He is the God - a living God - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Though he is visible, he also has been presented in a variety of forms. He is the life-giver and time-giver.

In the six sects established by Adi Sankara, Souram is one devoted to Sun God. Even in other religions, Sun worship has place. In the Zodiac, Sun occupies a prominent place - the Center. The griha is the source of life and He is therefore described as the life-giver (Pranadhata). He helps one gain his eyesight and Suryanamaskar (worship by prostration) will strengthen one's bones, cure illness, however sever it may be, cleanses the devotee from his sins and bestows on him progeny, wealth, good-health and long life. He is the cause for rain-fall benefiting the world.

The Vedas adore him as a witness of all actions (Sakshi). Worship of this devata on Sunday is supposed to bring in manifold benefits to the worshippers. He is the lord of Leo in the Zodiac. He stays one month in each Rasi and takes 365 days or 12 months to complete a round of 12 Rasis.

Suryanarayana Temple - Tamil Nadu Suryanarayana Temple, popluarly known as Suryanar-Koli, is about 3 kms. from the Aduturai railway station on the Southern Railway main line from Madras to Thanjavur.

There are also temples to Sun at Konark in Orissa and Modhera in Gujarat

As Chandra was very much handsome and legible, Daksha Prajapathi gave all his 27 daughters to him. Instead of treating all of them alike, he neglected all the other 26 wives and spent most of the time with Rohini, Prajapathi advised Chandran to treat all his 27 wives equally. But Chandran ignored him Daksha Prajapathi got cursed Chandran that he should suffer from a wasting diseases. Then, Chandran prayed to Lord Shiva in Thingalur to save him from the curse. Saving him Lord Shiva ordered that Chandran should remain in the temple in Thingalur and should give relief to those, suffering from all the aspects of Chandra's adverse placement in their horoscopes and offering prayers to him. So, such people who are affected by the adverse positions of Chandra in their horoscopes offer prayers to Lord Katharina, Goddess Sri Periyanayaki and Chandra Baghavam by offering prayers.

Chandra is one of the biggest planet illuminating the sky. It is the second planet among the Navagrahas and control our human mind. Sage Atri was ordained by Brahma to construct the worlds and the Maharshi went into a deep meditation. Divine light emanated from the eyes of Atri. The Dikpaalakaas could not bear the light and through it into the sea of milk, Chandra and Lakshmi were born out of the sea. Thus Chandra is the brother of Lakshmi. He is also described as the left eye of Lord Vishnu. During the churning of the seamilk, elixir was produced. Lord Vishnu, in disguise as Jaganmohini, distributed the elixir among the gods. Two daanavas by name Rahu and Ketu by stealth tried to drink the elixir. At that time Chandra hinted to Lord Vishnu about the cheating of Rahu and Ketu. Vishnu beheaded both with his Sudarshana Chakaram. That is why Rahu and Ketu entertain a grudge of Chandra him on some days by eclipsing him.

It is believed that Chandra was born from the intelligence of the almighty. Silver is the favorite metal. Fasting on Mondays and worshiping of Lord Shiva, adorning pearls on the body, donating rice, white cloths, sandal, sugar etc., should be done to beseech Chandra. The natives who were afflicted with the planets can get some relief by performing pujas and offering Lord Shiva, Goddess Periyanayaki and to Chandra Bhagavan. In the Tamil Month of Panguni on the Poornima, the day before and on the succeeding three days, the rays of the rising moon fall of Lord Shiva. The rare phenomenon occurs only in Thingalur and not any where else. Pujas performed on full moon days and every Mondays and very special in the temple. Chandra Bhagavan whose dress is white and his grains were paddy and raw rice. He has to be offered with raw rice pudding mixed with jaggery, white flowers and white clothing is believed that this puja will remove obstacles in the native's life.

The presiding deity, Sri Vaidyanathaswamy, is hailed as the healer of all ills. The Lord came here as a Vaidya and cured Angaraha of leprosy. Among the Navagrahas, Angaraha is worshipped here with great reverence. Hence this shrine is also known as Angaraha Kshetra. Jatayu, Rig Veda, Muruga and Surya worshipped the Lord here. The temple is located in Vaitheeswaran Koil near Sirkali, in Tamil Nadu

Thiruvenkadu, one of the navagraha sthalams, is the Budhan sthalam dedicated to Planet Mercury.  Thiruvenkadu’s Sanskrit name is Shwetaranya and both literally mean – sacred white forest. This is also called Adhi Chidambaram and the Chidambara Rahasyam is also here. As seen in Chidambaram, Vishnu is near Nataraja. It is situated 15 kilometers away from Vaitheeswaran Koil, on the Sirkali – Poompuhar road. Here the Lord is Shwetaranyeswarar and His consort is Brahma Vidyambal.  Indran, Airavatam, Budhan, Suryan and Chandran are said to have worshipped Shiva here. Thiruvenkadu is one of the six places considered to be equivalent to Kasi.  The other five are  Rameswaram, Srivanchiyam, Gaya, Thiriveni Sangamam & Thilatharpanapuri.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple, the sthalam of Guru Bagavan is Alangudi, It is located in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, India. Alangudi is 17 kms away from Kumbakonam enroute to Mannargudi.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE: The Devas, when churning the parkadal (sea of milk) for nectar, were hindered by the poisLord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham) , thus giving rise to the name Alangudi to this sthalam and the Lord came to be called as Aabathsagayar. Lord Ganesa subdued Gajamuhasuran who gave the Devas a horrid time and he thus he is worshipped in this sthalam as 'Kalangaamal kaatha Vinayagar'. Ambal undertook severe penance and married Lord Siva and hence this place is hailed as Thirumana Mangalam. This sthalam is the Parivara sthalam for Madhyarjuna Mahalinga Peruman. This is the fourth amongst the Panchavarunya Sthalas. Vishwamithrar, Thirumal, Brahma, Lakshmi, Garuda, Ashta Thikku Balagas, Ayyanar, Veera Badrar, Mukunda Chakravarthy, Suvasanan, Sundarar have worshipped at this sthala . Lord Siva as a ferryman (boatman) was helped Sundaramurthy Swamigal to cross the river (Vettaru) which was in spate, to reach this sthalam . The boat capsized hitting a rock, on the way. Lord Siva seated on his Rishaba Vahana helped him reach the sthala safely. Sundarar received his Gnana upadesam after his darshanam of Dakshinamurthy at this sthalam .

DIVINESS OF THE TEMPLE: Fame, wealth, siblings are the beneficial aspxects of Guru. Guru is the Lord of Dhanusu and Meena Rasi and he faces South direction. Going around about Sri Dakshinamoorthy(Guru Bagavan) twenty four times and litting twenty four Ghee Deepams while worshiping is believed to absolve all guru dhoshams and bring prosperity to one's life.

The Temple is 55 kms from Kumbakonam, it's nearer to Karikkal, in Pudduchery. The place is visited by thousands to seek relief from ill effects of Saturn and especially once in 2 ½ years while Shani (Saturn) transits from one Zodiac to another.

The presiding deity is Shiva in Nataraja form, there are many legends associated with the temple, including that of king Nala, who is supposed to have been cured of the ill affects of Shani (Saturn) after he constructed the Temple and prayed here. I have noticed large number of devotes at this Temple who come from different parts of the country to offer prayers, especially those who have Shani (Saturn) passing through their Zodiac sign.