Suriyanar Temple Thirumangalakudi, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur

SRI SURIYANAR TEMPLE

Thirumangalagudi, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India

God

Lord Suryanar is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Surya. Here deity is facing in West direction, Lotus on both hands accompanied by his consorts Ushadevi on the left and Chayadevi on the right.

Goddess

Goddess Ushadevi and Chayadevi are the consorts of Lord Suryanar.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to March.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 25°C during night)Average - May (36 °C during the day and 20 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (28 °C during day and 19 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Kumbakonam Bus Stand	14 KM	0435 - 2431251
Aduturai Railway Station	3 KM	139
Thanjavur Airport	68.2 KM	9585222172

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Aduturai Railway Station	3 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Thanjavur Airport	68.2 KM	9585222172

Architecture

Sri Suriyanar temple is facing in West direction. The tower of the temple is 15.5 meter in height and consists of three tiers. Dhwaja Stambham is known as Thotha Sampatnam and temple was constructed in Dravidian style of architecture. This temple Grabha Gudi resembles a chariot, you can see beautifully carved figures of horses on the four corners on the roof of the sanctum. This temple has a Surya Pushkarini, the sanctum and the Ardha mandapam are built of stone, while the rest of the shrines are brick structures.

Mandapams & Pillars : To its east lies a mandapam where one can see an idol of a horse. After worshipping Vinayagar, one has to climb steps to reach ‘Narthana Mandapam’ at Northern Side and then move towards ‘Sabanayagar Mandapam’ where one can offer prayers to ‘Urchava Moorthi’. After Sabanayagar Mandapam one can reach ‘Main Mandapam’ and offer prayers to Sri Kasiviswanathar and Smt. Visalakshi. Next to Main Mandapam, there is Maha Mandapam where Sannathi to Sun-God.

Inscriptions : The inscriptions indicates that that the temple was believed to be built in the Kulottunga Choladeva, the greatest kings of the Chola Empire who ruled in the late 11th century and early 12th century. And it was believed that those who pray at this temple, they will get rid of from their issues.

Religious Significance

Sage Kalava Muni was suffering from severe leprosy. He worshipped all the planets begging total cure. All the planets graced the Rishi with what he wanted – the cure from leprosy. Lord Brahmma strongly objected to the response of the planets to Rishis penance on the ground that in accordance with the orders of Lord Shiva, the planets were to give the effects of good and evil deeds of the individuals and that the planets had violated this rule by directly giving boons to a devotee and cursed them to suffer from leprosy themselves. The planets came down to a white wild flower jungle (Vellerukku vanam) and performed penance on Lord Shiva for relief. Lord appeaed before them and said that the place belonged to them and allowed them to grace the devotees worshipping them enduring a variety of hardships.

History

Sri Suriyanar temple was built in 1060 – 1118 by Kulottunga Choladeva and later contributed by Vijayanagara Empire.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Pooja

Name of the Pooja

Day

Timings

Persons

Duration

Price

Ushathkalam

All Days