| Agniswarar Temple | |
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Agniswarar Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
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| Coordinates: | |
| Location | |
| Country: | India |
| State: | Tamil Nadu |
| District: | Thanjavur |
| Location: | Kanjanur |
| Temple Details | |
| Primary Deity: | Agniswarar(Shiva) |
| Consort: | Karpagambigai(Parvathi) |
| Temple Tank: | Agni Theertham, Parasara Theertham |
| Poets: | Appar |
| Architecture and culture | |
| Architectural styles: | Dravidian architecture |
The Agniswarar Temple is a Hindu temple in the village of Kanjanur, 18 kilometres north-east of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is Sukra (Venus). However, the main idol in the temple is that of "Agniswarar" or Shiva. In concordance with the Saivite belief that Shiva is all-pervading, Sukra is believed to be located within the stomach of the idol of Shiva.
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The temple was built by the Medieval Cholas and renovated by the kings of the Vijayanagar Empire. The temple has a 5-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple). The temple is reverred by the verses of Appar and hence referred as Padal petra stalam.
Legend is that Siva blessed Parasara muni(sage) here with cosmic dance.
Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha sthalas located in the Cauvery Delta region dedicated to planet Venus, called Sukra. Unlike other Navagraha temples, the main deity, Agniswarar in the form of lingam depicts Lord Sukra.
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