Kailasanathar Temple, Thingaloor - Info, Timings, Puja Details, Photos, History

The Kailasanathar Temple is one of the nine Navagrahasthalas located at Thingaloor which is about 8 km from Tiruvaiyaru near Thanjavur in Tamilnadu.. The presiding deity is Soma (moon). However, the main idol in the temple is that of “Kailasanathar” or Shiva.

This Chandra NavagrahaStalam Thingaloor is named after the Tamil word, ‘Thingal’, which means Chandra or Moon. As most of the other Navagraha Temples of Tamilnadu, Kailasanathar Temple is also a Shiva Stalam and the main deities worshipped here are Kailasanathar(Lord Shiva) and Goddess Periyanakiamman(Goddess Parvati).

Kailasanathar Temple,Thingalur,Tamil Nadu

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This ancient Shaivite shrine reflects the early Dravidian architecture. A huge Nandi is seen in the front, facing the temple. The 16-sided Shiva lingam at the main shrine is made out of black granite. A unique feature of Thingaloor Temple is that during the months of Puratasi (September – October) and Panguni (March – April), the rays of the moon fall on the Shiva Lingam. The architectural style and the decorations carved on this temple are added features.

The Kailasanathar Temple has a 5-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakaram(closed precincts of a temple). The place is revered by the verses of Appar, but since there is no mention about the deity, it is not classified as Padalpetrastalam

Thingaloor Kailasanathar Temple is about 1500 years old. This temple is constructed by Rajasimma Pallavan around 7th century.

This Chandra Sthalam is associated with the life of Tirunavukkarasar, one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints). Legend says that there lived a merchant, AppoodiAdikal, at Thingaloor, who was a devotee of Tirunavukkarasar. Appoodi Adigal had an opportunity to host the saint, when he visited Thingaloor. At the same time, his son was bitten by a venomous snake. However, the merchant continued to serve the saint without revealing the tragedy. The saint was inspired by his devotion and restored the boy’s life by singing songs in praise of Lord Shiva at this temple. This collection of ten songs came to be known as ‘Thirupathikam’.

Chandra is one of the biggest planets illuminating the sky. It is the second planet among the Navagrahas and controls 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 here that Chandran prayed to Lord Siva and got his blessings. Shiva blessed Chandran with the power to grow back to full size in 15 days after being consumed by Rahu. That is why we have the waxing and waning moon. Shiva also blessed Chandran by adorning Chandran on his forehead so that anyone who prays Shiva will have to pray Chandran.

Another story for waxing and Wanning period of chandranis, King Dakshan gave all his 27 daughters in marriage to Chandran. Those 27 wives of Chandran are the 27 stars in Tamil Calendar. As Chandran’s favourite was Rohini and he spent most of his time with her, the others complained about this to their father. King Dakshan asked Chandran to treat all of them equally, which Chandran refused. An angry Dakshan, cursed Chandran that all his beauty and brightness will disappear slowly every day. A worried Chandran, on the advice of Lord Brahma, then performed penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and adorned his forehead with the crescent-shaped Chandran. Shiva then came to be known as Chandrasekaran also. He blessed Chandran to regain his beauty and brightness slowly day by day. This waxing period of the moon is called SuklaPaksham or Valarpirai. Chandran gets back all his beauty and attains full brightness on Full moon day or pournami. From Pournami to the full moon day he again starts losing his beauty and brightness till the New moon day or Ammavasai. This waning period of the moon is called Krishna Paksham or Theipirai.

The Kailasanathar Temple is opened from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00PM to 8:00 PM on all days.

Mahashivarathri in Masi (February-March), Margazhi Tiruvadhirai (December-January), Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Tirutarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

As Lord Chandran’s color is white, he is offered with raw rice mixed with jaggery, white Arali (a flower), and white clothing. It is believed that this pooja removes obstacles in life. Besides, special pujas are performed on all full moon days.

Thingaloor Kailasanathar temple is noted for the importance of first rice feeding of the infant child known as Anna Prasanam.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

Chandra is a lunar deity known as Soma and Monday (somavar) belongs to chandra. He is the god of fertility. He is also called Nishadipati (Nisha=night; Adipathi=Lord) and Kshuparaka (one who illuminates the night).

In Hindu astrology, Chandra represents Mother, softness, sensitivity, emotions and imagination. He removes stress and sorrow and rules the mind. Chandra rules over the sign Karka (Cancer), while he is exalted in Vrishabha (Taurus) and in his fall in Vrishchika (Scorpio).Chandra is lord of 3 nakshatras viz. Rohini, Hasta and Shravana.

Chandran is the Lord of KadagaRasi and he faces the South-East direction. The AdiDevatha is water; prathyathiDevatha is Gowri; his colour is white and his vahana is white horse. The grain associated with him is paddy, rice; the flower – white arali; fabric – white cloth; gem – pearl; food – curd rice. Favorite metal is silver.

According to Hindu mythology, Chandra came out of the Palazhi (the milky ocean), when it was churned to get Amrith or the Nectar. He is identified with the Vedic god Soma.

Dosham to mother, mental retardation, skin and nerve problems, jaundice, fluidaccumalation are the diseases caused because of Chandra dosham. By praying to Lord Chandran, the above afflictions can be overcome. Wealth, mother’s/wife’s happiness, Govt’s help, ownership of vehicle, marriage, offsprings, prosperity, foreign travel will be bestowed on his devotees.

Nearest Major Town/City

Tanjore – 18 km from Tanjore to Thingaloor

By Train

Nearest railway station Kumbakonam 35km

By Road

Buses available from Kumbakonam, can be reached in 50 minutes of time (35km)

By Air

Nearest airport is Trichirapalli (58 km)