thai Panchami, the day Haratattar came to Kailayam, due to Vinayagar’s trial, the Motakam took a long time to complete.
So she prayed to Vinayagar with repentance. So he took this old woman with his trunk and kept her in Kailayam and from that day Vinayagar is called Karpaga Vinayagar.
How to reach Kanjanur Temple:
By Air:
The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport which is 123 km.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is at Kumbakonam which is 17.9 km away.
By Road:
Direct buses are available from Kumbakonam to Kanjanoor Venus Temple.
Kanjanoor Sukra Bhagavan Temple Address:
Arulmigu Agneeswarar Alayam,
Sannathi Street,
Kanjanur Post,
Via Thugali,
Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk,
Thanjavur District,
Tamilnadu – 609804.
Phone: 044 35 247 3737