Visitor Information
- Famous for: Divinity, Architecture, History
- Entrance Fee: No entrance fee for this place of worship
- Visiting Time: 6 AM to 12 noon and then from 4 PM to 9 PM
- Visit Duration: 1 hour to 2 hours
The Kanjanur Sukran Temple is a major devotional location present within the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Located at a distance of about 15 kilometers from the famed temple town of Kumbakonam, this temple has been built for Venus i.e. Sukran, which is one of the nine planets (navagrahas). Present right in the midst of a dainty village, this ancient temple boasts a grandeur and architecture unique to that of navagraha temples. An expansive ground area complements the serene settings and provides the perfect aura of true divinity. The deity being worshipped here is Lord Shiva as Agneeswarar with his consort Goddess Karpagambal, with Sukra being given equal importance by devotees. The legend behind the temple is that Lord Agni worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name. Dropping in at the temple when visiting the region is a must for architecture lovers and history buffs.
Traveler Tips
- Visiting during Fridays will subject tourists to a large crowd as praying to Sukran on Friday is considered to be very beneficial.
- The floor of the temple which is exposed to the sunlight can get heated up making it difficult to walk during the hot afternoons.
Things to Do
- Marvel at the stunning architecture of this majestic temple.
- Get to know the sthala purana i.e. the stories behind the temple for the priests.
- Visit the shrines of Agneeswarar, Hayagreevar and that of Karpagambal to gain the blessings of the deities.
- Look in at the statue of Sukran who does not have any particular shrine for worship.
- Visit the small museum present right next to the temple to gain an insight into its history as well as that of the place.
- Go to the nearby city of Kumbakonam, and visit all the main temples for which the city is famous for.
- Shop at the local markets and collect souvenirs from the trip.
- Eat around at the local restaurants and get a taste of their local cuisines.
Availability of Guides
Local guides are available for a certain fee to explain the history of the place along with the other temples within the area.
Best Time to Visit
Since this temple has been built for Lord Shiva, festivals like Navratri and Aadipooram are celebrated with great grandeur in the region. Since these festivals are usually celebrated around the months of August to September, this also makes it the perfect time to visit the temple. The summers are best avoided due to the extreme heat of the region which is also very humid.
How to Reach
This temple is about 3 kilometers from the famous Suryanar temple and about 25 kilometers from Mayiladurai. The closest airport to this place is at Trichy which is at around 70 kilometers from Kumbakonam, while the closest railway station is at Adudurai which is well connected to other main cities within the state like Chennai, Vellore etc. By getting down at the Adudrai stop which is between Kumbakonam and Mayavaram, an auto could be taken to the temple. Private vehicles can also be used to reach the temple.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about the Sukkiran Temple
- This temple is under the control of the Madurai Sri Thirugnanasambantha Swamigal Aatheenam.
- It is believed that while praying to Lord Sukran, it is best to give away white lotuses, white clothes etc. to make their wishes come true.
- People having sukra dosham pray at this place by wearing a diamond to get rid of the dosham.
- One of the lingas is said to be kept here by Kamsa.
- Dakshinamurthy being worshipped by Hardatta is a unique feature of this temple.
Nearby Attractions
- Suriyanar Temple
- Kalyanasundara Swamy Temple at Thirumanacheri
- Sri Sarabeswarar Temple
- Sri Mahalinga Swami Temple
Nearby Restaurants
- SD Temple House
The serene and tranquil environment of this beautiful location makes it a place which is visited time and again by devotees and tourists alike. The architecture of the place is another reason why people keep visiting the location.
