Kanjanagaram Temple, also known as Kathra Sundareswarar
temple, is located at Kanjanagaram near Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam
District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. The shrine is
located 1 km off the Mayiladuthurai – Poompuhar State Highway 22 and is around
8 km from Mayiladuthurai.
The shivling worshipped in the temple is Swayambhu – that
which appeared on its own. Mother Goddess is worshipped here as Tungabalasthanambikai.
She holds neelothpal flower, discus, conch and a parrot called Vedamirt Keeram.
It is believed that the parrot is Lord Shiva himself. It chants the Vedas. Veda Vyasa and Suka Rishi
is said to have worshipped Mother Goddess here.
The popular belief is that the six Krittuka maidens who took
care of Lord Muruga during his birth were born here.
Kanjanagaram Temple Timings
Morning Puja Time – 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Evening Puja Time – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Kanjanagaram Temple Contact Address
Sri Kathra Sundareswarar Temple,
Kanjanagaram
Tharangambadi Taluka, Via Keezhayur,
Nagapattinam district.
Tamil Nadu
Pincode – 609 304
Legend has it that the demons under the leadership of
Padmasura and Singamukha were harassing people and sages. They prayed to
Goddess Parvati for protection. Goddess Parvati went and informed Shiva who was
in katra or gatrajyoti yoga. When Goddess Parvati interrupted the meditation,
Shiva as Katra Sundareswarar (Karthika Sundareswarar) opened his eyes and six
sparks emanated from them. They united to become Kartikeya or Muruga. He then annihilated
the demons. The place is thus associated with the origin of Krittika Nakshatra
and Muruga.
Subsidiary deities worshipped in the temple are Selva
Vinayaka, Nardana Vinayaka, Muruga, Goddess Durga, Brahma, Chandikeshwara,
Daskhinamurti, Nandi and Navgrahas. Sattanadha is worshiped in a shrine about the
sanctum sanctorum vimana of Kathra
Sundareswarar.
An important puja performed here is sumangali puja for early
marriage. It is also believed that having darshan of Mother Goddess and her
parrot on Fridays will speedup marriage related matters.