Thingalur Chandran
Thingalur is the sthalam for Chandran. Thingal in Tamil means Chandran and hence the name Thingalur. The presiding deity is Kailasanathar and his consort is Periyanayakiamman.
When Lord Vishnu was distributing the Amrutham amongst the devas, at the behest of Sukracharya, one of the asuras in the guise of a deva consumed the nectar. Suryan and Chandran noticed this and complained to Lord Vishnu. An angry Vishnu used his chakrayudham (discus) to cut the asura into two and threw them away. The head joined with a snake’s body to become Rahu Bhagavan. The body portion kept growing because the asura had consumed Amrutham. This later joined with the head of a snake and became Kethu Bhagavan. Now, Rahu and Kethu did not forgive Suryan and Chandran. Rahu went after Chandran and started consuming 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.
There is also another interesting story pertaining to the waxing and waning periods of Chandran, which goes thus. 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 everyday. 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 Sukla Paksham 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 loosing his beauty and brightness till the New moon day or Ammavasai. This waning period of the moon is called Krishna Paksham or Theipirai.
There is another legend of Apputhi Adigal, an ardent follower of Thirunavukkarasar. Apputhi Adigal was born in Thingalur. He indulged in lot of charity and social work in his village, all in the name of Thirunavukkarasar, whom he had not even seen. Thirunavukkarasar heard about Apputhi Adigal and visited the village. Thirunavukkarasar accepted the invitation of Apputhi Adigal to have lunch at his place. Apputhi Adigal’s son died when he had gone to fetch a plantain leaf. Apputhi Adigal, going by the saying “Athithi devo bhava” put his personal sorrow behind and served food to his mentor. Thirunavukkarasar came to know about the young boy’s death and carried the corpse to Kailasanathar temple in Thingalur. Here he implored to Lord Shiva and brought him back to life.
Kailasanathar Temple, Kanjanur, Chandran Sthalam
Pooja:
Chandra Dosham causes concern in mother’s health, mental imbalance, skin and nervous disorder & jaundice. Chandran blesses his devotees who pray here with wealth, mother’s well being, wife’s happiness, prosperity, marriage and offspring. Mondays are special days for Chandran. Offering of raw rice pudding mixed with jaggery, white flowers (White Arali) and white clothing are made to Chandran here.
Recite the following mantras facing North West
Chandra Moola Mantram: Aum sram srim sraum sah chandraya namah.
Chandra Gayatri: om nisakaraya vidmahae kala nadhaya dheemahi tanno chandra: prachodayaath
Other Chandran Sthalam:
Somanatheswarar Koil at Somangalam near Chennai
Mullaivananathar temple at Thirumullaivayil near Chennai
Location:
Thingalur is off Thiruvaiyaru Kumbakonam road, about 6 kms from Thiruvaiyaru. Frequent Buses are available from Tanjore, Thiruvaiyaru and Kumbakonam. It is about 25 Kms from Tanjore.
Other Temples Nearby:
During my last visit, the priest at Vasishteswarar temple in Thenkudi Thittai informed me that Thingalur should be visited immediately after praying at Thenkudi Thittai. This is supposed to bring Chandra Guru yogam in ones horoscope. Thittai is at a distance of about 15kms from here.
Thiruvaiyaru
Ganapathy Agraharam having a Vinayakar temple which was installed by Agasthya is about 5kms from here.
Gajendra Varadhar temple at Kapisthalam is also close by.
Vaiyam Kaththa Perumal Temple at Thirukoodalur
Ayyarappar Temple, Thiruvaiyaru
Neyyadiappar Temple, Thillaisthanam
Temple Timings: 7 AM – 1 PM & 4 PM – 9 PM.
Temple Phone Numbers: 04362-262 499