What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Agniswarar Temple?

Early medieval · Hindu · India

Agniswarar Temple

கஞ்சனூர் அக்கினீஸ்வரர் கோயில்

Kanjanur, Tamil Nadu · 11.0448°, 79.4935°

Shiva (Agniswarar)Chola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

900 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

Medieval Chola; Vijayanagar renovations

Chola

History & significance

Shiva temple northeast of Kumbakonam revered in Appar's Tevaram and counted among the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu as the shrine of Sukra (Venus), whom devotees propitiate here against the planet's malefic effects. Built by the medieval Cholas and renovated under Vijayanagar, it has a five-tiered rajagopuram and two prakarams.

Sthala katha — the legend

Shiva is said to have blessed the sage Parasara with a vision of his cosmic dance at this place, and Sukra is believed to reside within the body of the presiding deity.

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