Suryanar temple

Suryanar temple is the first Navagraha temple .This temple is situated in the small village called Thirumangalakkudi. This is an exclusive shrine dedicated to the Sun god and was built during the Chola period. This temple also houses shrines to each of the other eight celestial bodies - The Navagrahams.Very close to this temple are the Shivasthalams, Tirumangalakudi and Kanjanur. It is believed that one should visit Tirumangalakkudi temple first and then visit the Suryanar temple.The Suryanar temple faces west. Surya's wives are Goddess Usha and Goddess Prathyusha. The presiding deities are Prananatheswarar and his consort Mangalanayaki.There are also shrines to Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Brihaspathi in the sanctum. Shrines to other celestial bodies are located outside the sanctum.

Surya's great chariot has one wheel and is drawn by seven horses, he has a lotus in each hand, wears an armour and has a shield over his breast, has beautiful straight hair, and is surrounded by a halo of light. Surya is the Lord of Simma Rasi and occupies the central place amongst the navagrahas. The adidevatha is Agni, prathyutha Devatha - Rudran. His colour is red The grain associated with his is wheat; the flower - lotus, yerukku; fabric - red clothes; gem - ruby; food - wheat, rava, chakkara pongal.

Legend : Kalava Munivar had foreseen his failure and realised that he would suffer from leprosy. He prayed to the navagrahas, who being pleased with his devotion absolved him of the disease. Brahma deva on realising that the Navagrahas were granting boons, instead of aspecting a person as per his /her good or bad deeds, condemned them to suffer from leprosy and banished them to earth.

The Navagrahas realsing their mistake, pleaded for mercy. Lord Brahma adviced them to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Uma Devi residing at Thirumangalakkudi, after bathing in the holy river, Cauvery, He adviced them to consume only curd rice laid on velerukku leaf .

Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion absolved them to their sins and said that there will be nine seperate sanadhis to the navagrahas seperately in this Suryanar temple and those who pray here will get relief from their problems.

Slokas :

Aswa Dhwajaaya Vidhmahe

Padhma Hasthaaya Dheemahi

Thannas Soorya Pracho Dhayaath.
Japaa Kusuma Sankaasam Kaasyapeyam

Mahaath' YuthimThamo'urim

Sarva Paapa Ganam

Pranathosmi Dhiwaakaram

Surya Gayatri :

om aswadhwajaaya vidmahae
paasa hastaaya dheemahi
tanno surya: prachodayaat